Pityriasis alba is a harmless and common childhood skin condition of patches of lighter skin color.
What is the cause?
Doctors don’t know what causes this skin condition. It may have to do with dry skin or chemicals that come into contact with the skin.
The lighter patches of skin are more common in the summer, but they can happen at any time of year.
What are the symptoms?
Your child has areas of lighter skin color on the face and sometimes on the neck, upper part of the chest, or arms. These patches of skin are dry and scaly.
Your child has areas of lighter skin color on the face and sometimes on the neck, upper part of the chest, or arms. These patches of skin are dry and scaly.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will examine your child and check for other skin diseases that might cause the patches.
Your healthcare provider will examine your child and check for other skin diseases that might cause the patches.
How is it treated?
Your child’s skin color will gradually go back to normal after several weeks without treatment. Lotions and moisturizers may help. Nonprescription hydrocortisone cream may also help the patches go away more quickly. Don’t use hydrocortisone cream on the face for long periods of time (months) without first talking with your healthcare provider.
Your child’s skin color will gradually go back to normal after several weeks without treatment. Lotions and moisturizers may help. Nonprescription hydrocortisone cream may also help the patches go away more quickly. Don’t use hydrocortisone cream on the face for long periods of time (months) without first talking with your healthcare provider.
How can I take care of my child?
Once the skin is back to its normal color, use skin lotions and moisturizers to help lower the chance that the patches will return.
Ask your healthcare provider:
how and when you will hear your child’s test results
how long it will take your child to recover from this condition
how to take care of your child at home
what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if your child has them
Make sure you know when you should bring your child back for a checkup.
Written by Robert Brayden, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
