PITYRIASIS ALBA
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COMMENT FROM Zibdeen@aol.com
 
Anyone have any sugestions on treatment of pityriasis alba?  I currently use
Lac-hydrin and Hydrocortisone 1% with some results, but am open to
suggestions.  Seen a lot of it lately on the cheeks of young children.

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COMMENT FROM ELIOT N. MOSTOW, M.D. 

I have to agree with your approach overall, but I tend to use a premixed
version that is similar, Lacticare HC 1% lotion.  I've got myself
convinced that the lactic acid does help.  I also counsel the parents to
use good skin care for the child re: mild or no soaps on face, emollients,
etc.   

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COMMENT FROM HAINES ELY, M.D.

Pityriasis alba is post inflammatory hypopigmentation in areas of 
previous, often subclinical, eczematization. My favorite remedy is Vytone 
1% cream with a lecture to the parents. If they understand that PA 
results from a pink slightly rough patch then they will treat the pink 
patch at its onset with Vytone rather than watch the white patch for 
months until it resolves.

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COMMENT FROM JOHN UHLEMANN, M.D.

I would like to second the use of Lacticare HC 1% -- it really seems to work
far better than Hytone  or generic H.C.  

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(archived 25 June 1995)