Dermatitis atópica: Pitiriasis alba. A propósito de un caso / Atopic Dermatitis: Pityriasis Alba. A clinical case

RESUMEN La Pitiriasis alba es una enfermedad cutánea inespecífica de etiología desconocida, caracterizada por máculas hipocrómicas, redondeadas u ovaladas poco delimitadas y cubiertas con escamas finas que ocurren usualmente en la región facial de los niños. Fue descrita por Gilbert en 1860 y Fox en 1923, pero fue O'Farrell en 1956 quien propuso el nombre de Pitiriasis alba. La condición dermatológica con la que suele asociarse es la dermatitis atópica. La presencia de Pitiriasis alba fue definida como uno de los criterios menores para el diagnóstico de Dermatitis atópica, según Hanifin y Rajka en 1980. Sin embargo, también se presenta en 20-40% de los niños atópicos, sin evidencia de Dermatitis atópica, así como en individuos no atópicos. La disfunción de la barrera epitelial causada por mutaciones del gen de la filagrina, proteína estructural epidérmica, que forma parte del factor humectante natural, se considera un factor de riesgo emergente para la Dermatitis atópica severa de comienzo precoz. Se presenta un caso de Pitiriasis albaen el que fue necesaria terapia combinada tópica y vía oral, con evolución satisfactoria en 8 semanas de tratamiento.

SUMMARY Pityriasis Alba is a non-specific skin disease of unknown etiology characterized by hypochromic macules, rounded or oval, poorly defined and covered with fine scales that usually occur in the facial region of children. It was described by Gilbert in 1860 and Fox in 1923, but it was O'Farrell in 1956 who proposed the name Pityriasis alba. The dermatological condition with which it is usually associated is Atopic dermatitis. The presence of Pityriasis alba was defined as one of the minor criteria for the diagnosis of Atopic dermatitis, according to Hanifin and Rajka in 1980. However, it also occurs in 20-40% of atopic children, without evidence of Atopic dermatitis, as well as in non-atopic individuals. Epithelial barrier dysfunction caused by mutations of the filaggrin gene, epidermal structural protein, which is part of the natural humectant factor, is considered an emerging risk factor for severe early onset Atopic dermatitis. We present a case of Pityriasis alba where combined topical and systemic therapy was necessary with satisfactory evolution in 8 weeks of treatment.

Clinicopathological correlation of acquired hypopigmentary disorders.

Acquired hypopigmentary disorders comprise a significant group of disorders that affect Indians and Asians. The pigment disturbance in darker skin individuals can be very distressing to the patient and the family. These disorders cover a wide array of pathologies including infections, autoimmune processes, lymphoproliferative disorders, and sclerosing diseases. Histological diagnosis is particularly important because treatments for these diseases are varied and specific. This review will focus on histopathological diagnosis based on clinicopathological correlation for commonly encountered disorders such as leprosy, vitiligo, lichen sclerosus, pityriasis alba (PA), and pityriasis versicolor (PV). Atypical or uncommon clinical presentation of classic diseases such as hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) and hypopigmented sarcoidosis are also included.

A Case of Extensive Pityriasis Alba

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a common benign disease, characterized by hypopigmented macules or patches on the face, usually seen in children. However, two uncommon variants exist, a pigmenting type and an extensive type. Extensive PA is rare. The lesions tend to be less scaly, more persistent, more generalized, more symmetrical, and more frequently seen over the trunk and less so over the face. We report a child who had extensive PA lesions.