PITYRIASIS ALBA

Pityriasis alba is a common and harmless skin condition in children. It causes light-colored patches on the skin, most often on the face, but it can also appear on the arms or trunk. There may be mild dryness or a fine scale. Pityriasis alba is usually not itchy. It is more noticeable after sun exposure (as the surrounding skin tans).

What causes it? It is related to dry skin and mild eczema which interferes with color production of the skin. It is not an infection, not contagious, and not dangerous.

Will it go away? Yes. The color gradually returns to normal, but this can take months. The skin is healthy even while the color is uneven.

What not to worry about: It is not vitiligo. It does not scar. It does not mean anything serious is wrong.

Treatment and What to Expect:

• The skin color will gradually return to normal once the dryness and irritation are under control. This can take several months, so patience is important.
• Apply hydrocortisone 1% cream (a mild steroid) twice a day, especially right after washing the face or bathing, when the skin is still slightly damp. Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe a stronger steroid (such as hydrocortisone 2.5% or desonide cream) for use initially.
• Once the redness and roughness have improved (e.g. 1-2 weeks), switch to using a moisturizing cream (such as Cetaphil or Eucerin) twice a day to keep the skin soft and prevent new spots.

When to call us: If patches become very itchy, red, or thick (eczema), or if there is no improvement over time.

RegionalDerm

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