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How I beat pityriasis rosea in 8 days (without tanning!)

Posted , 4 users are following.

bobbiebears
bobbiebears

When I realized I had pityriasis rosea, I read through the posts on this forum like it was my job. I came up with my own regimen and it has nearly cleared it in a little over a week, so I thought I'd give back and shared what worked for me!

I had pityriasis once when I was 14 (I'm now in my early 20s) and was therefore a little nervous when I saw the herald patch. I figured it might just be a dry patch, though, and ignored it until I broke out in a rash all over my torso a few weeks later. That was last Tuesday, and since I had this lovely rash before, it didn't take me long to figure out what it was. I don't remember how long the rash lasted the last time around as a point of reference, so I was pretty upset by the prospect of having an unsightly rash all over my torso for what could be months.

I read anything I could find online, trying to figure out what I could do to get this sucker out of my life in a hurry. I was a little upset to see that so many people found success in tanning, because I am pale/risk averse, so I wasn't about to go tanning no matter how much it might help. Eventually, I came up with a regimen that seems to have worked for me:

- Head and shoulders as a body wash (I would slather it on and then wait ~10 minutes before hopping in the shower)

- Vitamin C and Vitamin D3 supplements

- 40% zinc oxide diaper rash cream (put it on after my shower, before bed)

It's now 8 days since I noticed the rash and it's already faded to the point where you might not notice it unless I mentioned it. It's definitely still there, because it got darker when I took a warm shower this morning, but it is a zillion times better than it was a week ago. Except for the herald patch, it never flaked or itched or anything – just (touch wood) retreated back from whence it came!

I'm inclined to think the zinc oxide cream is what helped most, because I've only used it for three nights and the spots have faded dramatically since then. No idea if that's what really did the trick, though, and it's possible that my immune system just did a better job of fighting it off since I've had it before, but I figured it might help someone else so I might as well share my story!

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • kim26473
    kim26473 bobbiebears

    Posted

    Thank you for sharing! I am also fair skinned & prone to sun damage so I am looking for an alternative to tanning beds. I haven't thought of diaper task cream yet so I'm going to try ASAP! I feel like I'm losing my mind due to the constant terrible itching all over with no relief. Trying to pump up my immune system as well & I hope I can shake it quickly like you. Wish me luck!
  • ruby14691
    ruby14691 bobbiebears

    Posted

    Thank you so much for this!!! When I saw my GP I got basically no help whatsoever from her and this forum has basically been my saving grace! I have also been using sudocrem like crazy (plus the supplements and head and shoulders scrub AND coconut oil) and I can't narrow it down to one thing but the combination has drastically improved the appearance of my rash. I hope anybody who has come here for help sees this because it really has worked for me!! All the best to everyone else getting through this horrendous rash
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