Pityriasis Rosea for a second time?!?!?

At the beginning of 07' or the end of 06' (I can't remember exactly), I was diagnosed with Pityriasis Roasea. I had a very clear cut case, exactly described in the medical books, except no itching. My herald patch was quite large, the approx. size of a soap bar. The rest of the outbreak occurred after the herald patch, just like it said. Very slight, mild itching occurred. Then, in about two or three months it went away completely. No scarring.However, now it seems it is starting again, although I know it's quite rare. It began with a penny size or slightly smaller skin irritant similar to the others located next to my belly button. It seemed to grow just a bit over the week, and I experienced minor itching. Also, I developed a flu/cold that is still lingering slightly. Oh, and I also developed a cold sore above my lip. I have gotten those before, usually accompanied by fevers since I was a child. Now, its been a little over a week, and the random patches are developing all over again.I've been trying to research what I can on my own, but everything says it's so rare to get a reoccurrence. I know it's been more prominent when there is an upper respiratory infection and has been related to different types of herpes virus. THEN, I stumbled onto all of these other types of illnesses with similar features such as Pityriasis Lichenoides, PLEVA, and Mucha-Habermann disease. Some which have been associated with horrible conditions such as HIV!
So, I guess my main question is should I be concerned that it is any of these other types of illnesses, or Pityriasis Rosea again, which is soooo rare? I only think that the others could be a possibility because of the extreme differences I experienced in the size of my herald patch from the first time. This time, it's so small(if it is a herald patch) that I'm confused if its Pityriasis Rosea again. Is there any study of the size and severity of the Pityriasis Rosea outbreaks on patients who experience them a second time around?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Please do yourself a favor and stop doing internet research on every scaly eruption you can find and almost certainly don't have.  Chances are your new rash is a form of eczema that has nothing to do with pityriasis or anything else.  You'll need to see a doctor in person to clarify this.  It does not, however, sound like anything the least bit serious.  Check it out.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff