Pityriasis alba is a common skin disorder that causes light-colored patches on the face, neck, or arms in young people. It is usually harmless and can be treated with over-the-counter moisturizers, but severe cases may require prescription corticosteroids. The causes are unknown, and it typically disappears by early adulthood.
Pityriasis alba is a skin disease that mainly affects people under the age of 20. Round patches of rough, light-colored skin appear on the face, neck, or arms, but they typically don’t lead to unpleasant symptoms. The spots can persist for many months and tend to disappear completely by early adulthood. In most cases, pityriasis alba can be treated with over-the-counter facial moisturizers. If the spots become scaly or don’t go away after several months, an individual can get prescription topical corticosteroids from a dermatologist.
The causes of pityriasis alba are not well understood by doctors. Research does not indicate that any specific genetic or environmental conditions predispose individuals to develop the disorder. It is one of the most common skin disorders; about five percent of young people worldwide experience obvious cases. It is more prevalent in darker-skinned children and adolescents, and both boys and girls tend to be affected at about the same rate.
Pityriasis alba usually manifests as up to 20 small white patches of skin. The rounded spots can appear on the cheeks, neck, arms, or shoulders. Most cases of pityriasis alba don’t cause pain or irritation, although if the skin is excessively dry, the patches can become red, scaly, and itchy. Flaky skin can begin to flake off when exposed to direct sunlight and high temperatures for extended periods of time.
The condition is typically short-lived, as the patches usually wear off in one to six months. Also, very few people over the age of 20 experience recurring cases of pityriasis alba. Treatment is typically not necessary as most people have no adverse symptoms. In order to improve the skin’s appearance or reduce dryness, however, a person may choose to apply an over-the-counter skin lotion or moisturizers. Keeping your skin hydrated and oil-free can promote faster healing and the disappearance of blemishes.
Some children and adolescents have severe cases of pityriasis alba that persist for years or recur frequently. If the white spots are not affected by moisturizers, an individual can visit a dermatologist for a thorough exam and diagnosis. Your dermatologist can conduct a physical exam and take a biopsy of skin tissue to check for more serious skin disorders or cancer. Treatment usually involves applying corticosteroids to the affected part of the body. Many patients are prescribed a topical hydrocortisone cream to apply to the patches daily until they disappear.
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