Pityriasis Alba: An update on the epidemiologic features, etiopathogenesis and management

Abstract

The skin condition known as pityriasis alba (PA) is characterized by patches of lighter skin. PA most often affects children and teenagers. These lesions heal and leave behind hypopigmented patches that gradually regain their normal pigmentation. No infectious agent has been found; hence the illness is not spread from person to person. Atopic dermatitis, sun exposure, frequent bathing, hot baths, soaps, and wind, as well as low socioeconomic position and lack of personal cleanliness, all increase the likelihood of developing PA. Some researchers found low blood copper levels with iron deficiency anemia in patients with PA. When a clinical diagnosis is obtained, the skin is cared for, and the parents are educated on the disorder's benign nature. In most cases, PA improves on its own. This narrative review will concentrate on the prevalence, causes, clinical manifestations, and treatments of PA.