Included below are pictures of pityriasis rosea at different stages and on different parts of the body.
Herald Patch
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
It looks like ringwormand usually appears on the torso.
James Heilman, MD / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Within a few days, smaller lesions appear.
The smaller lesions are usually on the torso or wherever the herald patch is located.
Joe Miller
This is another example of a herald patch.
Joe Miller
A full rash usually develops within a few days or several weeks of its appearance.
The appearance of the rash and itsstriking resemblance to ringwormcan be concerning.
However, it’s a non-threatening skin condition that resolves on its own.
Joe Miller
Typical Rash
This is what pityriasis rosea looks like when the full rash has broken out.
Lesions start to appear around the herald patch.
They can spread to the arms, legs, and face.
Joe Miller
The lesions tend to be oval-shaped with thin, tissue-likescales.
They can be itchy.
On light skin the lesions are salmon-colored and can be hard to see.
Gavin Hart / CDC
On dark skin they can be very dark, even black.
In most cases, a pityriasis rosea outbreak will clear up in six to eight weeks.
Occasionally it can last for up to five months or more.
Joe Miller
Studies have tried to find a viral or bacterial cause of pityriasis rosea.
So far, these studies have been inconclusive and the cause is still unknown.
Pityriasis rosea tends to occur most often in the colder months.
Joe Miller
It affects all ethnicities equally.
Only 2.8% to 3.7% of those who have had the condition will have a recurrence.
Recap
Typical pityriasis rosea lesions appear around the herald patch and spread to the limbs.
Some patients may have a fever and other flu-like symptoms before the rash appears.
Instead, they are more generalized over the area.
Oral lesions can happen, too, and in some cases, the rash covers the entire body.
Atypical Rash - Raised
This is an atypical pityriasis rosea rash on the upper back.
Normally there are fewer lesions that are more spread out over the torso.
These solid, raised lesions cover a lot of area and are very close together.
An atypical rash is often misdiagnosed as ringworm,psoriasis, oreczema.
It may appear on the arms, neck and even the scalp.
The rash rarely spreads to the face.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe an oralantihistamineortopical steroidsto help with itching.
This includes:
Summary
Pityriasis rosea is a very common skin condition.
It begins with a round or oval-shaped herald patch and spreads outwards over the course of a few weeks.
Pityriasis rosea can be itchy.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral antihistamines or a topical steroid to help with this symptom.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea: Signs and symptoms.
2018;98(5):283-291.
Urbina F, Das A, Sudy E.Clinical variants of pityriasis rosea.World J Clin Cases.
doi:10.1097/ANC.0000000000000643
Villalon-Gomez JM.Pityriasis rosea: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(1):38-44.
2016;61(4):375-384. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.185699
