Bullous Syphiloderm (Synonyms: Syphilodermabullosum; Syph­
ilis cutanea bullosa; Pemphigus syphiliticus).—The bullous syphiloderm
of acquired syphilis is extremely rare,—so much so that its existence
has been denied,—although it is not unusual in the hereditary disease
(q. v.) in the newborn. Its occurrence in the acquired disease, though
rare, cannot, however, be denied. It is a late manifestation, occurring
in those in a depraved condition of health, which latter itself may be due
to the syphilitic poison, as this syphiloderm is to be considered as indi­
cative of a grave type. It is commonly associated with other eruptive
lesions and symptoms of syphilis. It appears in the form of discrete,
disseminated, rarely abundant, rounded or ovalish, pea- to walnut-
sized, partially or fully distended blebs, having usually cloudy or puriform
contents, sometimes with a slight admixture of blood. In some instances
they are distinctly pustular from the beginning. The lesions have a
dark or dusky red areola, and commonly with variable infiltration.
They, either with or without rupturing, collapse and dry to thick crusts
of a yellowish-brown or dark, greenish-black color, with an irregular
and uneven surface, flattened or somewhat rounded and conic The
underlying surface is eroded or ulcerated, generally the latter, which
may be superficial or deep, and secrete a greenish-yellow fluid. There
is sometimes the same tendency displayed in this manifestation to the
formation of stratified or oyster-shell-like conic crusts (rupia), as described
in the large flat pustular syphiloderm (q. v.). Its course is somewhat
uncertain and variable, but it is favorably influenced, although usually
slowly, by specific and properly associated treatment.

The diagnosis in bullous syphiloderm, owing to the characters of
the lesions, the crusts, underlying base, and usual peripheral infiltration,
as well as to the presence of additional symptoms of syphilis, either
cutaneous or other, is not difficult, and such factors are, as a rule, suffi-

SYPHILIS                                             803

cient to distinguish it from ordinary pemphigus and other pemphigoid
eruptions.

But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy!

Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.