TLDR Rituximab treatment led to complete hair regrowth and improved skin in a woman with pemphigus foliaceus.
This case report discusses a 61-year-old African American woman with pemphigus foliaceus (PF), an autoimmune blistering disease, who presented with severe non-scarring alopecia and skin lesions. Despite initial treatment with mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone, her condition did not improve, leading to the introduction of intravenous rituximab. This treatment resulted in significant improvement of skin lesions and complete hair regrowth after 12 months. The study highlights the importance of recognizing alopecia as a significant, though rare, complication of PF, which can profoundly affect patients' quality of life. The sparing of the hair follicle bulge area from antibodies may explain the potential for hair regrowth post-treatment. Regular scalp evaluations are recommended for early detection and intervention.
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