Bullous pemphigoid in a one hundred year old woman

A 100-yr-old woman presented with eosinophilia, pruritus, and an erythematous rash which developed into a generalized bullous eruption. Histologic and immunologic examination as well as clinical course confirmed the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. The possibility of an allergic or drug-induced disease was considered because of her initial clinical and laboratory findings. Furosemide was suspected. Prior cases of bullous pemphigoid appearing after furosemide therapy were reviewed and compared. After other possible etiologies were excluded, prednisone therapy was instituted with resolution of the bullous skin lesions.