Normal anagen effluvium as the presenting sign of pemphigus vulgaris: A case report

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized, histologically, by intraepidermal blisters, and immunopathologically, by the bound and circulating IgG directed to the epithelial desmosomes. In the majority of patients, painful mucous membrane erosions, especially in the oral cavity, are the presenting sign. The hair follicle is also a preferential target for pemphigus autoantibodies as the desmosomal proteins are overexpressed in follicular epithelium. We herein report a case of pemphigus vulgaris presenting with normal anagen effluvium.