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Pityriasis Rosea - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Definition:
Pityriasis rosea is a skin disease marked by itchy rash develops over the trunk and extremities. The disease usually begins with a single herald or mother patch, usually larger than succeeding lesions. It is characterized by a single round spot on the body, followed later by a rash of colored spots on the body and upper arms.It is classified as a papulosquamous disorder, which means that its lesions are marked by small raised areas (papules) as well as scaly areas.
Pityriasis rosea can occur at any age, however, it occurs most often in teenagers and young adults. The eruption is usually generalized, affecting chiefly the trunk, and sparing sun-exposed surfaces.
Causes of Pityriasis Rosea:
The most common symptoms are :-
- Weather condition is the main cause of pityriasis rosea. It occurs most commonly in the fall and spring.
- It may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. No bacteria, virus, or fungus has been isolated as a definite causal agent, although HHV-6 and HH-7 may play a role.
- Disorders: such as atopy, seborrheic dermatitis, acne vulgaris and dandruff are also the common cause of pityriasis rosea.
- It is not an allergic reaction.
- Medicines such as bismuth, barbiturates, captopril, gold, organic mercurials, methoxypromazine, metronidazole, D-penicillamine, isotretinoin, tripelennamine hydrochloride, ketotifen, and salvarsan may also cause this disease.
- It is not highly contagious.
Symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea:
The symptoms of this condition include:-
- Pityriasis rosea usually starts with a pink or tan oval area on the chest or back. The main patch is usually followed by smaller pink or tan patches elsewhere on the body.
- Itching may be present during pityriasis rosea.
- The headache , fever and fatigue are among the common symptoms.
- Skin lesions spreads very fast in chronic condition.
- The rashes are often found on the back, chest, and stomach. Rarely does it affect the limbs and extremities. Usually it does not affect the face, however a few blemishes may be found on the cheeks.
- Appearance of the herald patch followed by a more diffuse rash of smaller patches.
- Skin redness or inflammation may occur.
Treatments of Pityriasis Rosea:
The effective treatments for pityriasis rosea are :-
- Nature always cures this disorder, sometimes slowly.
- Corticosteroid lotions: creams or sprays can be used on the affected area to provide immediate relief.
- The cool baths with or without oatmeal helps in the removal of patches.
- Ultraviolet B in erythema exposures should be used to expedite the involution of lesions after the acute inflammatory stage has passed.
- The rash of pityriasis rosea is irritated by soap.So avoid this.
- To some extent antihistamines by mouth are also beneficial.
- Oral medications helps to soothe the itching.
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