TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.

Next Prev

Diseases » Pemphigus Vulgaris » Glossary

Glossary for Pemphigus Vulgaris

Autoimmune diseases: A group of disorders in which the primary cause is the an inflammatory reaction caused by the body's own immune system attacking tissues
Benign mucosal pemphigoid: A rare chronic disease involving blistering and scarring of the mucous membranes especially in the mouth and conjunctiva of the eye.
Blisters: Blistering of the skin.
Bullous Pemphigoid: A chronic skin disorder characterized blistering of the skin which usually occurs on the joints, abdomen, armpit and groin areas.
Contact dermatitis: Skin reaction to an irritant
Death: The cessation of life
Dermatitis herpetiformis: Blistering skin rash of elbows, knees, and buttocks.
Eosinophilia: This is when there is an abnormal increase in the eosinophils in the blood
Epidermolysis bullosa: A group of rare inherited skin diseases characterized by fragile skin which forms blisters with even minor injuries. The blisters can be painful and can occur anywhere on the skin and even inside the digestive tract.
Erythema multiforme: An allergic inflammatory skin disorder which has a variety of causes and results in skin and mucous membrane lesions that affect mainly the hands, forearms, feet, mouth nose and genitals.
Gestational pemphigoid: A rare autoimmune skin blistering disorder that occurs during pregnancy onset during second trimester with severe form recurring after delivery during menstruation.
Graft-versus-host disease: A disease characterised by an immune response as a result of a transplantation or transfusion resulting in a widespread systemic inflammatory response
Linear IgA dermatosis: A rare autoimmune skin condition characterized by blistered skin. The condition may occur after using certain drugs, following infection or there may be no apparent cause. It tends to occur in the non-reproductive years and most often affects the limbs, face or genital regions but may occur anywhere. The blisters may occur separately, in clusters or various other formations.
Mouth lesions: A condition which is characterized by lesions located in the mouth
Oral lichen planus: An inflammatory condition involving the mucous lining inside the mouth, including the lips, tongue, gums and throat.
Pemphigus: A rare group of autoimmune skin disorders where blisters or raw sores develop on the skin and mucous membranes. The bodies immune system destroys proteins the hold skin cells together resulting in blistering. The condition can be life-threatening if untreated.
Pemphigus Foliaceus: A relatively milder form of the autoimmune skin disorder called pemphigus. Blisters occur on the skin but usually the mucous membranes are unaffected.
Polycythemia vera: A condition which is characterized by myeloproliferation of unknown etiology
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A rare metabolic condition involving a deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. This results in a buildup of porphyrins in the skin which makes it sensitive to light. Most symptoms tend to primarily affected the areas of skin most exposed to sun e.g. back of hands and arms.
Rash: A reaction to the exposure of the skin to an allergen
Skin conditions: Any condition that affects the skin