Pityriasis alba: drugs, symptoms, causes, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is pityriasis alba?

Pityriasis alba (pitiriasis alba) is a skin disease characterized by the appearance of pink or whitish scaly patches. "Pityriasis" itself means crusting of the skin, while "alba" means white.

In time, these patches will leave marks that are paler than the surrounding skin. These marks will be more obvious in people who have darker skin.

You don't need to worry about being around someone with pityriasis alba, because this disease is not transmitted to other people.

How common is this condition?

This condition is quite common in many people, both young and old. However, children and adolescents in the age range 3-16 years experience it more frequently.

If you are concerned about the risks, consult your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of pityriasis alba?

As already mentioned, the most prominent symptom of this condition is the appearance of bright red or pale pink patches on the skin.

Some are oval and round in shape, some are irregular in shape. The texture of the patches usually leaves the skin dry and scaly.

These patches generally appear on the face, upper arms, neck and chest. After a few weeks, the patches may fade and become paler. There are patches that go away completely within a few months, but some can last for several years.

The symptoms of pityriasis alba tend to recur when it is hot. The edges of the spots may turn brown when exposed to heat.

When should I see a doctor?

Talk to your doctor if you experience:

• persistent itching or red patches that make you sick and uncomfortable,
• make you worry about your appearance because of the many red patches,
• cause joint problems, such as pain, swelling or that interfere with daily activities, as well
  
• difficulty doing routine due to red spots.

Causes and risk factors

What causes pityriasis alba?

The cause of pityriasis alba is not known for sure. However, this skin disease is believed to be related to atopic dermatitis (eczema) which may be experienced by children during their early development.

Eczema occurs when the body's immune system is overworked so that it incorrectly detects normal body cells as a threat. Normally, the immune system will ignore normal body cells and only attack proteins from harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses.

However, if you have eczema, your immune system may not always be able to tell the difference between the two and instead attacks healthy cells and tissues in your body.

What are the risk factors for developing pityriasis alba?

Pityriasis alba generally occurs most often in children and adolescents. This condition is common in about 2-5% of children in the world. The most commonly seen symptoms can begin to appear when children enter the ages of 6 and 12.

Pityriasis alba has a high risk of occurring in children who have atopic dermatitis or eczema. Pityriasis alba also often appears in children who often take hot showers or who are exposed to the sun without sunscreen.

However, it is unclear whether these factors are a direct cause of the skin disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

What are the usual tests for pityriasis alba?

During the examination, the doctor will observe the symptoms that appear on your skin. The doctor will also ask about other symptoms or any medical history you have.

To make a diagnosis, sometimes the doctor will perform a biopsy, which is a procedure to take a sample of the problematic skin for further investigation in the laboratory.

What are the treatment options for pityriasis alba?

Pityriasis alba cannot be cured, sometimes the symptoms can go away on their own. However, if needed, you can use several products to help control the symptoms.

Some of the product options include:

• moisturizing products to reduce the appearance of dry skin,
• a mild topical steroid cream containing 0.5 - 1% hydrocortisone to reduce itching and redness, and
• topical medicine immunomodulators such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus to limit the immune system response which in turn reduces inflammation in the skin.

If the symptoms are more severe or do not disappear after being given the drugs above, the doctor may give oral drugs or skin therapy such as laser treatment and treatment with ultraviolet light.

In addition, you should avoid things that can trigger pityriasis alba and take medications as prescribed to control and reduce symptoms.

Remember, before using the drug, make sure you know the condition that underlies the symptoms by checking with your doctor first. In other words, you should not take the drug carelessly.

Home remedies

What home remedies can be done to treat pityriasis alba?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with pityriasis alba.

• Use the drug according to a doctor's prescription.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, including any over-the-counter medicines.
• Avoid the skin being exposed to direct sunlight. Routinely use sunscreen of at least SPF-30 every time you go out of the house, and re-apply it every 2 hours.
• Maintain good skin hygiene.
• Routinely see a doctor to check your skin condition.

If the red rash is itchy, use a 1% hydrocortisone cream, which can be used in a thin layer. Home remedies should be done painstakingly. To get to the recovery time it can sometimes take several months.

Don't forget to also avoid skin injuries and dry skin. This condition can make the symptoms worse.

In addition to reducing the risk of symptom recurrence, sunscreen functions to prevent the spots from turning dark brown and difficult to fade. Using sunscreen helps the spot color fade faster.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.