Pitiriasis alba is a skin problem that causes pink or reddish spots on the skin, which disappear and leave a lighter spot.This problem mainly affects dark-skinned young children and adults, but can occur at any age and age.
A specific cause of appearance of pitiriasis alba is not yet known, but it is not hereditary and therefore, if there is a case in the family, it does not mean that other people may have it.
- Pitiriasis alba is often curable.
- Disappearing naturally.
- However.
- Light spots can remain on the skin for a few years and worsen during the summer due to the tanning process.
The most characteristic symptom of pitiriasis alba is the appearance of reddish round spots that disappear within a few weeks and leave lighter spots on the skin; these spots most often appear in places such as:
Imperfections may be easier to detect during the summer, when the skin is tanned more, so some people may not even notice the spots for the rest of the year.
In addition, in some people, pitiriasis alba spots may eventually break off and appear drier than the rest of the skin, especially during the winter.
The diagnosis of pitiriasis alba is usually made by a dermatologist only by observing the spots and evaluating the history of symptoms, without requiring any more specific test or examination.
There is no specific treatment for pitiriasis alba, as stains eventually go away on their own over time, however, if the spots are red for a long time, the dermatologist may prescribe a corticosteroid ointment, such as hydrocortisone, to reduce inflammation and relieve redness.
In addition, if stains dry out, a type of moisturizer may be applied to extremely dry skin, such as Nivea, Neutrogena or Dove, for example.
During the summer, it is also advisable to apply sunscreen, with a protective factor of 30 or more, on the affected skin whenever it is necessary to be exposed to the sun, to prevent the spots from being too marked.
There is no specific cause for pitiriasis alba, but it is believed to be due to small inflammation of the skin and is not contagious.Anyone can develop pitiriasis, even if they don’t have a history of skin problems.