BULLOUS PEMPHIGUOID

A disease characterized by tense blistering eruptions of the skin. caused by antibodies abnormally accumulating in a layer of the skin called the "basement membrane." Can be chronic and mild without affecting the general health. It is diagnosed by skin biopsy showing the abnormal antibodies deposited in the skin layer. Treatment is with topical cortisone creams, but sometimes requires high doses of cortisone ("steroids") taken internally.