Dermatologic Manifestations of Pityriasis Alba Medication

  • Author: Bassam Zeina, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 9, 2011
 

Medication Summary

Response to treatment for pityriasis alba often is disappointing.

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Emollients

Class Summary

A variety of lotions, creams, and ointments that contain hydrocarbons, oil, waxes, and long-chain fatty acids aid in retaining moisture in the skin especially if applied immediately after bathing. A bland emollient may be used to reduce the scaling.

Aqueous cream (Curel, Cetaphil, Nivea, Lubriderm)

 

Oil in water emulsion that spreads easily and helps retain moisture in the skin.

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Corticosteroids, topical

Class Summary

Reducing inflammation helps reduce symptoms and helps resolve lesions.

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Hydrocortisone topical (Cortaid, Dermacort)

 

1% or 2.5% hydrocortisone cream or ointment. Adrenocorticosteroid derivative suitable for application to skin or external mucous membranes. Has mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid effects resulting in anti-inflammatory activity.

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Immunosuppressant Agent

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Tacrolimus (Protopic)

 

Mechanism of action in atopic dermatitis not known. Reduces itching and inflammation by suppressing the release of cytokines from T cells. Also inhibits transcription for genes that encode IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha, all of which are involved in early stages of T-cell activation. Additionally, may inhibit release of preformed mediators from skin mast cells and basophils and down-regulate expression of FCeRI on Langerhans cells. Can be used in patients as young as 2 y. Drugs of this class are more expensive than topical corticosteroids. Available as ointment in concentrations of 0.03 and 0.1%. Indicated only after other treatment options have failed.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Bassam Zeina, MD, PhD  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Milton Keynes Hospital, UK

Bassam Zeina, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Dermatologists, British Medical Association, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Nicole Sakka, MBBS  Foundation Year 2, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sohail Mansoor, MBBS, MSc  Dermatologist and Lead Physician in Dermatologic Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Barnet Hospital, UK

Sohail Mansoor, MBBS, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mark G Lebwohl, MD  Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Mark G Lebwohl, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Amgen/Pfizer Honoraria Consulting; Centocor/Janssen Honoraria Consulting; DermiPsor Honoraria Consulting; GlaxoSmithKline Honoraria Consulting; HelixBioMedix Honoraria Consulting; Novartis Honoraria Consulting; Ranbaxy Lectures; Can-Fite Biopharma Honoraria Consulting; DermaGenoma Honoraria Consulting; Biosynexus Honoraria Consulting

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christen M Mowad, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Mohsin Ali, MBBS, FRCP, MRCP, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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