PITRAZIS ALBA
It is a disease that can affect other body parts, especially on the cheeks, due to a decrease in the number of melanocyte cells that give color to the skin and the number and size of melanosomes containing the melanin granules they produce.
It is observed as light white areas on the cheeks. It is accompanied by a thin dandruff. Sometimes it can be slightly red. However, the color of the hairs in the lesion area is normal. It is most often confused with the disease table called Vitiligo.
It is most commonly observed in childhood, but can also occur in adulthood. It is equally common in both sexes; However, it is more common in dark-skinned individuals.
It can accompany diseases such as atopic dermatitis or dry skin and is among the diagnostic criteria. But; Each individual with pitriasis alba lesion may not have atopic structure or atopic disease.
It becomes more prominent due to the darkening of the areas around the lesion in summer or due to the increase in dandruff and dryness in the lesion in winter.
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis is made by dermatologists. The lesions are dry and flaky, unlike vitiligo. The color of the bristles is pure. It is not sharply limited.
Vitiligo lesions are usually sharply circumscribed, ivory-white, causing whitening of the overlying hair. Moreover; It mostly affects the areas we call periorifice, such as around the eyes, mouth and nostrils in the face area.
Purple light evaluation, which we call Wood’s light, is also a method that helps in diagnosis.
Moreover; Fungal test evaluation in excessive dandruff lesions will also help us to rule out fungal disease.
What Do We Use in Treatment?
Particular attention should be paid to the use of moisturizers. It is important to be protected from the sun in summer and to prevent excessive dryness of the skin in winter. Especially in the summer season, choosing a wide-ranging hat and long clothes will be a good physical protector.
In some cases, cortisone or anti-inflammatory creams may be added.
It should be noted that this picture will often regress in a few years.
