In vitiligo, there is complete loss of the pigment in the skin but no other skin changes. Clues that pityriasis alba is the correct diagnosis are an incomplete loss of pigment, commonly associated with subtle skin changes of erythema and scaling within the hypopigmented patches, as seen in this patient.
This study confirmed that pityriasis alba might change into vitiligo by following findings: close association between pityriasis alba and vitiligo, high positive family history of vitiligo among patients with pityriasis alba, high percentage of pityriasis alba progressed to vitiligo and Koebner's phenomena had a high ...
skin affected by vitiligo usually has a normal texture, while areas affected by pityriasis versicolor are usually slightly scaly or flaky. vitiligo is more common around the mouth, eyes, fingers, wrists, armpits and groin, while pityriasis versicolor tends to develop on the back, chest, upper arms, neck and tummy.
Pityriasis alba is due to reduced activity of melanocytes as well as fewer and smaller melanosomes; in vitiligo, there is total loss of both melanocytes and melanosomes. In terms of distribution, vitiligo also occurs around the mouth and on the distal extremities.
Vitiligo signs include: Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals. Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.
Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.
Although the initial lesions of pityriasis alba are mildly erythematous, the erythematous stage may go unnoticed. The most common presentation is asymptomatic (or mildly pruritic), hypopigmented lesions, often on the face. The patient or family history may include atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, or asthma.
Another finding in this study is that 87.5% (14 from 16 patients) of those present with more than five patches of pityriasis alba had deficient serum level of vitamin D, which can lead us to establish a relation between the severity and extent of pityriasis alba with the deficiency of vitamin D status.
Sometimes, the skin suddenly stops making melanin. At first, this might cause a small spot, called a macule, that's lighter in color than the skin around it. In time these white patches may spread and grow to cover a larger portion of the body.
Thermal burns, inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis, or bacterial infections like leprosy may cause a reversible loss of skin color. Genetically determined diseases like piebaldism can also create distinctive patterns of milky white skin and hair, which can be mistaken for vitiligo.
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 cause of pityriasis alba is unknown. Pityriasis alba often coexists with dry skin and atopic dermatitis. It often presents following sun exposure, perhaps because tanning of surrounding skin makes affected areas more prominent.
Pityriasis alba often has a chronic course, tends to relapse, and usually worsens in the summer with increased sun exposure. It predominately occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 16 years and is found equally in both sexes.
Pityriasis alba resolves spontaneously; treatment consists primarily of trigger avoidance, good general skin care, and education of the patient's parents about the benign nature of this self-limited disorder. Patients should use adequate sun protection to prevent darkening of the natural skin color.
Try moisturizing treatments: Mild emollients, such as petroleum jelly and creams, may reduce skin scaling. Discuss the use of topical medications with a doctor: Pimecrolimus (Elidel), tacrolimus (Protopic), and crisaborole (Eucrisa) are nonsteroidal creams that may minimize pityriasis alba-associated itching.
Pityriasis alba usually resolves spontaneously, and the skin colour gradually returns back to normal with no scarring. However, it may persist for a few years, and may come and go during this period, particularly in summer when the patches become more prominent due to the tanning of non-affected skin.
Segmental vitiligo is unique, even beyond the fact that it doesn't cross the midline. It spreads very quickly, faster than the other forms, but only for about 6 months (sometimes up to a year).
Hypopigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo. If the spots are not truly white, but hypopigmented and not depigmented (they don't enhance by Wood's lamp), then they are NOT vitiligo and could be any number of different diseases and conditions.
What causes vitiligo? Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. This type of disease develops when your immune system attacks part of your own body. If you have vitiligo, your immune system attacks cells in your body called melanocytes.
There are no at-home tests available to diagnose vitiligo. However, you can do a general self-check of your skin and look for patchy or widespread loss of pigmentation (the coloring of your skin, hair, and eyes).
Vitiligo usually begins with a few small lighter patches that develop on the skin. These patches may stay the same size for years or grow larger. New patches can appear on the skin. The new patches may be close to existing patches or far from them.
Protect your skin from the sun.
A bad sunburn can worsen vitiligo. If you have a lighter skin tone, there's another advantage to protecting your skin from the sun. Without a tan, the lighter spots and patches are often less noticeable.