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Pityriasis Rosea

Jenna Buchanan, MD and Jeffrey D. Wolfrey, MD Reviewed 06/2021
 


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 (1).

  • More widespread rash begins...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Symptomatic treatment

  • Topical antipruritics, as needed

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

MEDICATION

  • A Cochrane review in 2019 showed low- to mod...

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
Chuh  A, Lee  A, Zawar  V, et al. Pityriasis rosea—an update. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol.  2005;71(5):311–315. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

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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