Behçet’s Disease

Behçet’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by recurrent mouth ulcers, genital ulcers, skin lesions, eye inflammation and vascular involvement. Relatively common along the historical Silk Road, including Türkiye, Behçet’s disease arises from an overreaction of the immune system and may affect several organ systems at once.

What Is Behçet’s Disease?

Behçet’s disease is classified as a variable-vessel vasculitis: it can inflame arteries and veins of any size. Rather than a single test, diagnosis rests on the pattern of findings over time — most typically recurrent oral aphthous ulcers occurring at least three times a year, combined with other system involvement. Onset is most often between the ages of 20 and 40, and the course tends to be more severe in young men.

Symptoms of Behçet’s Disease

• Frequently recurring canker sores in the mouth (aphthous ulcers)
• Painful genital ulcers that may heal with scarring
• Skin lesions, acne-like lesions and erythema nodosum
• Redness, pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision in the eyes
• Joint pain and swelling, most often in the knees and ankles
• Vein inflammation and clot formation
• Rarely, nervous system or gastrointestinal involvement

Symptoms typically appear in episodes: a flare lasting days to weeks is followed by a quieter period. Recognising this rhythm is an important part of diagnosis.

What Causes Behçet’s Disease?

The exact cause is not fully known. Genetic predisposition — particularly the HLA-B51 tissue type — together with an overreaction of the immune system are considered the most important factors. Environmental triggers and certain infections may play a role in the onset, but Behçet’s disease is not inherited in a simple pattern and it is not passed from person to person.

How Is Behçet’s Disease Diagnosed?

There is no single laboratory test that confirms the diagnosis. Assessment usually includes a detailed history of ulcer frequency, a full skin examination, a pathergy test, blood tests to exclude other causes of inflammation, and referral for an ophthalmological examination when eye involvement is suspected. Because the presentation overlaps with several other conditions, differential diagnosis matters: recurrent ulcers and skin lesions may also occur in allergic skin diseases, and inflammatory plaques can resemble psoriasis.

Behçet’s Disease Treatment Methods

• Medication: The disease is controlled using corticosteroids and immune-regulating drugs. Powerful immunosuppressive agents may be preferred in patients with eye involvement or vascular inflammation.
• Treatment of skin and mouth lesions: Local corticosteroid creams, antiseptic gargles and supportive treatments are applied to help canker sores and skin lesions heal.
• Eye treatment: Eye involvement can lead to serious vision loss, so early diagnosis and close cooperation with an ophthalmologist are vital.
• Lifestyle adjustments: Stress control, healthy nutrition, avoiding smoking and regular check-ups all increase the success of treatment.

Treatment is tailored to which organs are involved and how severely. A patient with mouth ulcers alone is managed very differently from one with eye or vascular involvement, which is why follow-up is planned individually.

Living With Behçet’s Disease

Most patients continue working and living normally. Keeping a simple symptom diary, attending scheduled eye examinations, protecting the skin from injury and reporting new symptoms early are the practical habits that make the largest difference. Skin findings are often the first visible sign of a flare, so a dermatology check-up is a useful early-warning step — the same is true when monitoring other chronic skin conditions such as eczema.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Behçet’s disease completely heal?

Behçet’s disease is chronic, but it can be kept under control with appropriate treatment, and flares usually become milder over the years.

Is Behçet’s disease contagious?

No. Behçet’s disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted to other people.

Which doctor should be seen for Behçet’s disease?

Diagnosis and treatment require joint follow-up by dermatology, rheumatology and ophthalmology specialists. A dermatologist is often the first point of contact, because skin and mucosal lesions usually appear first.

Can diet affect Behçet’s disease?

There is no proven cure-by-diet, but many patients notice that acidic or hard-textured foods aggravate mouth ulcers. A balanced diet supports general immune health.

Sources and Further Reading

For an international clinical overview, see DermNet — Behçet disease. This page is for information only and does not replace a medical examination.

If you have recurrent mouth ulcers together with skin or eye complaints, an early dermatological assessment is recommended. You can book an examination with Dr. Ayşe Cinkaya Kahveci for evaluation and follow-up of Behçet’s disease.