Pityriasis Rosea Flashcards
what is pityriasis rosea
-idiopathic, common, self-limited skin eruption characterized by widespread papulosquamous lesions
(papulosquamous = you can feel it and it’s scaley)
pediatric considerations of pityriasis rosea
-face and distal extremities are MC in children and lesions may be more papular
epidemiology of pityriasis rosea
- predominant age: 10-35 years (can occur in any age)
- during pregnancy
- M>F
- no racial predominance
viral connection to pityriasis rosea
- etiology is unknown and not an allergy, fungus or bacteria BUT
- studies have implicated human herpes virus (HHV)
- MC is HHV-7
- may also be associated w/ H1N1
is pityriasis rosea contagious?
no
what might pityriasis rosea be confused with?
A similar rash has been reported with several drugs including gold injections, captopril, interferon, omeprazole, and bismuth
MC initial sign of pityriasis rosea
-2 - 10 cm salmon colored patch or plaque
progression of pityriasis rosea
- a more widespread rash begins 7-14 days after onset of Herald patch (but can appear up to 3 mos later)
- mild pruritis, rarely severe
- fever and malaise are rare
what does the rash look like in pityriasis rosea
- salmon colored to light brown oval plaques w/ fine scales centrally
- collarette of loose scales along borders on chest, abdomen, back, arms and legs
- can sometimes have lesions on the mouth
- lesions usually 1-2 cm and tend to spare face, hand and feet in adults
common pattern in pityriasis rosea
Christmas tree pattern***
-oriented along skin cleavage (Langer) lines
Dx of pityriasis rosea
- no lab markers
- consider serology to r/o syphilis if suspected
- KOH prep can be used to distinguish b/w tinea
tx of pityriasis rosea
- usually goes away w/o tx
- rash lasts about 6-8 weeks
symptomatic tx of pityriasis rosea
- topical anti-pruritics PRN
- oatmeal baths (not hot)
what can occur after pityriasis rosea in darker skinned persons?
flat, brown spots after the rash clears
