Parents with Guatemalan born children are often confronted with skin problems that they are unfamiliar with. I’ve blogged about this in the past, but I’m a little more knowledgeable now that Ella and I have paid several visits to the dermatologist.

If your child has white patches on their skin, chances are they have pityriasis alba, a form of eczema. It initially presents as a patch of raised bumps, often quite small in diameter that eventually becomes red and rash like. After the rash disappears, the pigment in the skin also disappears and what is left is a white spot.

There are different treatment programs for this; Ella was given cortisone cream and we’ve had some success with this. However you don’t want to use this cream for too long as it thins the skin. According to my doctor, the pigment will return to the skin after it is exposed to sun, and the white spot will gradually disappear.

Are there ways to prevent this type of problem? According to my doctor, and other sources, over bathing is one of the commonest mistakes with our children. She recommendes a maximum of two baths a week.

Using products labeled “soap” is also a “no no.” Instead we should only use products that do not have the word “soap” in them, as they reduce the alkaline in the skin and cause drying. One example of a good “wash” I use is the Aveno brand, available in a tear free shampoo as well.

I’ve tried several creams and so far Cetaphil has worked best on Ella’s skin. It is inexpensive (you can get a big jar at Wal Mart for under ten dollars) and the whole family can use it. I apply cream to her whole body twice a day, and to her face often more. The lotion is not thick enough to be effective.

If any of you have found other products or treatments successful, don’t hesitate to share them with us!