Pityriasis alba: one year study in Qatar

ABSTRACT

A prospective one-year study of 202 pityriasis alba patients was carried at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. The disease was more common in males [52.47%], more in Qataris [45.05%], and more in skin type V [40.1%]. Bacterial, fungal, and focal infections could not be incriminated as possible etiological factors. The peak incidence of the disease was in spring [55%] and autumn [30%] when the weather is hot and dry. Dryness of the skin and sun exposure seemed to be probable etiological factors. The skin of preadolescent school children was more vulnerable to the weathering effect. Also, worthy of note is the occurrence of the disease in an appreciable number [12.87%] of postpubertal patients