Pityriasis Alba Information - Symptoms and Treatment

Pityriasis alba is a common type of skin disroder which effects the people of younger age.This rash is characterized by patches of lighter skin mainly on the face, although the neck, upper chest, and arms are sometimes involved. 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.Several round or oval slightly scaly pink patches appear, leaving pale marks when the redness has faded.

What are the causes of Pityriasis Alba ?

Causes of Pityriasis Alba includes:

• The cause of pityriasis alba is unknown.
• Pityriasis alba often becomes more noticeable after sun exposure.
• No definitive etiologic agent has been described.
• Hypopigmentation may occur in other disorders, such as those caused by fungi (eg, tinea versicolor)
• Dry skin is also one of the possible cause.
• Pityriasis Alba will clear up after a few months, or in some cases persist two or three years. The colour gradually returns completely to normal.

Symptoms of Pityriasis Alba

Symptoms of Pityriasis Alba includes:

• Oval patches on face
• Fine scale
• Several round or oval slightly scaly pink patches
• Location -- face, outer upper arms, neck and upper trunk
• Lesions don't tan during the summer
• May redden quickly in the sun

Treatment of Pityriasis Alba

Treatment of Pityriasis Alba inlcudes:

• No treatment is needed as it goes off automatically after a few months to years.
• Moisturisers
• Daily lubrication with a good moisturizer (such as Aquaphor)
• Steroid cream
• One percent hydrocortisone cream available over the counter should be applied once to twice a day to the affected areas.
• 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.

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