You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
+
-
Gray Colour
Green Colour
ع
Home
Ministry
About the Minister
- Minister’s CV
- Minister's Office
- Contact the Minister
MOH Officials
- Vice Ministers
- Deputy Ministers
About the Ministry
- Overview
- Vision
- Mission
- Health Indicators
- Organizational Structure
- Strategy
- Health Policies
- Achievements
- Budget
- Tenders and Procurement
- Contact Us
- Help & Support
Share Your Opinion with Us
- Prominent E-Participations
Patient Satisfaction Survey Results
Regulations
Forms
We Care About You
Unified Health File
MOH Initiatives & Projects
Knowledge Management
National E- Health Strategy
Life Events
Partnerships
About MOH Portal
Interactive Map
Awareness
Patients’ Rights
Educational Content
- First Aid
- Chronic Diseases
- Health Tips
- Healthy lifestyle
- Oral Health
- Educational Series
- Seasonal and Festival Health
- Child’s Health
- Women's Health
- Various Topics
- Elderly’s Health
Health Tools
- BMI Calculator
- IBW Calculator
- Calorie Calculator
- Best Time To Get Pregnant
- Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
- Visual Acuity Test
- Prediabetes Risk Test
- Asthma Control Test
World Health Days
Premarital Screening
Command & Control Center
Pilgrim’s Health
E-Services
Media Center
MOH News
MOH Announcements
Events and Activities
MOH Publications
Important Links
Open Data
Sign In
Sign In
Educational Content
Diseases
Dermatology
Pityriasis Rosea
Dermatology
Listen
Pityriasis Rosea
Page Image
Page Content
What is pityriasis rosea?
It is a relatively common skin condition that causes a temporary rash of red scaly patches on the body. The first spot of the rash, known as ‘herald patch’, is often large and oval. Smaller spots usually begin to appear afterwards. They spread from the herald patch, resembling a pine-tree pattern. This rash often disappears on its own.
Cause:
The cause of pityriasis rosea is still unknown; however, it is believed that it is the result of a viral infection. Dermatologists have found human herpes viruses in the rashes, blood, and saliva of people with pityriasis rosea. Several types of human herpes virus were found; however, these types, (HHV) 6 and HHV-7, cannot cause sores or genital herpes.
Risk factors:
Anyone can get pityriasis rosea, but it is more common in older children and young adults (10 – 35 years old).
Symptoms:
Some people feel unwell for a day or two before they get the rash, with flu-like symptoms, such as: a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
The onset of a large patch on the skin. This is usually the first sign of pityriasis rosea (a herald patch). It is a pink or red patch of scaly skin, ranging in size from 2 to 10 cm. The rash appears on the abdomen, chest, or back. It can also develop anywhere on the skin, including the armpits.
The color of the patch in fair-skinned people is usually red or pink. As for people with a darker skin, the spots can sometimes be gray, dark brown, or black.
Other symptoms that are likely to develop include:
Feeling unwell
Headache
Fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Sleep disruption
When to see a doctor?
If you develop a persistent unexplained rash. Your doctor should be able to tell if the rash is the result of pityriasis rosea or other skin conditions like: eczema, psoriasis, or ringworm;
If the patient is pregnant;
If the rash persists for over 3 months;
If the itching or other symptoms remain as they are or get worse 2 months after developing the rash.
Complications:
Complications of pityriasis rosea are unlikely. However, if a pregnant woman gets it, she must see her doctor immediately.
Diagnosis:
In most cases, a doctor can recognize pityriasis rosea just by looking at the rash. He or she may want to take a swab of the rash or ask that the patient for a blood test to rule out any conditions similar to pityriasis rosea, such as ringworm. Moreover, some medications can cause a rash that looks like pityriasis rosea, so it is important to rule this possibility out.
Treatment:
Pityriasis rosea usually disappears within 6 to 8 weeks. In some cases, though, it can last up to 5 months, but treatment is not required unless it causes severe itching or fatigue. The treatment may include the following:
Treatments to reduce skin itch under the supervision of a doctor. They include anti-itch lotions or creams, such as a hydrocortisone cream, in addition to antihistamines.
Ultraviolet light therapy (provided at a dermatologist's clinic).
As soon as the rash disappears, dark spots may appear, especially in dark-skinned people. These spots usually disappear on their own within 6 to 12 months.
Prevention:
The cause of pityriasis rosea is still unknown, so there are no specific ways to prevent it.
FAQ:
Is pityriasis rosea contagious?
While more than one person in a family may develop this rash at the same time, pityriasis rosea is not contagious and does not spread from one person to another.
Is there a link between pityriasis rosea and human herpes?
Dermatologists have found human herpes viruses in the rashes, blood, and saliva of people with pityriasis rosea. However, strains of human herpes viruses cannot cause cold sores or genital herpes, and when a person is infected with them, they remain inside the body. They do not cause any problems because the immune system keeps them under control.
If I get pityriasis rosea once, will I get it again?
Many people get pityriasis rosea only once without having it again; however, it is possible to get the rash more than once.
Myths & Truths:
Pityriasis rosea is the same as ringworm.
Truth:
Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. The spots resulting from ringworm are lighter than the color of the skin and appear on the shoulders and back. On the other hand, the cause of pityriasis rosea is unknown. It is believed, however, to be a viral infection. It starts with a red or pink spot on the abdomen, chest, back, or neck.
For inquiries, contact us by
email
.
in this
Section
Otorhinolaryngological Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Communicable Diseases
Musculoskeletal System Diseases
Nervous System
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Hematology
Endocrine Diseases
Diabetes-related Diseases
Orthopedic Diseases
Eye Diseases
Dermatology
Currently selected
Cancerous Diseases
Chest Diseases
Mental Illness/ Psychological Disorders
Non-Communicable Diseases
Oral and Dental Diseases
Rare Diseases
Also
You may be interested
Last Update :
22 September 2021 01:01 AM
Reading times :
All Rights Reserved – Ministry of Health – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ©
Diseases
Otorhinolaryngological Diseases
Otitis Media (OM)
Allergic Rhinitis
Sore Throat in Children
Hearing Loss
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart Diseases
Hypertension
Cardiovascular Diseases … Prevention and Treatment
Hypercholesteremia (High Cholesterol)
Cardiac Catheterization
Heart Failure
Venous Thromboembolism
Arteriosclerosis (Atherosclerosis)
Angina Pectoris
Hypertension and COVID-19
Communicable Diseases
HIV/AIDS
Tuberculosis
Malaria
Malaria
Meningitis
Measles
Swine Influenza
Dengue Fever
Bilharzia
Vector-borne Diseases
Immunization
HIV/AIDS
Elephantiasis
Mumps
Leishmaniasis
Lice
Plague
Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis)
Zika Virus
Musculoskeletal System Diseases
Polio…Facts and Figures
Disability: Reasons, Types, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Persons with Disabilities
Polio
Disability
Nervous System
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Stroke
Parkinson's Disease
Spina Bifida
Sciatica
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Headaches
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Anorexia and Bulimia
Bell's Palsy
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Viral Hepatitis
Crohn's Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Hepatitis C Awareness Campaign
Ulcerative Colitis
Functional Dyspepsia
Celiac
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Diarrhea in Children
Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) Infection
Hematology
Thalassemia
Hypertension
Genetic Blood Disorders
Hemophilia
High Blood Pressure
Blood Donation
Sickle Cell Anemia … Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment
Sickle Cell Anemia
Why Blood Donation?
Thalassaemia
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women
Orthostatic Hypotension
Malaria
Infant Jaundice
Endocrine Diseases
Lymphoma
Diabetes
Cushing Syndrome
Diabetes Insipidus
Hyperthyroidism
Underactive Thyroid Gland
Goiter
Diagnosis of Goiters
Diabetes-related Diseases
Diabetes and COVID-19
Diabetes Guide
Diabetes and Hajj
Type 2 Diabetes Medications
Gestational Diabetes
Victoza Injection
Diabetes and Oral & Dental Health
Diabetic Foot
Glucagon Injection
Toujeo Insulin
Managing Diabetes during Illness
Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin Pump
Diabetes and Kidney Care
Type 1 Diabetes
Orthopedic Diseases
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis .. Silent disease
Osteoporosis...Facts and Instructions
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Gout
Arthritis
Rickets
Shin Splints
Osteoarthritis
Flat Feet
Eye Diseases
Educational Messages on Eye Diseases
Keratoconus (KC)
Eye Health and COVID-19
Dry Eye
Eye Allergies
Conjunctivitis
Glaucoma
Contact Lenses
Lazy Eye
Eye Health
Cataracts
Dermatology
Currently selected
Ringworm (Tinea)
Shingles
Scabies
Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)
Athlete’s Foot
Boils
Pityriasis Rosea
Impetigo
Ichthyosis
Scalp Ringworm (Tinea Capitis)
Warts
Vitiligo
Psoriasis
Sunburns
Heat Rash
Eczema
Skin Cancer
Albinism
Cancerous Diseases
Breast Cancer
Cancer
Childhood Cancer
Cancer.. Facts and Guidelines
Lung Cancer
Cancer disease
Colorectal Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Liver Cancer
Leukemia
Cervical Cancer
Causes and Prevention Methods of Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Chest Diseases
Asthma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Asthma
Mental Illness/ Psychological Disorders
Mental Health Disorders
Mental Health
Depression
Insomnia
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Stress
Schizophrenia
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Non-Communicable Diseases
Obesity
Lupus
Malnutrition
Premature Babies
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Varicose Veins
Disability
Alopecia Areata
Wheat Allergy
Stroke
Down Syndrome
Oral and Dental Diseases
Facts on Oral and Dental Health
Dental Caries: Facts and Guidelines
Lumineers
Veneers
Dental Care
Pregnant Women’s Oral and Dental Health
Teeth Whitening
Milk Teeth
Rare Diseases
Swine Flue
Minister's Letter
Definition
What is swine Flu
Types of H1N1
Transmission
Symptoms
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Treatment
Protect Yourself
The National Plan
The National Plan Home Page
Introduction
Preparatory Plan Integration
Requirements for Swine Flue Pandemic
Pandemic Stages.
Other Diseases
Disabilities
Viral Hepatitis.. Types and Tips
Malnutrition (Risks, Causes, and Instructions)
Viral Hepatitis… Types… Symptoms… Treatment
Schizophrenia
Autism
Stroke
Obesity and Overweight
Preterm Birth
018
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.