BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPityriasis albaPityriasis alba is a common skin disorder that causes patches of light-colored (hypopigmented) areas. Causes The cause is unknown but may be linked to atopic dermatitis (eczema). The disorder is most common in children and teens. It is more noticeable in children with dark skin.Atopic dermatitisAtopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms The problem areas on the skin (lesions) often start as slightly red and scaly patches that are round or oval. They usually appear on the face, upper arms, neck, and upper middle of the body. After these lesions go away, the patches turn light-colored (hypopigmented).The patches do not tan easily. Because of this, they may get red quickly in the sun. As the skin surrounding the patches darkens normally, the patches may become more visible. Exams and Tests Your health care provider can usually diagnose the condition by looking at the skin. Tests, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), may be done to check for other skin problems. In very rare cases, a skin biopsy is done.KOHThe skin lesion KOH exam is a test to diagnose a fungal infection of the skin.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your provider may recommend the following treatments:Moisturizer Mild steroid creams Medicine, called immunomodulators, applied to the skin to reduce inflammation Treatment with ultraviolet light to control the inflammation Medicines by mouth or shots to control the dermatitis, if severe Laser treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Pityriasis alba usually goes away on its own with patches returning to normal pigment over many months. Possible Complications Patches may get sunburned when exposed to sunlight. Applying sunscreen and using other sun protection can help prevent sunburn. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if your child has patches of hypopigmented skin.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Light-related diseases and disorders of pigmentation. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 19.Patterson JW. Disorders of pigmentation. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Atopic dermatitis(Condition) Review Date: 5/31/2023 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Pityriasis albaPityriasis alba is a common skin disorder that causes patches of light-colored (hypopigmented) areas. Causes The cause is unknown but may be linked to atopic dermatitis (eczema). The disorder is most common in children and teens. It is more noticeable in children with dark skin.Atopic dermatitisAtopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms The problem areas on the skin (lesions) often start as slightly red and scaly patches that are round or oval. They usually appear on the face, upper arms, neck, and upper middle of the body. After these lesions go away, the patches turn light-colored (hypopigmented).The patches do not tan easily. Because of this, they may get red quickly in the sun. As the skin surrounding the patches darkens normally, the patches may become more visible. Exams and Tests Your health care provider can usually diagnose the condition by looking at the skin. Tests, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), may be done to check for other skin problems. In very rare cases, a skin biopsy is done.KOHThe skin lesion KOH exam is a test to diagnose a fungal infection of the skin.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your provider may recommend the following treatments:Moisturizer Mild steroid creams Medicine, called immunomodulators, applied to the skin to reduce inflammation Treatment with ultraviolet light to control the inflammation Medicines by mouth or shots to control the dermatitis, if severe Laser treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Pityriasis alba usually goes away on its own with patches returning to normal pigment over many months. Possible Complications Patches may get sunburned when exposed to sunlight. Applying sunscreen and using other sun protection can help prevent sunburn. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if your child has patches of hypopigmented skin.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Light-related diseases and disorders of pigmentation. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 19.Patterson JW. Disorders of pigmentation. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11.