Colocalization of Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata: Coincidence or Consequence?
A 12-year-old boy presented to the skin outpatient department with history of depigmented areas on the scalp, face, neck, arms and legs for 5 years. He also gave a history of development of patchy loss of hair over some of these lesions for 3 years. There was no previous history of any trauma or medications. Family history was not relevant. On examination, there were depigmented macules over the scalp, forehead, eyebrows, periorbital, perioral, preauricular regions, neck, elbows, hands, feet, shins, nose, chin, hands, knees and feet [Figures and ]. Patches of hair loss were seen, limited to some of these depigmented areas over the vertex and occipital region of the scalp and eyebrows []. Other body areas were not affected by patchy hair loss. Clinically, the diagnosis of vitiligo with AA was made. On histopathological examination [] of the skin biopsy specimen obtained from the scalp, dense peribulbar infiltrate was seen in the dermis. Other features were in keeping with the diagnosis of AA. Additionally, the basal layer of the epidermis was almost devoid of pigment, [] confirming the diagnosis of vitiligo over the same site.