Rhabdomyolysis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Pityriasis Rosea: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
Pityriasis rosea, a rash that usually appears on the torso, upper arms, thighs, or neck, may sound worse than it really is. The condition has a name that's hard to say: pit-ih-RIE-uh-sis ROW-zee-ah. But it's common and fairly easy to treat. The condition is sometimes called "Christmas tree rash."
Though its exact cause is still unknown, doctors think the rash is related to a viral infection, possibly some forms of herpes. It generally affects children, teens, and adults in their 20s, though it can affect people of any age. It also may affect you if you're pregnant.
It's not contagious and, in most people, does not leave marks or scars after it heals.
Pityriasis rosea is a rash that usually appears on the torso, upper arms, thighs, or neck. It is thought to be caused by a virus. (Photo credit: Science Photo Library / Science Source)
Pityriasis rosea starts with a single patch on your back or torso. That's called the "herald patch" or "mother patch." It's usually oval-shaped and about 2-10 centimeters (a little less than an inch to almost 4 inches) in diameter.
You may find it slightly raised or rough in texture. Sometimes, you may also have symptoms such as headache, fever, or sore throat.
A week or two after the herald patch appears, it is joined by "daughter patches"—smaller, scaly rashes that form on your chest or back, often in the shape of a Christmas tree. In some cases, these patches may become itchy, especially when you exercise or they're exposed to heat. Some people never get daughter patches and instead only have large patches on their skin. It's also possible to see only small bumps with no large mother patches.
The color and texture of the rash vary across skin tones too. If you have light skin, the rash will be pink and slightly raised with a fine white scale covering the center. If you have dark skin, the rash will be dusky violet to brown in color. Also, it may be more raised and look like the tissue is dying in the center.
Pityriasis rosea is a harmless, common skin problem that causes a rash. (Photo credit: Interactive Medical Media LLC)
While the cause of pityriasis rosea is unclear, it may be linked to infections with certain strains of the herpes virus. That doesn't include the kind of herpes virus that causes cold sores. Pityriasis rosea is not contagious, so there's no need to avoid or limit contact with anyone when you have rashes.
Risk factors
Though pityriasis rosea can affect anyone, you may be more likely to get it if you're:
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, can usually diagnose pityriasis rosea by sight. To make sure, they may order a blood test, scraping, or biopsy. Those tests can rule out other types of skin problems, including eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis.
Pityriasis rosea can be diagnosed with a biopsy or a blood test. (Photo credit: Mila722/Dreamstime)
While the rash itself doesn't need treatment and will go away on its own, usually within 6-8 weeks, you can go to your dermatologist for treatment or pityriasis rosea medication to soothe symptoms. They may suggest:
Antihistamines. These allergy medicines can help ease itching and can come in the form of a cream or pill.
Corticosteroids. This kind of cream is made to treat skin dryness, scaling, and itching. One type your doctor may suggest is triamcinolone ointment.
Over-the-counter topical medications. Calamine lotion or zinc oxide may help you feel less itchy.
Prednisone. This is a steroid medicine taken by mouth and can help with serious itching.
Acyclovir. A type of antivirus medicine, acyclovir (Valtrex, Zovirax) may help the rash go away sooner in some people.
You should talk to your doctor before using any medication.
Along with prescribed treatments, there are some home remedies for pityriasis rosea self-care that can help stop itching and soothe and protect your skin.
Creams
Natural ingredients
One of the most popular home remedies for pityriasis rosea is oatmeal because it can help soothe itching. It is finely ground to a powder and then mixed with warm water to form a paste. Apply the paste to rashes for 10 minutes, then wipe it off. You can also bathe or shower in lukewarm water and use an oatmeal-based bath product.
Other natural treatments you can use on your skin include:
Anti-inflammatory diet
While you don't have to avoid any food or drinks if you have pityriasis rosea, some people believe eating anti-inflammatory food can help lessen itching.
These types of food include:
This diet also avoids food that can worsen inflammation, such as:
There isn't any way to keep this condition from happening. But many people who get pityriasis rosea once usually never get it again.
In most cases, pityriasis rosea is harmless and doesn't return once it goes away.
If your case lasts longer than 3 months, check in with your doctor. You may have another condition or be reacting to a medication.
If you have a darker skin tone, you may have patches of skin that are darker or lighter after your pityriasis rosea heals. This condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, and it's temporary.
Pregnant women are one of the groups that have a higher chance of getting serious complications from this condition. If you're pregnant and get pityriasis rosea, see your OB/GYN at once. In one small study, a majority of women who got the rash in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy had miscarriages.
There is no known cause, cure, or prevention method for pityriasis rosea, but it's usually nothing to worry about and will go away on its own. While there aren't any ways to get rid of the rash faster, there are things that can help you feel more comfortable as it clears up over many weeks. Talk to your dermatologist about any at-home or over-the-counter remedies that they suggest or, if you have more intense itching or dryness, ask them about any prescribed treatments they can give you.
What is the main cause of pityriasis rosea?
While the cause of pityriasis rosea is unclear, it may be linked to infections with certain strains of the herpes virus. That doesn't include the kind of herpes virus that causes cold sores.
What gets rid of pityriasis rosea fast?
There's no way to make rashes go away faster, so treatment choices focus on symptoms such as itching. But pityriasis rosea should clear up on its own in 6-8 weeks.
Is pityriasis rosea something to worry about?
Pityriasis rosea clears up on its own in a few weeks, so it's usually nothing to worry about. But you may need to have a follow-up visit with your dermatologist if:
How long does pityriasis rosea last on average?
Some people see the rash disappear within 6-8 weeks, but it can take as little as 3 weeks or as long as 5 months or more for the skin to clear.
What Is Inverse Pityriasis Rosea?
Classic pityriasis rosea most commonly begins on the abdomen, chest, or back. Inverse pityriasis rosea is more likely to affect the groin or armpits.
Also, pityriasis rosea is more likely to affect people between the ages of 10 and 35 years, whereas inverse pityriasis rosea is more common in children.
Although the presentation of inverse pityriasis rosea is different from that of classic pityriasis rosea, the outlook is generally the same.
If You Have An Itchy Rash That Resembles A Christmas Tree, You May Have A Common Skin Condition Called Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea — which means "fine pink scale" — is a mild skin condition that typically appears as small patches of inflamed and scaly skin. These patches most often appear on your chest, abdomen, or back.
This fairly common skin condition can affect anyone, though women and people between the ages of 10 and 35 are more likely to develop it, says Dr. Cory Gaskins, a certified dermatologist and resident medical expert at BestBotox.Ca.
This rash might alarm you, if you notice it on yourself or a family member — but here's some good news: It's not contagious and often doesn't require medical treatment.
Read on to learn how to recognize pityriasis rosea and how to treat your symptoms.
Note: Pityriasis rosea is commonly called "Christmas tree rash" because of its characteristic tree-like pattern: one large oval patch that branches out into smaller pink or dark patches.
Signs and symptoms A single oval skin lesion first appears, called the "herald patch," before a more widespread rash develops. GettyPityriasis rosea doesn't just involve a rash.
Before you notice any skin changes, you might also experience some flu-like symptoms, according to Dr. Jaspreet Oberoi, a board-certified pathologist and founder of LifePathDoc. These symptoms might include fever, headaches, sore throat, and a stuffy nose.
After the flu symptoms resolve — usually within a week or two — a skin lesion of about 4 inches in size will appear. This first lesion is called the herald patch, Oberoi says. The herald patch appears in up to 90% of pityriasis rosea cases and typically has a round or oval shape.
Here's how the rash will progress, according to Oberoi and Gaskins:
Experts don't know the exact cause of pityriasis rosea, though many believe it relates to a viral infection, Gaskins says.
That's because pityriasis rosea initially presents with generic flu-like symptoms before the actual rash appears, like many other viral infections. Another rash that follows this pattern is rubella, which is caused by a virus. Pityriasis rosea has also been linked to herpes virus 6 and 7, according to Oberoi.
What's more, some people have also developed rashes that resemble pityriasis rosea:
Pityriasis rosea can be diagnosed by its characteristic appearance and the distribution of its lesions, Gaskins says. Since the rash is so distinct, a dermatologist or other healthcare professional can usually diagnose it by sight alone.
That said, make sure to provide as much information as you can about your symptoms and when they first appeared.
You'll also want to let your care team know if you experienced any aches, pains, or other flu-like symptoms before the rash first appeared.
If your doctor has any doubts about the cause of the rash, they may recommend a biopsy, skin scraping, or blood tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
Important: Make sure to let your care team know if you could be pregnant or have recently had an organ transplant. They may want to monitor your symptoms more closely.
How to treat pityriasis roseaPityriasis rosea clears up on its own, usually within about 10 weeks.
There's no specific treatment that will help the rash go away sooner. Instead, treatment typically focuses on improving your symptoms, like itching and lingering spots.
Specifically, your care team may recommend:
Your doctor or dermatologist can offer more guidance on treatments for your specific symptoms.
Important: You'll want to avoid using products intended to treat candida (yeast) and other fungal infections, as they can worsen your rash.
Self-care strategiesThese strategies can help reduce discomfort while you wait for the rash to clear up:
If the rash lasts for more than three months, you'll want to make an appointment with a doctor or dermatologist, Gaskins says. They can help rule out other conditions that may be causing the rash.
Insider's takeawayPityriasis rosea is a relatively mild skin rash with a distinct, tree-like appearance. The rash typically clears up on its own within 3 months. It's not contagious, and you won't necessarily need medical attention — plus, once it clears up, you most likely won't experience it again.
That said, this rash may cause moderate to severe itching, and it can also cause lingering skin discoloration. If you're dealing with any uncomfortable or persistent symptoms, a doctor or dermatologist can recommend helpful treatments.
Richard Adefioye is a freelance writer with a passion for all things health, fitness, and nutrition. With over half a decade of professional writing experience, he has worked with clients from almost every continent, including clinics, nutritional supplement brands, and medical tech companies. His work has also appeared in popular publications like Interesting Engineering, Thrive Global, Lifehack, Livestrong, and lots more. When he's not helping clients grow their businesses, he works out, plays the piano, and hangs out with his super energetic son. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. Read more Read less
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