Causes and Treatment for Pityriasis Alba

Pityriasis alba is a queer type of skin abnormality.



The skin disorder is sometimes referred to as a mild form of the dermatitis family although some medical experts it may not be a part of the dermatitis family; however there is no known cause that really points to any factor triggering the disorder, which could be an explanation for the blurred lines between the classification with the dermatitis or the Pityriasis family.

Due to its hypo-pigmentation nature, Pityriasis alba is also confused with vitiligo.



Pityriasis alba can be discerned from vitiligo due to the borderlines of the rash. The patches in vitiligo have a very distinguishable edge with an acute line that demarcates the normal skin from the lighter-colored skin.

Pityriasis alba is an unknown form of dermatitis with unknown causes that leave behind reddish non-inflammatory scaly patches. Eventually the patches transform to become areas of hypo pigmentation.

In most cases Pityriasis alba occurs in hot winter months and is also seen during dry winters. The patches of Pityriasis alba when visible during the summer months stand out against the color of the skin in children who have a dark skinned complexion.

The patches do not tend to tan along with the rest of the skin color and as such are obvious due to its light pink or light-than-skin colored appearance. Fortunately Pityriasis alba is known to clear up in its own in most of the cases with proper treatment, However is a few cases, it has been reported that although the patches clear up in a few months they recur with a few years gap.

As these patches are formed, the borders are not clearly observed as the light colored skin blends well into the normal skin. Some forms of patches resemble a fine powdery covering over it like a type of light dust. The skin disorder is neither infectious nor contagious and is certainly not dangerous.

Moisturizing creams and lotions greatly help to improve the dry patches and may also aid in bringing back normal color to the skin. If the patient complains of itchiness, which is rare, then a mild steroid application may be prescribed to be put on the patches for a few days.

In extremely rare cases some severe forms of Pityriasis alba may need to be treated with PUVA therapy. PUVA also known as photo chemotherapy is a form of ultraviolet radiation treatment or phototherapy which is sued when the skin condition cannot be treated by topical applications or when the skin condition gets extremely severe.