Pityriasis Rosea - Symptoms
Pityriasis rosea is a mild, but common, skin condition. Characterized by scaly, pink, inflamed skin, the condition can last from four to eight weeks and usually leaves no lasting marks.
Symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea
The main symptoms of pityriasis rosea are the appearance of the herald patch followed by a more diffuse rash of smaller patches. Pityriasis rosea usually begins with a large, scaly, pink patch on the chest or back, which is called a “herold” or “mother” patch. It is frequently confused with ringworm, but antifungal creams do not help because it is not a fungus. The symptoms of this condition include:
Initial phase. Pityriasis rosea typically begins with a large, slightly raised, scaly patch — called the herald patch — on your back, chest or abdomen.
Progression. Smaller fine, scaly spots usually appear across your back, chest or abdomen in a pine-tree pattern a few days to a few weeks after the herald patch. Rarely, smaller spots may also appear on your arms, legs or face. The rash may itch.
Pityriasis rosea usually starts with a pink or tan oval area (sometimes called a herald or mother patch) on the chest or back. The main patch is usually followed (after a couple of weeks) by smaller pink or tan patches elsewhere on the body - usually the back, neck, arms, and legs. The scaly rash usually lasts between four to eight weeks and will disappear without treatment.
Most people don’t feel unwell. A mild headache or tiredness may be all that occurs.
The rash usually starts with a ‘herald patch’. This is usually an oval shaped red patch about 2-5 cms in diameter. Common sites for this are the chest, abdomen, neck, back, thigh or upper arms. However, it is common not to have (or not to notice) a herald patch.
Following the herald patch, usually 5-15 days later, a more widespread rash gradually appears over about 10 days. This rash can spread over most of the body. It usually consists of oval shaped spots 1-3 cm in diameter which are pinky in colour. Often the spots seem to form lines in parallel with the skin creases.
Weeks later, smaller-sized spots may appear on other parts of the body. These lesions will develop along the cleavage lines.
The rash seen in individuals affected by pityriasis rosea can resemble the rash seen in ringworm, eczema, syphilis or psoriasis.
Sometimes, before the symptoms appear, people experience preliminary sensations including fever, malaise, sore throat, or headache. Symptoms begin with a single, large round spot called a “herald patch” on the body, followed days or weeks later by slightly raised, scaly-edged round or oval pink-copper colored spots on the trunk and upper arms. The spots, which have a wrinkled center and a sharp border, sometimes resemble a Christmas tree. They may be mild to severely itchy, and they can spread to other parts of the body.
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