Pityriasis Alba is a type of skin problem (non cancerous) marked by scaly patches on the affected area of the skin. It very often attacks children and sometimes it is found on adults also. The characteristic feature of this skin disorder is it changes the color of the skin causing hypo pigmentation after lesions are formed on the skin. When the lesions wade off, the skin color gets back to normal.
Pityriasis Alba causing lesions exist in the body ranging from two months to years together. Hence it can be a chronic disorder for many people. This disorder occurs in individuals who are affected with atopic dermatitis.
Symptoms :
The lesions or scaly patches are more or less round or oval shaped and it varies in size from 1cm to 5cm in diameter. Generally these lesions occur in groups forming cluster of 10-20 or sometimes even more. The scaly patches are adherent and occur in the face most of the time. It largely affects the areas like cheeks, chin and mouth of children.
Sometimes it may also develop on neck and arms causing embarrassment to the affected person. Very rarely it is seen on the limbs and trunk region in some adults. The lesions are dark and they form it changes the color of the skin causing hypo pigmentation.
Read more on Skin Cancer Symptoms
Pityriasis Alba Causes :
The exact cause that is responsible for causing lesions is not known. But factors like heat, wearing abrasive clothing, working in extreme temperatures, smoking and stress can cause pityriasis alba in adults. Children are at the risk of getting these lesions and it affects both boys and girls. Very often it is found in the age group of 4-15. It will stay on the body but slowly disappear when the child attains puberty stage. Children with pre-history of asthma, eczema and dryness of skin are more prone to get this infection than others.
Having dry skin complexion can worsen the situation causing more number of lesions and it gets triggered when working in cold environment. The color of the lesions is often dark and working in intense sunlight can increase the intensity of the disorder.
Diagnoses :
Your doctor may scrape some minute part of the scales or patches and test the same under the microscope to rule out any infection caused by fungus or yeast. If the test turns negative, it indicates there is no yeast infection and pityriasis alba is confirmed.
Read more on Scaly Skin Patches
Pictures of Pityriasis Alba :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Pityriasis Alba
Treatment :
No medical care can cure the symptoms and since this skin disorder is benign (non cancerous) many people ignore taking treatment. Over the counter corticosteroid lotions or creams can be beneficial to treat lesions caused by pityriasis Alba. Some doctors recommend taking Ultraviolet therapy for reducing the strength of lesions. Desonide or emollient lotion is prescribed for curing erythema scale or patches. You can use mild coal tar for treating lesions on the trunk. Alternatively you can also apply tacrolimus lotion and pimecrolimus cream for treating pityriasis Alba.
Home care includes taking good care of your skin and staying away from dry climate and hot sunny areas. You should avoid the factors that increase dryness in your skin which may intensify the problem. In case you need to go out in sunlight, you should use sunscreen lotion liberally to protect your face and arms from getting tanned.