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| Definition: |
Pityriasis rosea is a skin disorder involving characteristic rash.
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: |
This disorder is a common skin rash of young people, especially young adults. It occurs most commonly in the fall and spring, and a virus is suspected as the cause. Although pityriasis rosea may occur in more than one person in a household at a time, the disorder is no more common in married couples or large households than it is in other people. If the cause is viral, it is not thought to be highly contagious.
Attacks generally last 4 to 8 weeks. Symptoms may disappear by 3 weeks or last as long as 12 weeks. There is generally a single larger patch called a herald patch followed several days later by more rash. Although the disorder usually resolves in time, a health care provider should be consulted to rule out other disorders including syphilis. |
| Symptoms: |
- Skin lesion/rash
- Initial (herald) lesion
- Followed several days later by more lesions
- May follow cleavage lines or appear in a "Christmas tree" pattern
- Oval plaque, papule, or macule
- Sharp border
- May spread
- Centers have wrinkled (cigarette paper) appearance
- The lesions appears like a scale that is attached at the edges and loose at the center
- Itching of the lesions (mild to severe)
- Skin redness or inflammation
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| Signs and tests: |
| Your physician can usually diagnose pityriasis rosea based on the clinical appearance of the rash. A blood test may be required, however, to distinguish pityriasis rosea from the very similar rash seen in secondary syphilis.
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| Treatment: |
If symptoms are mild, no treatment may be needed.
Gentle bathing, mild lubricants or anti-pruritic creams, or mild hydrocortisone creams may be used to soothe inflammation. Oral antihistamines may be used to reduce itching.
Moderate sun exposure or ultraviolet light treatment may help speed resolution of lesions. However, care must be taken to avoid sunburn. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| Pityriasis rosea usually goes away within 6 to 12 weeks. Recurrences are unusual. |
| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder. |
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Review Date: 8/6/2001
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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