Cicatricial pemphigoid (CP), also known as mucous membrane pemphigoid, is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease that affects the oral, genital, and ocular mucous membranes and, less commonly, the skin. CP is almost twice as common in females as it is in males, and it is seen most frequently in older individuals.

Characterized by chronic conjunctivitis, ocular involvement in CP may lead to conjunctival injection, conjunctival and corneal scarring, and blindness. Patients may initially present with dryness and redness of eyes, eye irritation ("gritty eyes"), excessive tearing, burning, and photophobia. While this disease may begin unilaterally, it will progress to involve both eyes over time if untreated. 

In the oral cavity, CP causes painful ulcers and erosions. Involvement of other sites may lead to hoarseness (vocal cords), epistaxis (nasal mucosa), and dysphagia (esophagus). Genital involvement may lead to phimosis and vaginal scarring. See cicatricial pemphigoid for oral mucosa, genital mucosa, and skin manifestations.

This condition develops over weeks to months and results in scarring and irreversible tissue destruction. (While cicatrization is common in the larynx, eye and skin, it is uncommon in the oral mucosa.)