What Is Pityriasis Alba?
Symptoms of Pityriasis Alba
Pityriasis alba causes lightly colored or white spots on the skin.
Most often, they are found on the cheeks.
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But they can also show up on the neck, chest, back, and upper arms.
During the summer, the spots can be easier to see when other skin is tanned.
The lesions aren’t painful, but they might be mildly itchy.
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It may also happen if you use too much topical corticosteroids when treatingeczema.
This can cause areas of patchy rash to lighten as they heal.
Some genetic disorders are also believed to cause cutaneous hypopigmentation (loss of skin color).
This can happen whenmelanocytes, the cells that produce the skin pigment melanin, have lower activity.
Melanin makes the skin darker.
Is pityriasis alba because of a vitamin deficiency?
Limited research suggestsvitamin D deficiencymay play a role in the pathogenesis of pityriasis alba.
However, more studies are needed to support this link.
Pityriasis alba is oftenconfused withtinea versicolor, where an overgrowth of fungus on the skin causes patchy white lesions.
However, vitiligo has very distinct borders, which will help your healthcare provider to distinguish between the two.
It can often occur after a triggering event such as a sunburn.
It can then spread to the armpits, eyes, groin, genitals, navel, and rectal areas.
Pityriasis alba also develops in sun-exposed areas.
However, it isn’t clear if sun exposure triggers the condition.
Pityriasis alba can be confused with other skin conditions, like fungal skin infections or vitiligo.
A physical exam and certain diagnostic tests can help to determine what kind of skin disorder affects your child.
Does Pityriasis Alba Ever Go Away?
In most cases, pityriasis alba does go away.
Any treatment is meant to help make someone with pityriasis alba more comfortable.
The skin disorder, which may be linked to atopic dermatitis, typically clears up entirely by adulthood.
Treatment Options for Pityriasis Alba
Treatment of pityriasis alba is not always necessary.
Most cases usually resolve on their own by adulthood.
In such cases, moisturizers and other topical medications may be used to help get rid of pityriasis alba.
Even with treatment, recovery can sometimes take several months.
Good skin hygiene, in general, can help the patches heal faster.
Is Vaseline Good For Pityriasis Alba?
Vaseline may help as a moisturizer to relieve itching.
Do not apply around the eyes or on the eyelids.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors are most often used to treat eczema.
They are used off-label for pityriasis alba.
This means the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved them specifically for this purpose.
Because they are not steroids, you’ve got the option to safely use them around the eyes.
It most often affects elementary-age children.
The affected areas of skin are smallusually no bigger than an inch in diameter.
A diagnosis of pityriasis alba is based on a physical exam and skin tests.
Most often, the white spots on the skin heal on their own without treatment.
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