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Pityriasis Rosea

Jenna Buchanan, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • An idiopathic, self-limited skin eruption characterized by widespread papulosquamous lesions

  • System(s) affected: skin/exocrine

Pediatric Considerations

Face and distal extremities are m...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • The most common initial sign is a 2- to 10-cm salmon-colored patch or plaque known as the herald patch. The herald patch is present 40–76% of the time.

  • More widespread rash begins 7 to...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Symptomatic treatment

  • Topical antipruritics, as needed

  • Lukewarm oatmeal baths (not hot because heat can intensify itching)

MEDICATION

Symptomatic treatment, as needed 

First Line

  • T...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Return visit for reevaluation if lesions persist >8 to 10 weeks 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Reassure patient about self-limited nature of condition.

  • Prin...

REFERENCES

1
Sharma  PK, Yadav  TP, Gautam  RK, et al. Erythromycin in pityriasis rosea: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Am Acad Dermatol.  2000;42(2, ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ahmed  N, Iftikhar  N, Bashir  U, et al. Efficacy of clarithromycin in pityriasis rosea. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak.  2014;24(11):802–805. [View Abst...

SEE ALSO

Dermatitis, Exfoliative; Pityriasis Alba; Tinea Versicolor 

CODES

ICD10

L42 Pityriasis rosea 

SNOMED

77252004 Pityriasis rosea (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • History of a herald patch preceding the generalized rash is helpful in the diagnosis of pityriasis rosea.

  • Treat symptomatically for itching, if needed.

  • No evidence supports aggressive tr...

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