Analgesics - Drugs used to reduce pain, also called ‘painkillers’.

Antibody - A protein produced by a specific type of cell in the immune system (B cell) in response to a foreign protein (called the antigen). The antibody binds to the antigen to start off the immune response. So antibodies act like the “soldiers” of the immune system.

Autoantibody - These are antibodies made when the immune system sees bits of the body itself as ‘foreign’. These then cause the immune system to attack the person’s own body. In the case of pemphigus vulgaris, the autoantibodies attack the person’s own skin and mucous membranes.

Autoimmune disease - A disease caused by the antibodies and cells of the immune system attacking the body's own organs or tissues. In the case of pemphigus vulgaris, the immune system attacks the person’s own skin and mucous membranes.

Biopsy - This is a sample of skin is taken from a blister or lesion after first making the skin numb with an injection of local anaesthetic. The sample is then looked at under a microscope to help make the diagnosis.

Blister - A blister is where clear fluid collects within the skin.

Complete remission - When treatment is stopped completely and there are no blisters or erosions.

Desmoglein - The proteins that make up the ‘glue’ that makes the skin cells stick together.

Disease control - When treatment starts the aim is to stop any new blisters forming and to heal any existing blisters. When this has occurred, it is called ‘disease control’.

Disease suppression - This is another name for disease control.

Erosion - Erosions are areas of skin or mucous membrane where blisters have broken open and the top layer of skin is lost. They look raw and sore, like a burn.

Immune system - A group of specific cells and proteins in the body that enable it to fight infection and anything it sees as foreign that enters the body.

Lesion - Usually a general name for a blister or erosion when talking about pemphigus.

Mucous membrane - The soft, moist linings of cavities such as the mouth, nose, throat and genitals.

Remission - When symptoms are controlled or ‘suppressed’ on treatment.

Suppression - A term used by some doctors to describe remission.

Ulcer - Another term sometimes used to describe erosions.

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