Do I Have Pityriasis Rosea?

Hi, I'm Autumn and I'm a 20 year old white female. About two months ago, I noticed a rash forming on my chest, breasts, lower back, insides of arms, and belly area. In the beginning, it was small red spots (not raised) and looked almost like blood cells had been drawn to the surface. The spots spread outward from the center and are now the size of a pencil eraser and some a little larger (still unraised). The rash is very red and dry, but only itch's mildly and burns only on contact. I tried a fungus cream because at first I thought it could be ringworm. (I had a ringworm looking circular rash on my back a month before this rash started and I thought they might be connected.) The cream did clear up the rash, so I stopped using it about a week ago. However, the rash on my belly and lower back has come back and is much worse than before. I looked online and discovered it looks exactly like pictures I've seen of Pityriasis rosea, only my patches are closer together and more widespread (to my lower back and up my sides). Do you think it could be pityriasis rosea? If so, is it contagious? What can be done to get rid of it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the rash sounds like pityriasis rosea. Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and itching. Topical and oral steroids are needed. Water, sweat, and soap may cause irritation and should be avoided in the disease. Topical zinc oxide and calamine lotion are useful for pruritus.

It is not contagious. Please discuss about the treatment options with your dermatologist and get it evaluated.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.