Archive for Experience of Pityriasis Rosea from 2005

I have been diagnosed with the disease by one gp and told by another is is a mild allergic reacton and told by another i have "scabies"!!!!!. The rash is horrific and is covering the majority of my body and the only place that seems free of the rash is my face and hands. But i seem to be the only person i am aware of that suffers a frustrating constant itch.

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Hello, I am also of African descent and is currently suffering from pityriasis rosea. How long did the dark spots begin to fade on your body? I hate getting scars myself, but I've realized that a year from the injury, the dark spots are nearly gone.

How did you know that the pityriasis rosea went away? I've so far had this for nearly six weeks, and I'm growing spots on my hands, upper thighs, back of knees, arms, back of neck, collarbone, chest, breasts, abdomen and lower back.

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How long did your pityriasis rosea last? I've had mine for almost six weeks, but the herald rash is pretty much still intact. The borders around the herald patch is peeling and cracked though.

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How long did your pityriasis rosea last? I've had mine also for nearly six weeks, and the herald patch is still intact. However, the border around the patch is cracking and might peel. I'm growing bumps on my hands, arms, upper thighs, abdomen, breasts, back of neck and lower back.

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I developed a herald patch near my belly button and went to a chemist thinking it was ringworm, the chemist agreed and gave me an antifungal cream. The cream made the patch itch terribly and seemed to agrivate it-redness and growing bigger. then I developed a rash just under my breasts and on my chest. I was tired and headachey and emotional. I made an appointment to see my GP and explained to him my symptoms. He immediatly said "I know what that is, its PR"!!!! he looked at me and prescribed a hydrocortisone for the itch. I was so relieved. It is now day 10 since the rash appeared and the headaches and tiredness persist, but i dont feel dirty like I did when I thought it was ringworm. Incedently I have been under a lot of stress lately and am not sure if this has contributed. :roll:

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A few weeks ago I began to feel tired and my joints were aching. This lasted for a week, I then started suffering from a temperature and a severe cold, thinking it was the flu I thought nothing of it and rested accordingly. Just as I started to get over the flu, I came out in a rash all over my abdomen. Bathing and any heat made the rash 20 times worse and very itchy(temporarily). When I showed it to the doctor she spotted the Herald Patch to the rear of my armpit on my back and immediately diagnosed it to be Pityriasis Rosea. After speaking to my Mother about this, I now know that my sister suffers from the same thing every time she becomes run down so it looks like once you have it, your'e stuck with it and its probably genetic!

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I have been told by my GP that I have Pityriasis Rosea, but I'm not so sure. I have had the spots and rash for nearly 3 months but it has left my skin feeling very dry and rough to the touch. I have also had a few spots with small blisters. My hands and face are also affected. At the beginning of October I took 4 sessions on a sun bed and had a week in Spain sunbathing, (which I would not normally do). The rash disappeared and my skin returned to normal but when I came back home the rash and spots returned after a week. Has anyone else had any of these symptoms

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I'd firstly like to thank everyone for the comments-it's made me feel so much better knowing that there are other people affected by this horrible disease.

Mine began nearly 3 months ago, i had just started a new job as a hairdresser. i noticed one day, 3 very small red dots on the inside of my wrist, thinking it might be a bout of dermetitus, i ignored it. I had visited the doctor the day after for a different complaint and happened to mention the dots. She diagnosed it as a small skin irritation.

Three days later, whilst in the shower, i noticed that the dots had turned into a ringworm like mark and had spread to my stomach. Having had ringworm before, i went back to the the doctor, who confirmed this and prescribed anti fungal cream.

I used the cream for 2 weeks, by this points the marks had doubled in size(to around 2inchs in diameter) and had covered my back, chest, arms and legs. They had also morphed into large irregular oval shapes with a raised, red ring around them.

I went back to the doctor again, who still said it was ringworm. I was sceptical of this as there was no itching and asked for a second opinion. I was told then it was PR. I was told nothing of the disease or anyway i could help to cure it, only that it was my immune system that was doing it.

I have been back to the doctors 3 times now, to attempt to gain information but no luck. I believe that the professionals should learn more about this disease to put people like myself at ease.

I still have the marks all over my body, which are still spreading. This is a very distressing experience, especially knowing that i can't do anything to stop it. i am still waiting for a sign that it is getting better- 3months later.

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Comments very helpful. I am 61 and also thought it was insect bites from a camping trip. Dr immediately diagnosed PR. I too have tried a variety of things for the really severe itching (6 weeks and still gong strong) and find the most helpful is Emulsifying Ointment BP from the chemist, Sudocrem and antihistamine pills at night to help me sleep!

The pattern of 'spots' has been on both lower legs, the outside of my thighs and the sides of my body, with other scattered ones on abdomen, breasts and back and a few on my lower arms which are the largest.

Heat is one of the worst things so I am welcoming the cooler weather.

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I am 39 years old woman (who apparently this doesnt affect)and have just been told that I have PR.It started about 8 days ago on my lower back and was itchy and underneath my breasts, I thought it must of been changing my w/powder and persisted to carry on itching and tried to put calomine lotion on my back myself (which isnt easy). After a weekend of it becoming worse I made an app at the doctors on the Monday and the duty nurse could not say what he thought it was and got the Doctor in for a second opinion, She straight away knew what it was and said a fancy name and whisked me into her office..I was scared..was I going to be put into quarantine?? She then got a book out and showed me pictures and explained what it was and that it wasnt contagious phew!!Like alot of you have been told It has to work its course. I have woken this morning and it has got worse it has spread all over my stomach, breasts,neck,chest,arms,scalp and to my horror its spreading down to my private parts which scares me! I am itching so much, I feel so uncomfortable and it feels like something is crawling all over my body. I was given 100ml of Eurex lotion but somehow I dont think thats going to last as long as this is going too.

I looked at this site as I was oblivious to what it was and somehow I feel a little more settled now I have read what other people have gone through and there is light at the end of the tunnel..Just hope it doesnt take too long!

Good Luck to all you itchy people..your not alone!:wink:

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Like the lady on comment '26' I have had this condition for 3 months and it is driving me crazy!! Luckily the doctor prescribed it straight away but thought it would be gone in a few weeks. At my last visit he gave me treatment for Scabies as he was so baffled that I had the spots for such a long time!! I am so pleased I have found the information I've needed to explain my symptoms and will take these comments on my next visit to my GP. However I am getting more distressed by it and even had to endure a holiday in Spain having to keep covered up!!

I think it was brought on by stress as i have just come out of a bad and very stressful relationship.

Has anybody had this for longer than 3 months??

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Well -- this site is enlightening! I started getting these spots about 10 days to 2 weeks ago. I was afraid it was scabies --- but hadn't been exposed. Luckily, today we had a snow storm -- there were cancellations at the clinic so I got in to see my family practitioner. He diagnosed it as pityriasis and prescribed azithromycin, triamcinolone acetonide ointment, and Doxepin. We'll see! After looking on the web all afternoon I attributed it to the Prevacid that I started taking about two weeks ago. Now I'm not so sure, as I have seen nothing of this in the previous comments. I agree that it doesn't seem to make much difference how old you are. My rash is basically on my back, chest, neck, and stomach (at this point). As others have expressed, stress seems to play a large part. I HAVE BEEN STRESSED, and now I am MORE STRESSED! I guess my goal is to stay calm and to not scratch. I have plans to go to Florida the end of February. Maybe it will be cold! Thanks for the comments.

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Hi there, I am into my 4th week of having PR. I must say it feels like I've had it forever!

It began when I noticed a rash on my left hand side. I experienced muscle/joint pain a few days before and just generally felt off. I was a bit concerned as this rash kept getting worse by the minute. I felt very weird and almost felt as if I had a panic attack with the onset of this virus. I went to the doctors and they thought it was scarlet fever. I was told to go home, rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol.

I went home but over the weekend the rash still continued to spread. I saw a different doctor the following Monday and instantly diagnosed it with PR. My partner looked on the internet before and ironically said that's what it looked like, and he was right!

Doc was very good, he explained everything, gave me leaflets and just told me to try not to think about it too much, it would go away on its own. I didn't need piraton or anything as surprisingly I didn't itch too much, I could tolerate it. He gave me some diprobase cream which isn't very pleasant smelling but has helped the rash.

However, even though I may still have a few weeks to go, the rash is fading quick but my skin looks really wrinkly I was wondering whether anyone else had this and does the skin go back to normal?

Also I am suffering with weak legs, they do not ache or hurt just feel so weak and also wondered whether this was normal and part of the virus? I also seem to be a bit mythered and making silly mistakes, does it affect you mentally as well?!

I definitely agree that this is brought on by stress. I have been stressed in my job for a while now amongst other things. One thing is for sure, it really has made me think that being so low has done this to my body, and I am trying to be stronger now, and trying to assess everyday life In a more positive way, and not to let things get on top of me... So for me having PR has been a slight advantage for me, although I never want to get this again!

Hello,

I found the testimonials on this site to be super helpful when I was first given my diagnosis of pityriasis rosea. I felt that I wanted to share my successes and let downs as well with the hopes that someone else may benefit.

I am 28 years old. My rash began as a few of the scaly herald spots. I originally did not really think much of them as I am prone to dry skin, and i assumed them to be such. Next a few itchy hives popped up. Again I did not think much of it. My mom has chronic hives (uticaria) so I just assumed I did as well, and started using her remedies. As I grew itchier, and started to read up on that condition, the more I realized that my bumps did not match. Chronic hives come and go and move around the body. My itchy bumps had not moved for weeks, and had that weird scaly dry circle in the middle. So at that point I went to my Dr. He diagnosed Pityriasis rosea right away, and told me I just had to wait it out, and antihistamines would help with the itch. As I read up on the condition, i became aware that I had had a sore throat for the preceding weeks that did not really ever materialize into a cold.

I quickly discovered that antihistamines did NOT help. My itches were so powerful that they often felt like they were burning or throbbing. 3 benadryl could not even knock me out and put me to sleep. At its worst point, Ice was the only thing that gave me relief. I read up on some of these discussions, and here are the things that I tried and found to be helpful.

Helpful:

Ice - putting an ice pack or a frozen washcloth on my itchy sites calmed them down when they were burning or throbbing. It helped take away the compulsive desire to scratch.

Aveeno oatmeal baths - at first i was afraid that the heat would make the spots worse. It did not. The oatmeal bath was glorious. I would put half the pack in the tub, and then spend the next half hour making the rest of the pack into a paste and massaging it into my worst spots.

Oil of Oregano - i learned of this a bit later in the game. Oil of oregano is supposed to be a natural antiviral, anti fungal and antihistamine. It smells super potent - I tried it on half my body first - one arm and half my chest, waited an hour and compared. the results were UNBELIEVABLE. my oregano half was remarkably less itchy and less inflamed. I have been putting it on the spots and taking it orally for the past three days. I am still itchy, but the oregano TOOK AWAY THE BURNING AND THROBBING ITCH. It seems to me that while everything else on my list treats the symptoms, I truly believe that this improves the condition and fights the virus. This was recommended to me by a naturopathic doctor. I read up on it, and I am going to continue seeing what it can do for my seasonal allergies and asthma.

Aveeno and Avene products - while the names are similar, these products are in no way affiliated. Aveeno products all use oatmeal and are marketed as anti itch, sensitive skin products. The body lotion is good, and the more clinical strength anti itch cream works wonders. Avene is a somewhat more upscale skincare product. I think that they advertise their products to be made with some magical french spring water... who knows. The bottom line is that they are unbelievable. They make a body water mist, and i would spritz it on my burning itchy skin in the middle of the day at work in order to get instant relief to make it through my appointments. They also have a product called cicalfate that essentially clears up most skin concerns - zits, burns, dry skin, infection irritation... you name it, it fixes it. I put it on my more scaly bumps to encourage healing.

Tanning beds - I am unsure if this is helping or not. I think that it is, because while i sit on the bed i am not itchy... however I think that the beds may be burning me slightly, which is bad, and i have not been using any tanning creams as I am afraid of it irritating my skin.

Music - A weird one to have on here, but nonetheless, it made a huge difference. When the itching was so strong, I would put my headphones on to sleep. It gave me something to focus on that was not the itch

Fleece blankets - My bedsheets were to rough for my sensitive skin! I feel like the princess and the pea. but wrapping up in the soft fleece blankets is such a relief to my skin after wearing rough clothing.

Loose clothing - I have been bra-less for 7 days. my itch gets irritated anywhere that clothing rubs against, so i'm doing my best to balance wearing loose clothing, and exposing my skin. this is hard to do considering I also want to wear scarves and sleeves so people do not notice the sores.

Things that have NOT been helpful

1. benadryl and other antihistamines, and allergy medications or sleeping medications - I did not find these helpful at reducing the itch, or in helping me sleep. I wish you good luck with them, but they did not help me.

2. Calamine lotion - on its own, it is very drying. I found this made my skin more irritated and itchy. The aveeno cream mentioned above combines calamine lotion with oatmeal so it is hydrating at the same time.

I think (hope!) that I am now on the upswing. Up to the point I am at now, every day was worse than the last. The past two days have each shown improvements. My large herald spots, and bigger scaly spots are no longer itchy and are starting to fade. I now have collections of small red bumps that seem to cluster. They are itchy, but not debilitating like the other ones were.

I wish everybody with this good luck.

Hi, I know you posted this a long time ago but just wanted to ask you how long did you get the rings/rash before the itching started.  My 10 year old daughter is covered in the ring rash but no itching.  The DR says its PR.She's had it for a few days but it's not itchy at all.  ALL the other posts talk about itching.  Am a bit worried that the doc has got it wrong. She also has aching joints.