Is a skin rash that usually occupies half of your body, it is benign, but it can be annoying in some cases.
It usually starts as a patch on the chest, abdomen or back and then spreads.
In most cases, these rashes gradually disappear in merely a week or two, but for some patients, it takes about six to eight weeks to heal.
Signs and symptoms
Although pityriasis rosea has a distinctive appearance, the moments the rash spreads, in its early stages this condition can be confused with other skin disorders.
Initial phase
Before all other symptoms appear, you may experience signs and symptoms of an infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as:
- A headache
- Stuffy nose
- A sore throat
- Slight fever
The classical pityriasis rosea begins with a large, scaly lesion, called a herald patch, on his back, chest or abdomen.
Progression
During the earlier stage of the condition, after the herald patch appears, you may notice:
- Stains pink or red rash on her back, chest or abdomen 3
- Small spots on the arms and legs
- Small spots may appear on the back and neck several days later. It is rare for lesions form on the face, but can appear on the cheeks or hairline.
- Moderate itching is common due to excessive dryness of the skin.
- The rash is usually scaly and pink, but if you have dark skin, can be gray, dark brown or even black.
When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if early signs and symptoms. Also, consult your doctor if you got diagnosed with pityriasis rosea and the rash does not disappear in ten weeks.
Causes
The exact cause of Pityriasis Rosea is unknown. Pityriasis rosea is not an allergic reaction or a bacterial or fungal infection, a sign of internal disease.
Several experts saw a viral infection as the likely cause of this condition. Some researchers associate this disease with a virus called human herpes family of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV – 6), a different kind of infection that causes genital or oral herpes.
Another study suggests that some drugs can induce Pityriasis Rosea. Such medicines can include:
- Barbiturates (sedatives)
- Bismuth
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Gold used in cases of rheumatoid arthritis
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- D-penicillamine
- Isotretinoin
Pityriasis does not appear to be contagious. Most people with known exposure to patients with pityriasis rosea do not seem to get the rash.
Risk factors
Pityriasis rosea can affect any age group, but usually disturbs older children and young adults.
Complications
In general, the stains disappear on their own but can last up to 12 weeks.
Complications of pityriasis rosea are unlikely, but if present, may include:
- Severe itching.
- Brown spots and dark skin after the rash has healed.
Diagnosis
Medical experts usually diagnose Pityriasis rosea based on the appearance of the skin, primarily by the presence of the herald patch.
You can perform tests to rule out other similar conditions, such as ringworm, Lyme disease, psoriasis and secondary syphilis. Doctors can perform a blood test and a biopsy of the lesions.
Treatment
In most cases, pityriasis rosea requires no treatment. Away by itself in about 4 to 6 weeks. In some cases, you can reduce itching and treat the rash.
Relieve itching
If the itching is continuous, the doctor may recommend:
- Oral antihistamines. These medications are accessible by prescription.
- Steroid creams or ointments. These unguents help relieve itching and reduce redness.
- Although no scar with no associated rash, you should avoid:
- And itching in the area. You may be scratching may worsen itching.
- A few irritants such as soaps with fragrances, hot water, wool and synthetic fabrics.
Treatment of eruption
Antiviral drugs. Medical experts usually believe that a kind of human herpesvirus is the cause of pityriasis rosea.
That is why they tend to use antiviral drug acyclovir, as it shown it can reduce the duration and severity of the condition.
Phototherapy. Direct sunlight causes lesions resolve more quickly. According to this principle, sunlight or phototherapy with ultraviolet light is used to accelerate the healing process.
Phototherapy can cause permanent darkening in some places even after the rash disappears.
Tips and home remedies
Pityriasis rosea may be a little uncomfortable.
The following tips can help ease the uneasiness of pityriasis rosea:
- Clean with warm water and avoid irritants like soaps with fragrances.
- Avoid scratching. You may be scratching may worsen itching.
- Apply calamine lotion on the rash.