Pityriasis rosea is a skin disorder with a characteristic rash / scaly patch that sometimes itches over torso, neck, arms and legs. This disorder is quite common skin rash amongst young people.

Pityriasis rosea is a condition where a virus infects the skin of an individual.


The actual term pityriasis rosea is used to define the rash that occurs as a result of a viral infection on the skin. The pityriasis rosea lasts for between 3 and 12 weeks and is quite uncomfortable for the individual. The pityriasis rosea is not considered to be contagious but it should be noted that one of the main pityriasis rosea causes is a virus that is environmental.


This is why more than one member of the house may suffer from the pityriasis rosea rash at once.

Every different skin infection has a unique rash that it creates on the skin surface. The pityriasis rosea rash is no different. The rash is usually in the form of a Christmas tree design. An individual first develops a primary plaque or primary patch following which the full pityriasis rosea rash occurs. The gap between the first signs of the condition and the eventual final rash is quite large. A pityriasis rosea rash is uncomfortable and can cause continuous itching to occur. The condition affects only the skin and does not cause damage to any body organs or systems. It is therefore self-limiting and harmless to the overall health of the individual. The itch, though, is quite annoying and can cause the individual to lose his or her ability to be efficient during the day.

Pityriasis rosea treatment begins with an initial diagnosis of the condition. Usually, a visual presentation of the pityriasis rosea rash is enough to convince the doctor of the type of condition. However, most doctors will seek blood tests to rule out other forms of skin conditions that will cause similar rash patterns to appear. The doctor may also scrape off a section of affected skin and send this skin to a laboratory for analysis. The analysis of the skin will be able to determine the exact type of condition that is affecting the patient. This would then help also to identify the right pityriasis rosea remedies to treat the condition.

Because there is no apparent danger to the health of the individual from this condition, pityriasis rosea may not be treated at all. Following general hygiene techniques is one of the best pityriasis rosea remedies and may be suggested to the patient so that the skin is clean. The body’s immune system may automatically handle the virus. In some cases, creams and ointments will be given to alleviate the symptoms of itching rather than to cure the actual condition. In some cases, the reduction of itching itself would lead to the rash healing because the individual will stop scratching the affected area. Therefore the condition may not be very serious and the use of pityriasis rosea remedies may not really be required.

The signs of pityriasis rosea begin with a large scaly pink, oval patch called "herald or mother patch" often mistaken as a symptom of ringworm. Slowly more pink patches appear on the elsewhere on the body such as chest, back, arms, thighs, and legs. Symptoms are skin lesion or rash, itching either mild or severe of the lesion and skin redness or inflammation.

It may be set off by a viral infection but does not appear to be contagious. It is not related to foods, medicines, or stress. Hence the cause for this disorder is not known. Pityriasis rosea usually avoids the face, although sometimes a few spots spread to the cheeks. Slowly and steadily, the patches can produce a very severe and widespread skin eruption. Physical activities like jogging, running, etc may cause the rash to worsen and become more painful.

Pityriasis rosea clears up by itself in about six to twelve weeks. When clear, the skin returns to its normal appearance. It leaves no scars, although pale marks or brown discoloration may persist for a few months. There are no treatments that cure pityriasis rosea; the disease must run its course.

• The rash is irritated by soap; bathe or shower with plain water and bath oil, aqueous cream, or other soap substitute.

• Apply moisturizing creams to dry skin.

• It does not require much treatment and goes away by itself. Soothing medicated lotions, creams may be prescribed for external itching.

• Lukewarm water bath instead of hot baths are recommended.

• Under the supervision of the dermatologist, ultraviolet light treatments can be given too.

• If the rash itches, treatment with a steroid cream or ointment usually brings prompt relief. The steroid probably does not speed up clearance of pityriasis rosea but it reduces the discomfort.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.