PITYRIASIS ALBA: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Pityriasis alba is a common cutaneous disorder usually asymptomatic, hypopigmented macules with or without mild scaling are its presenting lesions. Its etiology and pathogenesis are still poorly understood. Methodology:A descriptive cross-sectional study covered all patients with Pityriasis Alba attended the dermatology department. Results:A total of 86 patients with pityriasis alba, the age range was (2-20) years with a mean age of (8.9) years. Males were 53(61.6%) patients; females were 33(38.4%) patients. The frequency of patients started to decrease with an increase in age. Sunlight was incriminated as an aggravating factor in 32.55% (28 out of 86) patients, soap in 32.55% (28 out of 86) patients, and wind in 10.46% (9 out of 86) patients. Lesions were multiple in 91.8%, face involved in 78 patients (90.7%). History of recurrent illnesswas 21(24.4%), while those with no history of recurrence were 65 patients (75,6%). Lesions were characterized by erythema in 36.04%of patients,scaling in 76.74% of patients,hypopigmentation in 63.95% of patients, itching in 32.55% of patients, and burning sensation in 6.97%. Conclusion: Pityriasis Alba is a common disease usually in young, sunlight is of aggravating factor. Lesions are hypopigmented scaly mostly multiple.