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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Initial phase
Pityriasis rosea typically begins with:
- A large, slightly raised, scaly patch — called the herald patch — on your back, chest or abdomen
Before the herald patch appears, you may experience signs and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as:
- Headache
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Mild fever
Progression
A few days to a few weeks after the herald patch appears, you may notice:
- Smaller fine, scaly spots across your back, chest or abdomen that resemble a pine-tree pattern
- Smaller spots on your arms, legs or face
- Itching
The rash of pityriasis rosea often is scaly and pink, but if you have dark skin, it may be gray, dark brown or even black.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you develop:
- A large scaly patch on your back, chest or abdomen
- A persistent rash across your back, chest or abdomen
- A persistent rash on your arms, legs or face
Also contact your doctor if you've been diagnosed with pityriasis rosea and the rash doesn't go away within three months.
- Pityriasis rosea. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch116/ch116d.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- Goldstein AO, et al. Pityriasis rosea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 29, 2010.
- Drago F, et al. Pityriasis rosea: An update with a critical appraisal of its possible herpesviral etiology. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2009;61:303.
- Chuh AA, et al. Interventions for pityriasis rosea. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007;2:CD005068.
- Blauvelt A. Pityriasis rosea. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2955172. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
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