A case of chronic urticaria and vitiligo, associated with thyroiditis, treated with PUVA

A case of chronic urticaria and vitiligo, associated with thyroiditis is described. Significantly elevated thyromicrosomal antibodies were found. Autoimmune reaction is a possible cause of the patient's thyroid disease, vitiligo and chronic urticaria. Following PUVA treatment with a total dose of 300 J/cm2 the patient's urticaria subsided in all irradiated areas, only to relapse 2 weeks later. Subsequently courses of PUVA gave periods of remission. The treatment also induced repigmentation in the vitiliginous spots. The results indicate a local PUVA effect upon mediators or mediator-containing cells.