What is pityriasis rosea?
Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition that causes a scaly, pink rash on the skin. Pityriasis means “scaly” and rosea means “pink.” The rash can appear anywhere on the body but usually is on the trunk, arms, and legs. Pityriasis rosea is not dangerous and resolves without treatment, typically after 6-8 weeks. The condition is not contagious (spread from one person to another).
Who is most at risk for getting pityriasis rosea?
Detailed information on pityriasis rosea, including causes, symptoms. It starts with one large round or oval scaly patch. This is called the herald patch.
Anyone can get pityriasis rosea. However, the condition appears most often in people between the ages of 10 and 35.
What causes pityriasis rosea?
The cause of pityriasis rosea is unknown.
What are the symptoms of pityriasis rosea?
For most people, pityriasis rosea begins as a single patch, called a herald or mother patch. This patch usually appears on the torso. Herald patches may be large and scaly. After several hours to several days, smaller patches, called daughter patches, appear on skin in other areas of the body.
The patches are pinkish-red in color and have a scaly surface. On the back, they sometimes appear to be in the configuration of a Christmas or fir tree. The rash may itch, but not everyone with pityriasis rosea experiences itching.
In most cases, the patches fade away on their own and leave no trace behind.