Pityriasis Alba - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Pityriasis Alba is also known as pityriasis streptogenes. It is a chronic skin disorder that affects some children usually between the ages of 6 to 12. Occasionally it affects young adults. Several round or oval slightly scaly pink patches appear, leaving pale marks when the redness has faded. . The borders of the rash are not clearly visible. The light colored patch seems to blend gradually into normal appearing skin. Sometimes the rash is covered by very fine skin flakes resembling a light dust. As a rule, pityriasis is asymptomatic. However, there may be mild pruritis. The disease occurs chiefly in children and teenagers. The cause is unknown. Excessively dry skin following exposure to strong sunlight appears to be contributory. Sometimes the rash is covered by very fine skin flakes resembling a light dust. The patches are usually asymptomatic, but occasionally they are mildly itchy. Pityriasis Alba is often more noticeable during the summer.

Causes

1. Pityriasis Alba is a mild inflammatory disease of the skin of unknown cause.
2. It is frequently seen in people who have a personal or family history of asthma, allergies, or atopic eczema. This might be a reason for this disease.
3. Excessively dry skin following exposure to strong sunlight may be contributory in causing this disease.
4. The other cause may be infection. The infection may be of bacterial, viral, or fungal. The role of the infection is either in causing it or it surely makes the condition severe.
5. Some cosmetic creams and ointments are also found creating some conditions of this disease.

Symptoms

1. This is a mild, inflammatory exanthem of unknown origin, characterized by salmon-colored papular and macular lesions that are at first discrete but may become confluent.
2. The incidence is highest between the ages of 3 and 16 years.
3. The disease is most prevalent in the spring and autumn.
4. It usually occurs on face, outer upper arms, neck and upper trunk. Although it may occur anywhere on body.
5. Pityriasis alba appears as superficial, pale pink to light brown macules.
6. There may present scaling with very small fine scales on face.
7. It is more obvious in dark-skinned individuals.

Treatment

1. Treatment of the rash is not necessary since it will resolve on its own. The treatment may be just reduced the itch and inflammation if any.
2. Cover-up makeup can be used over very light or white areas.
3. 0.5% hydrocortisone and 1% crude coal tar in a cream base, half-strength Pragmatar ointment, Lac-Hydrin, 2% Zetar in Cordran cream, or 1% Vioform cream are recommended in this disease.
4. A moisturizing cream may improve the dry skin appearance.
5. The disorder is treated symptomatically with special creams and after usage patches usually clear but the symptoms may return. The condition often goes away by itself after a few months to years
6. If the patches are red or itchy, a mild topical steroid cream can be applied for a few days. Pimecrolimus cream has also been reported to be effective.