Pityriasis Versicolor on the Face-Wrong First Diagnosis of Vitiligo

Abstract

Pityriasis versicolor is a superficial infection of the stratum corneum caused by Malassezia yeasts. It is reported in a high incidence especially in warm and humid areas; clinical manifestations include scaly hypopigmented or hyperpigmented macules in characteristic areas of the body: chest, back, abdomen and proximal extremities. We describe a case of Pityriasis versicolor (hypopigmented) localized only on the face in a 10-year-old boy. The first diagnosis was vitiligo, the child underwent detailed and investigations about wide range in the Pediatric Hospital, the family was very anxious and the treatment proposed (phototherapy type UVB short wave (20 seances of UVB), emollients and topical steroids) was unsuccessful.