Stages of Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a condition that initially appears as a skin rash, it is however in its later stages that the rash takes up a distinctive shape. It is known to be a papulosquamous condition that does not spread at the time of its influx. It is a skin condition that prefers to inflict itself on adults, specifically the youth.

Predominantly marked by rashes and redness, the rash is predominantly observed in patients between age 10 and 30. The onset of pityriasis rosea may cause concern due to the intensity with which the rash spreads, however it may not necessarily harm your skin completely if treatment is followed.

As aforementioned, detecting pityriasis rosea at its onset becomes a tricky situation. There are times when skin experts may suspect other conditions to be the cause for the state of your skin. It may also be due to the symptoms that may be created during other skin conditions that are similar to the ones experienced in pityriasis rosea.

Other skin conditions that are blamed in place of the real culprit, pityriasis rosea are:

• Tinea corporis or fungal infection
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Reaction due to intake of specific medication
• Folliculitis
• Pityriasis rubra pilaris
• Pityriasis lichenoides chronica

The pityriasis rosea causes are still not completely known as medical fraternity and authorities are unable to find the exact cause of this condition. However, the most likely cause is a viral infection.

It is due to a group of viruses that this rash occurs. It may also be concluded that the intensity with which the skin condition heralds, and the symptomatic state of the skin highlights the cause.

The symptoms that follow the onset of the condition are:

• Itchy skin
• Roughness and dryness of the skin
• White patchy skin
• Skin looks crinkled
• Skin sensitivity increases
• Rash that appears concentrated at one place and resembles a ringworm
• Papules and boils on the skin may also occur
• Nausea
• Mild rise in body temperature
• Scratchy throat

The first stage is an elementary stage where the surface of the skin does not have any major symptoms. The only trouble with the skin is the itchiness. The first symptom that one may notice is skin bumps in a collective or distributed manner.

When these bumps occur, you may get confused with the way they appear. They look like mosquito or insect bites. At this stage not only the patient, but the dermatologist also can misread the signs to be bug bite or eczema. It may be possible that he may misdiagnose the condition completely.

In the second stage the patient is bound to feel excessively itchy, especially after they have exercised or are under stressful conditions. The rash now becomes concentrated instead of distributed, and becomes more noticeable in the form of lumps or tiny papules. The skin appears scaly, rough and dry.

It is also inflicted with white patches; a state of the skin that is normally observed during winters. Patients in this situation resort to using medicated or even regular body creams to soothe symptoms as they feel that they have developed rashes due to skin becoming dry due to change in weather, or it may be an eczema attack.

The third stage is characterized by the patient developing spot like patches on the legs and arms. The stomach region is also taken into its grip. It is at this stage that the patient may visit a dermatologist and get the condition detected before it goes too far and thus takes its own time for it to self eradicate.

It is generally observed that pityriasis rosea gets cleared all by itself in 8 to 10 weeks, however, one may be prescribed topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone cream that may reduce the intensity of itching. Application of calamine and soothing lotions that keep the skin cool, thereby keeping it away from moisture is useful.

Treatment options do help, however it is far better to opt for precautions. Thus, bear in mind that good hygiene is the first and foremost step to prevent pityriasis rosea.