Pityriasis Rosea Symptoms and Treatment – Skin Rash

Symptoms

• Often (but not always) starts as a single, fairly large, round or oval patch called a “herald” patch. This usually appears on the back, chest, belly, thighs or arms. It is flat, scaly, darker than the surrounding skin and may have slightly raised edges.
• The rest of the rash appears about 5-10 days after the herald patch (if there has been one) and consists of scaly, round or oval patches that look like the herald patch but smaller.
• The patches are usually seen on the back, chest, belly, upper arms and legs and the neck. They are rarely seen on the face, hands and feet.
• The rash is sometimes mildly itchy, but there is no fever or other signs of illness.
• The rash will leave no scars or permanent marks.
• Your child may attend school or daycare with this rash.

Treatment

• There is no cure—it goes away on its own so no treatment is needed.
• Exposure to sunlight may be helpful but be careful. Too much sun can cause severe sunburn and may make your child feel much worse.
• For itching, lotions like plain Calamine or moisturizing creams can help. Note: Do not use Caladryl® lotion.
• For severe itching your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner may recommend a steroid cream (like hydrocortisone) or an antihistamine (like Benadryl) to take by mouth.

Call Your Child’s Doctor If:

• Your child’s itch is extreme.
• There is any pus, extreme redness or swelling beyond the edges of the patches.