Pityriasis Rosacea: Symptoms And Treatment

Some Basic Facts about pityriasis rosacea, more properly called pityriasis rosea, is a skin disorder with no currently known cause. It appears as a pink rash, generally oval in shape. Causes for pityriasis rosea which have been ruled out include stress, medication, and foods. It is not contagious, and may be set off by contact with a virus. Although it can affect anyone, pityriasis rosacea is most common in females between the ages of eight and thirty-five. However, only three percent of people with this condition actually experience symptoms.

People who have this disease may mistake it for ringworm. This is because the rash which signifies its presence is often flaky and oval-shaped in a similar way to that of that fungal infection. One to twenty days before a larger occurrence, a single patch of the rash, called a herald patch, may appear. After that, smaller patches may appear. There are generally many more of these later eruptions. The rash caused by pityriasis rosea may appear in a triangular, "Christmas tree" pattern. About a quarter of people who develop symptoms will also experience mild to serious itching, which fades while the rash further develops. This rash may also be accompanied by symptoms of headache, nausea, fever, and tiredness. Some people may also find that activity of the sweat glands is reduced, and any acne clears up suddenly. Rashes are usually seen on the chest and stomach, back, inner thighs, and inner arms.

It can occasionally show up on the palms or cheeks, but does not generally affect other areas of the face. There's no known cure for this condition. Fortunately, it generally goes away without much treatment. If the condition persists, phototherapy, or treatment with UV light can shorten its duration. There are also corticosteroid creams available to help relieve itching caused by this disease. It generally lasts between eight and ten weeks. The rashes tend to go away without leaving scars, although people with dark skin may have strangely pigmented patches for several months. These eventually subside. While this condition isn't contagious, multiple people in a household have been known to get it at the same time. This is probably from simultaneous exposure to the trigger.

The good news is that pityriasis rosacea is a problem of short duration that clears up on its own without treatment, unlike true rosacea. Of course, with any skin disorder or rash, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor to make certain that the problem is what you suppose it to be. Other afflictions which are more serious can resemble this disorder, so be sure to have your suspicions confirmed by a doctor.