Pityriasis Rosea
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Pityriasis rosea is a common viral disease that affects younger people, typically between the ages of 10 and 35 years old. It occurs equally in men and women and all races. It causes a rash that lasts up to 10 weeks but generally doesn’t recur more than once in a lifetime.
Pityriasis Rosea FAQs
This rash usually begins as a single scaling bump or patch and then extends to cover much of the torso with hundreds of scaling spots that are elliptical in shape. They are associated with the modest itching that only occasionally requires treatment. The condition usually lasts about nine weeks in total. Blood testing may be required to diagnosed it.
The cause of pityriasis rosea is unknown but has recently been linked with a virus from the human herpes family, but notably, not the viruses that causes genital herpes, oral herpes or chickenpox. Although it is not known how the virus spreads, experts suspect respiratory contact is the cause. More research is needed. It is not unusually contagious.
Treatments for Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea typically requires no treatment and resolves on its own within six to nine weeks. Treatment is not necessary if the rash does not cause significant symptoms; however, your dermatologist can prescribe topical steroid creams or oral antihistamines to alleviate the itching. Although these treatments won’t decrease the duration of the rash, they will make the symptoms more tolerable. Your doctor may also prescribe ultraviolet light (UVB) therapy or sunlight. During the outbreak, you should avoid becoming overheated by reducing exercise and avoiding hot showers and baths, which can exacerbate the itch.
