Pityriasis Rosea

What is Pityriasis Rosea?

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition that causes a rash. The good news is that it's mild and usually goes away on its own without needing treatment. It's not the same as another skin condition called pityriasis versicolor, even though the names sound similar.

What Does It Look Like?

The rash appears in two stages:

Stage 1: The First Patch

You'll notice a single patch of scaly skin called a "herald patch" (it's like the herald announcing what's coming next). This patch is:

• Usually oval or round shaped
• Slightly raised
• About 2cm to 5cm across (roughly the size of a large coin)
• Usually appears on your chest, thigh, upper arm or neck

The colour depends on your skin tone:

• On white skin: pink with a red edge
• On brown or black skin: darker with a light edge

Stage 2: The Widespread Rash

About 5 to 15 days later, you'll develop lots of small, scaly spots. These usually appear on your chest and back, but can spread to your arms or legs. In children, the rash might also appear on the face or scalp.

The rash typically:

• Appears in the same places on both sides of your body
• May be itchy
• Shows up as pink or red spots on white skin
• Shows up as grey, dark brown or black spots on brown or black skin

Other Symptoms You Might Notice

A few days before the rash appears, some people feel unwell with:

• Tiredness
• Sore throat
• High temperature
• Headache

What Happens After the Rash Goes Away?

After the rash clears up, you might notice some areas of skin that are darker or lighter than usual. This is more common if you have brown or black skin. Don't worry - these areas usually return to normal within a few months and won't leave permanent marks.

How to Treat It

Most people don't need any treatment as pityriasis rosea gets better on its own within a few months. However, if the rash is uncomfortable or itchy, a pharmacist might suggest:

• Using a moisturising cream on the rash
• Taking antihistamine tablets to help with itching
• Avoiding soaps and body washes that might irritate your skin

When to Speak to Your GP

Contact your GP if:

• Your rash is still itchy after trying treatments from the pharmacy
• The rash hasn't gone away after 3 months
• You're not sure if it's pityriasis rosea (other conditions like eczema, psoriasis or ringworm can look similar)

Important Warning for Pregnant Women

If you're pregnant and develop a new rash, contact your midwife, maternity unit, GP or call NHS 111 immediately. Getting pityriasis rosea in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy has been linked with miscarriage and premature birth.

What Causes It?

We don't know exactly what causes pityriasis rosea, but it might be caused by a virus. The important thing to know is that you can't catch it from other people or pass it on to others.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.