Association of alopecia areata, vitiligo and pemphigus vulgaris.

A 50-year-old female had vitiligo and alopecia universalis. She developed pemphigus vulgaris with a history of recent increase in the size of the vitiligo patch. Corticosteroid therapy controlled the pemphigus vulgaris, halted the extension of the vitiligo lesion and promoted regrowth of hair. The coexistence of these three diseases in the same patient lends credence to the contention that autoimmunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.