Health Care Encyclopedia
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Pityriasis albaDefinition: Pityriasis alba is a common skin disorder similar to very mild eczema, causing round or oval, colorless, finely-scaled patches of skin. These patches usually occur on the cheeks. The disorder is most common in children and adolescents. The cause is unknown. Symptoms are treated with special creams -- patches usually clear up, but may return.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Symptoms: - Small white patches
- Round or oval
- Lighter than surrounding skin (hypopigmented)
- Flat (macular) or slightly elevated
- Slight scaling with very small fine scales (may be present)
- Location -- face, outer upper arms, neck and upper trunk
- Lesions don't tan during the summer
- May redden quickly in the sun
Expectations (prognosis):
Calling your health care provider:
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| Review Date: 7/22/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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