The pathophysiology of pityriasis alba: Time-dependent histologic changes

Although pityriasis alba is a common dermatologic condition, its pathogenesis is poorly understood, and there are many discrepancies in the literature. To assess the effect of the duration of disease on the histologic findings, a search of cases labeled “pityriasis alba” was performed on any cases submitted to our dermatopathology laboratory. Of 179 cases of pityriasis alba, five cases identified the duration of the disease, when the biopsy was taken. A biopsy for a lesion of only 1-month duration demonstrated groups of large, prominent melanoc ytes heaped up upon one another.
Source: Clinics in Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Comment and Controversy Source Type: research