Pityriasis is a skin disease that causes symptoms such as white, red or pink spots on the skin, dryness, peeling, itching and blisters.
Pityriasis can arise due to infections caused by fungi, such as fungus Malassezia furfurviruses, bacteria, parasites or can even arise due to an inflammatory reaction to medications, for example.
In the presence of symptoms indicative of pityriasis, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist, or general practitioner, so that a general assessment can be carried out and appropriate treatment indicated, which may include the use of antifungal soaps, creams or ointments, and oral medications, such as antibiotics, corticosteroids or antihistamines.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of pityriasis are:
- White, pink or red spot on the skin;
- Itching or burning sensation at the site of the spots;
- Fever;
- Blisters on the skin;
- Dryness and peeling of the skin;
- Itching worsens in hot or rainy seasons;
- Burning sensation in the skin;
- Joint pain.
However, the symptoms of pityriasis vary depending on the type of this condition.
Types of pitiríase
The main types of pityriasis are:
- Versicolor beeps: also known as white cloth, or beach ringworm, this type of pityriasis is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfurwhich produces azelaic acid, a substance that prevents the skin from producing melanin, leading to the appearance of small white spots, peeling and itchy skin;
- Pityriasis rosea: also known as Gilbert’s pityriasis rosea, it is a rash that appears on the chest, abdomen or back and disappears in 6 to 10 weeks, and is believed to be caused by viral infections, an inflammatory reaction to medications or vaccines. Learn more about pityriasis rosea;
- It would beep at dawn: being more common in children and young adults, pityriasis alba causes the appearance of white patches with scaling on the face, neck, arms or shoulders;
Pityriasis lichenoids can be caused by hypersensitivity to an infection caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or an inflammatory reaction to medications, leading to the appearance of reddish-brown spots, blisters and a burning sensation on the skin. Understand more about pityriasis lichenoides.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of pityriasis must be made by a dermatologist, through evaluation of the signs and symptoms presented and the person’s health history.
If you want to assess your risk of pityriasis, make an appointment with the dermatologist in the region closest to you:
Furthermore, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also request tests such as histopathology and dermoscopy, an exam where a device is used that allows the skin to be enlarged to observe the innermost structure of the skin and carry out a more detailed assessment. Understand how dermoscopy is performed.
Another test that may also be requested by the doctor is the Wood’s lamp, an examination carried out with a small piece of equipment that allows skin lesions to be identified through lighting in a dark environment with no visible light. Learn more about Wood’s lamp.
Possible causes
Pityriasis versicolor is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur. Pityriasis alba has not been linked to any specific cause, but is believed to be related to iron deficiency anemia, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and low serum copper levels, for example.
Although the exact cause of pityriasis lichenoides and rosea is not known, it is believed that these types may be caused by hypersensitivity to viral, bacterial, parasitic infections or even that they arise due to inflammatory reactions to vaccines or medications, such as antihistamines, statins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antidepressants.
What is the treatment like?
The treatment of pityriasis varies depending on the type of condition and may include the use of soaps, phototherapy, oral medications, creams or ointments.
1. Antifungal soaps or shampoos
Antifungal soaps or shampoos with 2.5% selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, sulfur and salicylic acid may be indicated to help eliminate the fungus from the skin, being recommended by the doctor for cases of pityriasis versicolor.
2. Ointments or creams
Ointments or creams containing antihistamines; antifungals, such as terbinafine and ketoconazole; and corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, acyclovir or hydrocortisone, may be prescribed by your doctor to treat itching and improve recovery in pityriasis rosea or alba.
Furthermore, the use of moisturizing creams may also be recommended to improve skin dryness in cases of pityriasis alba.
3. Oral medications
Oral medications such as antihistamines; antibiotics, such as erythromycin and doxycycline; and corticosteroids, such as acitretin, dapsone and cyclosporine, may be indicated for the treatment of pityriasis linquenoides, helping to relieve itching and accelerate healing.
In addition, oral antifungals, such as itraconazole and fluconazole, may be prescribed by the doctor to treat pityriasis versicolor in cases of extensive patches or when topical treatment does not improve the lesions.
4. Phototherapy
Phototherapy, a treatment that uses artificial ultraviolet lights UVA or UVB and which have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive action, may be recommended by the doctor to improve the skin’s immune response in cases of pityriasis rosea and linquenoid. Understand better how phototherapy works.
Furthermore, if treatment with oral medications does not improve pityriasis linchenoid lesions, phototherapy may also be indicated.
