Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Pityriasis Alba?SymptomsCausesDiagnosisDoes Pityriasis Alba Ever Go Away?Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Pityriasis Alba?
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Does Pityriasis Alba Ever Go Away?
Treatment
Although thewhite patchesusually go away on their own, your healthcare provider can prescribe moisturizers or other topical treatments to ease symptoms.
Pityriasis alba is a commonskin disorderaffecting approximately 5% of children in the United States.The disorder typically presents before puberty in children between the ages of one and 14. It is benign, meaning that it is non-cancerous and will not spread or cause problems in other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Pityriasis Alba
Pityriasis alba causes lightly colored or white spots on the skin. Most often, they are found on the cheeks. But they can also show up on the neck, chest, back, and upper arms. Symptoms include:
The patches themselves are often raised and may be scaly.The scaliness is most noticeable during the winter months when the air is drier. 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.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPityriasis alba.DermNet/CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet/CC BY-NC-ND
It’s not clear what triggers pityriasis alba, but researchers think it may be related to other skin conditions. For example, it is thought that when a case ofdermatitis(skin irritation) heals, it may leave behind a lighter patch of skin.
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.
Limited research suggestsvitamin D deficiencymay play a role in the pathogenesis of pityriasis alba. However, more studies are needed to support this link.
How Pityriasis Alba Is Diagnosed
Pityriasis alba is oftenconfused withtinea versicolor, where an overgrowth of fungus on the skin causes patchy white lesions. However, there are several ways to distinguish between the two disorders:
Pityriasis alba can also be confused withvitiligo, an autoimmune disease where pigment is lost in some patches of skin. However, vitiligo has very distinct borders, which will help your healthcare provider to distinguish between the two.
Pityriasis AlbaSofter, blurred bordersPatches are lighter than surrounding skin, but not completely depigmentedSmaller affected areasVitiligoVery distinct bordersPatches are typically stark-white in color (complete loss of pigmentation)Larger affected areas
Pityriasis AlbaSofter, blurred bordersPatches are lighter than surrounding skin, but not completely depigmentedSmaller affected areas
Softer, blurred borders
Patches are lighter than surrounding skin, but not completely depigmented
Smaller affected areas
VitiligoVery distinct bordersPatches are typically stark-white in color (complete loss of pigmentation)Larger affected areas
Very distinct borders
Patches are typically stark-white in color (complete loss of pigmentation)
Larger affected areas
Vitiligo patches appear first on sun-exposed parts of the body. 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.
In most cases, pityriasis alba does go away. The light-colored or white spots on the face of children usually fade on their own in a matter of months.
Treatment Options for Pityriasis Alba
Still, many parents choose to treat it for cosmetic reasons, especially if their child is self-conscious about their skin. 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. Your child should avoid tanning (natural or artificial) and consistently use sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) to speed healing.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers that contain petrolatum, mineral oil, squalane, or dimethicone can help soften the skin and reduce scaliness, especially on the face. Brands that are effective, inexpensive, and easy to find include:
You may also ask your physician for recommendations. 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. However, if the condition is severe, your healthcare provider may recommend Protopic (tacrolimus) ointment as treatment.One study, comparing tacrolimus and two other ointments with Vaseline (petrolatum), found Vaseline offered no benefit in treating pityriasis abla redness and scaly patches compared with the other treatments.
Is Vaseline Good For Pityriasis Alba?
Vaseline may help as a moisturizer to relieve itching. However, if the condition is severe, your healthcare provider may recommend Protopic (tacrolimus) ointment as treatment.One study, comparing tacrolimus and two other ointments with Vaseline (petrolatum), found Vaseline offered no benefit in treating pityriasis abla redness and scaly patches compared with the other treatments.
Over-the-Counter Hydrocortisone
You can use an over-the-counter (OTC) 1% hydrocortisone cream (topical steroid) sparingly if there is itchiness.However, care should be taken whenusing hydrocortisone on the face.
Do not apply around the eyes or on the eyelids. Don’t use OTC hydrocortisone for more than four weeks continuously unless you are following your healthcare provider’s advice.
Because children are more vulnerable to side effects, ask your healthcare provider before applying hydrocortisone on your child’s face and follow their recommendations.
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors
Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus) are non-steroidal medications that may be prescribed to clear the rash.They aren’t often needed but are sometimes suggested in more severe cases.
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 can safely use them around the eyes.
Summary
Pityriasis alba is a condition in which patches of skin lose pigmentation and are lighter in color than surrounding skin. It most often affects elementary-age children. The affected areas of skin are small—usually 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. But, if your child feels self-conscious, your healthcare provider may advise treating the patches with moisturizers or other topical medications to speed the healing process.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Siegfried E, Herbert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med.2015;4(5): 884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884Ramam S, Neelima B, Jyothi B, Raja BB, Sanjay MD, Sailaja GL.An updated review on pityriasis alba.World J Pharm Res.2014;3(6):2162-2171.Lv Y, Gao Y, Lan N, et al.Analysis of epidemic characteristics and related pathogenic factors of 2726 cases of pityriasis alba.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:203-209. doi:10.2147/CCID.S345106Mount Sinai.Pityriasis alba.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(12):797-804.Kattoof WM, Kawen AA.Assessment of vitamin D status among cases with pityriasis alba.TODJ. 2019;13(1):19-22. doi:10.2174/1874372201913010019Chen XY, Xiao J, Ji XW, Gao HM, Zhong LS.Assessment of serum vitamin d levels in children with pityriasis alba: a retrospective study.International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 2023;6(1):40-42. doi:10.1097/JD9.0000000000000203Miazek N, Michalek I, Pawlowska-Kisiel M, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L.Pityriasis alba–common disease, enigmatic entity: up-to-date review of the literature.Pediatr Dermatol.2015;32(6):786-91. doi:10.1111/pde.12683American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityriasis alba.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(12):797-804.Abdel-Wahab HM, Ragaie MH.Pityriasis alba: toward an effective treatment.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(4):2285-2289. doi:10.1080/09546634.2021.1959014.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Siegfried E, Herbert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med.2015;4(5): 884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884Ramam S, Neelima B, Jyothi B, Raja BB, Sanjay MD, Sailaja GL.An updated review on pityriasis alba.World J Pharm Res.2014;3(6):2162-2171.Lv Y, Gao Y, Lan N, et al.Analysis of epidemic characteristics and related pathogenic factors of 2726 cases of pityriasis alba.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:203-209. doi:10.2147/CCID.S345106Mount Sinai.Pityriasis alba.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(12):797-804.Kattoof WM, Kawen AA.Assessment of vitamin D status among cases with pityriasis alba.TODJ. 2019;13(1):19-22. doi:10.2174/1874372201913010019Chen XY, Xiao J, Ji XW, Gao HM, Zhong LS.Assessment of serum vitamin d levels in children with pityriasis alba: a retrospective study.International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 2023;6(1):40-42. doi:10.1097/JD9.0000000000000203Miazek N, Michalek I, Pawlowska-Kisiel M, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L.Pityriasis alba–common disease, enigmatic entity: up-to-date review of the literature.Pediatr Dermatol.2015;32(6):786-91. doi:10.1111/pde.12683American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityriasis alba.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(12):797-804.Abdel-Wahab HM, Ragaie MH.Pityriasis alba: toward an effective treatment.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(4):2285-2289. doi:10.1080/09546634.2021.1959014.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Siegfried E, Herbert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med.2015;4(5): 884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884Ramam S, Neelima B, Jyothi B, Raja BB, Sanjay MD, Sailaja GL.An updated review on pityriasis alba.World J Pharm Res.2014;3(6):2162-2171.Lv Y, Gao Y, Lan N, et al.Analysis of epidemic characteristics and related pathogenic factors of 2726 cases of pityriasis alba.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:203-209. doi:10.2147/CCID.S345106Mount Sinai.Pityriasis alba.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(12):797-804.Kattoof WM, Kawen AA.Assessment of vitamin D status among cases with pityriasis alba.TODJ. 2019;13(1):19-22. doi:10.2174/1874372201913010019Chen XY, Xiao J, Ji XW, Gao HM, Zhong LS.Assessment of serum vitamin d levels in children with pityriasis alba: a retrospective study.International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 2023;6(1):40-42. doi:10.1097/JD9.0000000000000203Miazek N, Michalek I, Pawlowska-Kisiel M, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L.Pityriasis alba–common disease, enigmatic entity: up-to-date review of the literature.Pediatr Dermatol.2015;32(6):786-91. doi:10.1111/pde.12683American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityriasis alba.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(12):797-804.Abdel-Wahab HM, Ragaie MH.Pityriasis alba: toward an effective treatment.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(4):2285-2289. doi:10.1080/09546634.2021.1959014.
Siegfried E, Herbert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med.2015;4(5): 884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884
Ramam S, Neelima B, Jyothi B, Raja BB, Sanjay MD, Sailaja GL.An updated review on pityriasis alba.World J Pharm Res.2014;3(6):2162-2171.
Lv Y, Gao Y, Lan N, et al.Analysis of epidemic characteristics and related pathogenic factors of 2726 cases of pityriasis alba.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:203-209. doi:10.2147/CCID.S345106
Mount Sinai.Pityriasis alba.
Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(12):797-804.
Kattoof WM, Kawen AA.Assessment of vitamin D status among cases with pityriasis alba.TODJ. 2019;13(1):19-22. doi:10.2174/1874372201913010019
Chen XY, Xiao J, Ji XW, Gao HM, Zhong LS.Assessment of serum vitamin d levels in children with pityriasis alba: a retrospective study.International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 2023;6(1):40-42. doi:10.1097/JD9.0000000000000203
Miazek N, Michalek I, Pawlowska-Kisiel M, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L.Pityriasis alba–common disease, enigmatic entity: up-to-date review of the literature.Pediatr Dermatol.2015;32(6):786-91. doi:10.1111/pde.12683
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityriasis alba.
Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(12):797-804.
Abdel-Wahab HM, Ragaie MH.Pityriasis alba: toward an effective treatment.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(4):2285-2289. doi:10.1080/09546634.2021.1959014.
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