Pityriasis rosea

Description

Pityriasis rosea is a rash that often begins as an oval spot on the face, chest, abdomen, or back. This is called a herald patch and can be up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide. Then you can get smaller stains that extends from the middle part of the body in a way that seems to the fall of the pine-tree branches. The itchy rash.

Pityriasis (pit-ih-RIE-uh-sis) rosea can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 10 and 35. It tends to disappear on their own within 10 weeks.

The treatment can help to relieve the symptoms.

The rash persists for several weeks, and it heals without leaving a scar. Medicated lotions may decrease the itching and the speed of the disappearance of the eruption. Often, however, no treatment is required. The condition is not contagious, and is rarely repeated.

Symptoms

Pityriasis rosea typically begins with an oval shape, slightly raised, scaly patch — called the herald patch on the face, back, chest, or abdomen. Before the herald patch appears, some people have headaches, fatigue, fever, or sore throat.

A few days to a few weeks after the herald patch appears, you may notice small bumps or scaly patches on your face, back, chest or the abdomen, resembling a pine tree pattern. The rash can cause itching.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care provider if you develop a rash that gets worse, or has not been clarified in three months.

Causes

The exact cause of pityriasis rosea is not clear. It could be triggered by an infection with a virus, in particular by certain strains of the herpes virus. But is not related to the herpes virus that causes cold sores. Pityriasis rosea is not contagious.

Risk factors

Having family members with pityriasis rosea increases the risk of developing the condition. Taking certain medications can increase the risk of this condition. Examples include terbinafine, isotretinoin, omeprazole, gold, arsenic, and barbiturates.

Complications

The complications of pityriasis rosea is not likely. If symptoms occur, they may include:

  • Severe itching
  • Temporary points (with a duration of weeks to months) of lighter skin or darker than usual (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation), which is more likely in people with brown or Black skin

Pityriasis rosea

Diagnosis

In most cases, your health care provider can identify the pityriasis rosea by looking at the rash. You may be in need of a scraping or possibly a skin biopsy, which involves taking a small portion of the eruption of the test. This test can help tell a pityriasis rosea rash of other similar eruptions of the skin.

Treatment

Pityriasis rosea usually goes away by itself without treatment in 4 to 10 weeks. If the rash does not disappear or the itching bothers you, talk with your health care provider about treatment. The condition resolves without scarring and, in general, do not return.

Drugs

If home remedies do not relieve the symptoms or shorten the duration of pityriasis rosea, your health care provider may prescribe medicines. Examples include corticosteroids and antihistamines.

Light therapy

Your doctor may also suggest light therapy. In light therapy, you are exposed to natural or artificial light that may help relieve your symptoms. The light therapy can cause lasting stains on the skin that are darker than usual (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), even after the rash is gone.

Self-care

The following self-care tips can help to relieve the discomfort of pityriasis rosea:

  • Take non-prescription medicine for the allergy (antihistamines), as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others).
  • Bathe or shower in warm water. Sprinkle the water of the bath with an oatmeal-based bath product (Aveeno).
  • Apply a moisturizing cream, calamine lotion or over-the-counter corticosteroid cream.
  • Protect your skin from the sun. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours or more often you are swimming or sweating.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your health care provider. It could then be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • The list of personal information, including if you are pregnant or have any of the major diseases, stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including the dosage information.
  • List of questions to ask your health care provider.

Questions to ask your health care provider about pityriasis rosea, which include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • I have another health condition. It could be related to the eruption?
  • Is this rash a temporary or long-term?
  • Is this eruption leave permanent scars?
  • Is the rash cause permanent changes in the skin color?
  • What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
  • Treatment of the rash interact with other treatments I am receiving?
  • What are the possible side effects of this treatment?
  • It will be the treatment helps relieve the itching? If not, how can you treat the itching?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider may ask:

  • When did you start noticing the rash?
  • Have had this type of rash in the past?
  • Are you experiencing symptoms? If so, what are they?
  • The symptoms changed over time?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Pityriasis rosea