The most common symptom is the appearance of what's called the "herald patch," which is a large patch of scaly, raised skin usually on the stomach or abdomen, the back, or the chest.
What is Pityriasis Rosea (PR)?
This is a harmless yet sometimes uncomfortable disorder of the skin that causes a large rash. It is most common in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 35 although people of any age may be affected.
Most common during the spring and autumn months, Pityriasis causes a very distinctly shaped rash to appear, but in the early stages it is often confused with other common disorders of the skin.
Symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea
The symptoms of pityriasis closely mimic those of several other conditions including eczema, ringworm, psoriasis, and syphilis, and it is often mistaken for all of these very different things making an accurate diagnosis essential. Some medications such as antibiotics may also cause a rash somewhat similar in appearance to the one caused by pityriasis.
The "Herald Patch"
The most common symptom is the appearance of what's called the "herald patch," which is a large patch of scaly, raised skin usually on the stomach or abdomen, the back, or the chest.
After this, smaller patches will form in those same areas in a Christmas tree-like pattern anywhere from a few days to several weeks after the herald patch appears.
Sometimes, smaller patches might appear on the face, arms, or legs and approximately a quarter of all people with pityriasis rosea complain of mild to severe itching. The rash is most often pink or reddish in color but with darker skin tones it may be gray or even brown or black.
Pityriasis Rosea: A Medical Dictionary
This Book gives a complete medical dictionary covering hundreds of terms and expressions relating to pityriasis rosea. It also gives extensive lists of bibliographic citations.
Finally, it provides information to users on how to update their knowledge using various Internet resources.
Before the herald patch stage of the rash, roughly half of all people diagnosed with pityriasis will also experience symptoms similar to upper respiratory infections like the common cold such as headache, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, congestion, or even nausea and loss of appetite.
Treatments for Pityriasis Rosea
In most cases, PR will disappear on its own, usually never to return again, after approximately six to eight weeks or so without the need for medical intervention. However, if your skin rash persists for more than three consecutive months, contact your doctor who can determine if there's another underlying cause or perhaps a more effective form of treatment for your particular skin type.
For relief from itching, keep the affected area cool but also moist as dry skin will worsen the rash. Use a soft washcloth soaked in ice water to cool down the skin but not too often as this may actually deplete the skin's much needed moisture.
Moisturize damp skin or apply calamine lotion if the itching has become bothersome. An oatmeal bath can help to relieve the irritation from dry, itchy skin and always dress in soft clothing like cotton afterward. Never use hot or very warm water and use as little soap as possible when bathing, choosing a brand without deodorants, harsh chemicals, or strong fragrances to further aggravate the rash.
Although exposure to natural sunlight may cause the rash to dissipate sooner, getting a sunburn is definitely not recommended as it increases your risks of melanoma or skin cancer
as well as prematurely aging the skin.
For the most severe of symptoms, anti-inflammatory medication like corticosteroids can bring about relief. Over-the-counter antihistamine pills and topical creams like hydrocortisone or zinc oxide may also help relieve the itch.
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