Skin Disease

The skin is not only the biggest organ of the body, but also one of the most important ones. There are many disorders and viruses that directly affect human skin and usually turn out to be a major hassle. Pityriasis rosea is one of these conditions. Pityriasis rosea is one of the top 10 skin disorders today. Although it is a mild condition it can be a major frustration to those who have it and greatly affect a person’s self esteem during periods of breakouts.

Nobody knows what the exact cause of pityriasis rosea is, but many doctors have concluded that it is caused by a virus. The major indicator of pityriasis rosea is scaly, pink, and inflamed skin. It can last from anywhere between four and eight weeks and usually requires a trip to the dermatologist to get rid of it. The good news is that it does not usually leave any lasting marks, unlike some other skin conditions.

Anybody can be affected by pityriasis rosea; however it is usually children, adolescents, and young adults who contract the supposed virus. The average age group who experiences problems with pityriasis rosea is people between the ages of ten and thirty-five. Only three percent of the people who have pityriasis rosea know it because that is the percentage of people who get outbreaks. These outbreaks usually occur in the spring and fall as opposed to the seasons with more extreme temperatures.

Pityriasis rosea usually is first noticed by the appearance of a pink or tan oval area. This oval area is referred to as either a “mother patch” or a “herald patch.” As time passes, usually about a couple of weeks, the tan patches or pink patches start showing up on other parts of the body. These rashes can be found on the back, neck, arms, legs, chest, stomach, inner thighs, upper arms, and inner forearms. Occasionally they have been found on the palms of people’s hands. Although pityriasis rosea does not usually affect the face, it is possible to find rashes on the cheeks.

Other common symptoms of pityriasis rosea are headaches, fatigue, aches, and itching. These symptoms vary in each victim of pityriasis rosea and some people might not get any of these symptoms at all, just the pink or tan patches. It is when these symptoms start occurring that it is a good time to see a doctor. Unless a visit to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating skin, is made it might not be conclusive that the rashes are pityriasis rosea at all. Pityriasis rosea is often confused with other skin disorders, so it is very important to consult a licensed doctor about diagnosis. Medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and skin biopsy (laboratory tests) are all paths that a dermatologist may choose to take in the diagnosis of pityriasis rosea. Usually the physical examination is the key factor in determining whether pityriasis rosea is the problem due to its unique oval pattern.

Once a visit to a dermatologist has been made, there are many treatment options for pityriasis rosea. These treatments will be determined the following factors: the person’s age, overall health, medical history, the extent of the rash, the person’s tolerance for specific medications, the rash’s expected course, or the person’s preference. There is no cure for pityriasis rosea. This means that only the symptoms of this skin disorder can be treated. These are the currently used methods to relieve the itching associated with pityriasis rosea; medicated lotions and creams, pills, cool baths, oatmeal baths, and ultraviolet exposure (under a doctor’s supervision). Using cool compresses is another treatment which can be used to soothe the affected skin around the rashes. Sometimes it occurs that pityriasis rosea will spontaneously disappear without treatment, however, its symptoms can be annoying and bothersome until this happens and it is better to see a doctor.