Pityriasis Rosea
Submitted by Camela Bates Cole, CHUC, of Indianapolis, Indiana
Learning Objectives:
1.
Define pityriasis rosea.
2.
List three symptoms of pityriasis rosea.
3.
What is the diagnosis for pityriasis rosea.
Pityriasis rosea is a skin rash. The skin rash begins with a single lesion also called a herald patch. The body rash can last up to 12 weeks, but usually the average time it lasts is six to eight weeks.
According to WebMD, symptoms of pityriasis rosea include:

An upper respiratory tract infection appears in 69% of patients.
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A single, round or oval scaly patch with a raised border. This is the herald patch.
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Days to weeks later, salmon-colored, 1 cm (0.4 in.) to 2 cm (0.8 in.) oval patches appear in batches on the abdomen, chest, back, arms, and legs. Patches sometimes spread to the neck but rarely to the face.

Patches on the back are often vertical and angled to form a "Christmas tree" or "fir tree" appearance.
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One in four people will have mild to severe itching.
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A low grade fever, headache, nausea, and fatigue may accompany the rash.
The cause of pityriasis rosea is not certain. The presentation and immunologic reaction may be caused by a viral infection. Pityriasis rosea can be diagnosed by a physician looking at the rash. The diagnosis of pityriasis rosea can be hard if the herald patch is the only rash present.
Pityriasis rosea can be mistaken for ringworm or eczema. A physician may do a potassium hydroxide test to make sure the rash is not caused by a fungal infection. A skin sample could be taken from the area and examined under a microscopy. A test for syphilis could be done if the diagnosis is unclear in a sexually active person.
Pityriasis rosea will go away without treatment. Skin lotions and lubricants can be used to soothe the itching. If the itching is severe then the physician may prescribe anti- inflammatory medicines such as corticosteroids to relieve itching and reduce the rash. Exposing the rash to sunlight may make it go away more quickly. Contact the physician if the rash lasts more than three months.
To relieve itching at home, WebMD lists six suggestions:

Try to stay cool because warmth and sweat can make the rash and itching worse.
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Avoid taking hot baths or showers.
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Try an oatmeal bath.
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Try an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Chlor-Trimeton or Benadryl. Check with the physician before giving to a child.
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Apply a moisturizer or calamine lotion to the skin while it is damp.
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Use the least amount of soap. Avoid deodorant soaps when the patient has a rash. Use gentle soaps such as Basis, Cetaphil, or Dove.

Pityriasis rosea in the United States has occurred in people ages 10 to 35. Pityriasis rosea occurs more in the spring. The American Academy of Dermatology states that it is possible that a virus causes pityriasis rosea, but this skin disease does not seem to be contagious .
Although pityriasis rosea is not contagious, there have been reports of small epidemics in fraternity houses, military bases, schools, and gyms.
References

Wikipedia; Pityriasis Rosea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pityriasis_Rosea

WebMD; Skin problems and treatments; Pityriasis Rosea http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-andtreatments/tc/pityriasis-rosea-topic-overview?print=true

American Academy of Dermatology; Pityriasis Rosea https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-andtreatments/m---p/pityriasis-rosea e-Learning QUIZ ID # Web-09-01-15
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS August 31, 2016.
Subject : Pityriasis Rosea
Submitted by : Camela Bates Cole, CHUC, of Indianapolis, Indiana
Objective : To identify facts about pityriasis rosea.
Resources : Accompanying article submitted by Camela Bates Cole, CHUC
Instructions : After reading the article, please write your answers to the following questions on the answer sheet on the last page.
1.
What is the percentage of patients that may have an upper respiratory infection? a.
12 b.
35 c.
69 d.
90
2.
Pityriasis rosea is often mistaken for what disease? a.
Lupus b.
Melanoma c.
Migraine headache d.
Ringworm
3.
What test may be performed to rule out a fungal infection? a.
Gram stain b.
Histoplasmosis c.
Potassium hydroxide d.
Strep
4.
What type of bath is suggested for the itching of pityriasis rosea? a.
Cranberry b.
Oatmeal

c.
Rice d.
Strawberry
5.
What is the average time for pityriasis rosea to disappear? a.
After 14 days b.
After 6-8 weeks c.
After 12 weeks d.
After 3 months
6.
Based on the information in the article, what type of infection control precautions should be taken with the patient with pityriasis rosea? a.
Airborne b.
Droplet c.
Reverse d.
Standard
7.
____ in four people will have mild to severe itching from pityriasis rosea. a.
One b.
Two c.
Three d.
Four
8.
The pityriasis rosea lesion may also be called a _________? a.
fungal patch. b.
fungal rash. c.
herald patch. d.
herald rash.
9.
What is the age of patients who get pityriasis rosea? a.
Between 10 and 35 b.
Between 20 and 50 c.
Between 70 and 90 d.
Between 1 and 9
10.
What blood test may be done on sexually active people who made have pityriasis rosea? a.
Complete blood count or H&H b.
Chemistry c.
Phenobarbital level d.
VDRL or RPR

e.
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