The condition is not contagious and seldom recurs. Medicated lotions may lessen itchiness and speed the disappearance of the rash. The rash persists for several weeks and heals without scarring. It tends to go away on its own within 10 weeks. Pityriasis (pit-ih-RIE-uh-sis) rosea can happen at any age but is most common between the ages of 10 and 35.

Then you may get smaller spots that sweep out from the middle of the body in a shape that looks like drooping pine-tree branches. This is called a herald patch and may be up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) across. Pityriasis rosea is a rash that often begins as an oval spot on the face, chest, abdomen or back. In addition, your physician may want to do blood tests for other medical conditions.īecause pityriasis rosea is benign and self-limited, no treatment is required.Pityriasis rosea typically begins with a large, slightly raised, scaly patch called the herald patch. Having the skin sample examined under the microscope by a specially trained physician (dermatopathologist).If a punch biopsy is taken, a stitch (suture) or two may be placed and will need to be removed 6–14 days later. Sampling a small piece of skin by using a flexible razor blade, a scalpel, or a tiny cookie cutter (called a “punch biopsy”).Numbing the skin with an injectable anesthetic.These atypical types of pityriasis rosea may be more difficult to diagnose and may require a skin biopsy. However, the rash often leaves behind patches of lighter (hypopigmented) or darker (hyperpigmented) skin, which are more obvious in darker-skinned people and may take months to return to its normal color.Īlthough most people have the classic form of pityriasis rosea, some individuals develop a form of pityriasis rosea with unusual (atypical) features. Pityriasis rosea is a self-limited condition, meaning that it goes away on its own, typically within 6–8 weeks, without treatment. Becoming overheated by exercising or taking a hot shower may increase itching or make the rash more obvious. Additionally, some people experience itching with pityriasis rosea.

Some people report feeling mildly ill (headache, stuffy nose, muscle aches) for 1–2 weeks before the herald patch forms. The second rash forms a “Christmas tree” pattern on the back. The herald patch is followed 1–3 weeks later by the development of a widespread rash, with smaller (0.5–2 cm) oval patches of pink-to-red, scaly skin on the trunk and upper arms. This “herald patch” is usually located on the trunk, neck, or upper arms. Pityriasis rosea usually begins with a single patch of pink-to-red, scaly skin, from 2–5 cm in size. In an uncommon type of pityriasis rosea, the rash may be concentrated in the armpits and groin or on the face, forearms, and shins. The most common locations for pityriasis rosea include:

Herald patch pityriasis rosea causes