Pityriasis Alba - Symptoms and Treatment

Pityriasis alba is a common hypopigmented dermatitis that occurs primarily in preadolescent children. Pityriasis Alba is a chronic skin disorder that affects some children usually between the ages of 6 to 12. The light colored patch seems to blend gradually into normal appearing skin. Pityriasis alba is a mild form of dermatitis of unknown cause. The disorder is most common in children and adolescents. Pityriasis alba patches are more apparent in summer, especially in dark-skinned children, because they don't tan as well as the surrounding skin. It will clear up after a few months, or in some cases persist two or three years. The rash of vitiligo has a very distinct border with a sharp line between normal and lighter-colored skin. Pityriasis alba can be distinguished from vitiligo by the border of the rash. Pityriasis alba is most noticeable in the summertime when the surrounding skin gets tanner, because it remains the same color. Pityriasis Alba is a peculiar disorder of the skin. Typically it appears as light colored patches of skin located commonly on the face, arms and trunk. It is usually seen in people under the age of thirty, very commonly children. The patches are usually asymptomatic, but occasionally they are mildly itchy. A mild form of eczema that occurs in young children and adolescents and produces mild patchy lightening and slight scaling of the skin of the face , the shoulders, or trunk. Pityriasis Alba is a common problem in practice. Pityriasis Alba mainly affects the forehead, cheeks and chin of children, to a less extent, that of adults. It is characterized by ill or well-defined, chronic patches of mild erythema, hypopigmentation and furfuraceous scaling.

Pityriasis Alba depend on the body symmetric minimally scaly hypopigmented discrete and confluent macules. It can occur at any time of the year, but is more common in cold winter and dry hot summer. Pityriasis Alba is a skin infection usually affects children and young adults and is characterized by hypopigmented, round to oval, scaling patches on the face, upper arms, neck, or shoulders. Pityriasis alba is a common skin disorder similar to very mild eczema. The patches may be occur on the cheeks. Pityriasis versicolor is a common skin complaint in which flaky discoloured patches appear mainly on the chest and back. The multiple colours arising in the disorder give rise to the second part of the name, �versicolor'. It sometimes called �tinea versicolor', although the term �tinea' should strictly refer to infection with a dermatophyte fungus . Pityriasis alba is a common skin disorder similar to very mild eczema.

Causes of Pityriasis Alba

Common Causes of Pityriasis Alba :

• Allergies.
• Family history.
• Asthma.
• Rashes on the dry skin.
• Winter months when the skin is drier.
• Disturbances.
• Including irritation and dry skin.

Symptoms of Pityriasis Alba

Some common Symptoms of Pityriasis Alba :

• Itching.
• May redden quickly in the sun.
• Scaling patches on the face, upper arms, neck.
• Lesions don't tan during the summer.
• Slightly elevated patches of fine scales over the cheeks.

Treatment of Pityriasis Alba

Some common Treatment of Pityriasis Alba :

• The topical steroid cream can be applied , in case the patches are red or itchy.
• Extensive pityriasis alba may warrant a referral to a dermatologist for possible pulsed ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy.
• The hydrocortisone cream may also help to make the patches go away more quickly.
• The use of Pragmatar ointment , Lac-Hydrin , 2% Zetar in Cordran cream gives the effective results.
• Certain lotions and moisturizers cream may help to improve the dry appearance.
• Consultation with a dermatologist usually is unnecessary. The patient's primary care provider typically provides follow-up care.
• The 0.5% hydrocortisone and 1% crude coal tar in a Zetone cream , are very useful in the treatment of pityriasis alba.

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