Pityriasis Rosea. Any tips?

[mamicar]

finally been diagnosed with this. its on my chest, boobs, arms, back, legs so far. im into week 2.

gp said to use emollient cream.

any tried and tested tips for me please. its itchy and I am miserable.

[PennySillin]

Apply cream gently and in direction of hair growth to avoid irritation. Does it irritate you? You could take an anti histamine to help. If the emollient doesn't work go back to your GP for some steroid cream or maybe even antibiotics. It takes a while to eventually go.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I had to go to a dermatologist to get my PR diagnosed; GP and nurse practitioner did not know what my skin condition was.

I also found that all creams were pretty much useless when I had PR and had to let it run its course. I was finally rid of it within about 3 months or so; it took that long. Mine was not quite typical in formation (as I did not have the Christmas tree type pattern associated with PR) but I did have a herald patch.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Antihistamines may help a bit as well if the cream does not.

[mamicar]

gp said to avoid steroid creams?

it is VERY itchy. emollient seems to make it worse at the moment.

it is literally everywhere

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I can relate re the itching and my PR spread all over my stomach, chest and lower back. As it did not present in its usual "Christmas tree" pattern it took a dermatologist to recognise it.

The dermatologist I saw told me that creams for PR were ineffective.

(From the NHS page)
The 3 main treatments for PR are:-

emollients – skin creams that are designed to moisturise and sooth the skin
•topical corticosteroids – creams or ointments that contain steroid medication
•antihistamines – a type of medication widely used to treat allergy-related symptoms, such as itchiness

If these don't work, you may be referred to a dermatologist (a specialist in treating skin conditions) who may recommend a treatment called UVB light therapy.

However, there are some uncertainties about how effective UVB light therapy is for pityriasis rosea. Although some medical trials suggest it can help relieve itchiness, others have found it only helps improve the appearance of the rash (without relieving itchiness) during the first few weeks of the condition.

Some people find exposure of their skin to natural sunlight for short periods can also be useful, although you should take care not to stay in the sun too long because prolonged exposure to the sun can damage your skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

You may well have some more weeks of this so I would look into the light therapy option if it keeps itching.

[Bexicles]

I had PR last year. The cream I was prescribed did nothing so I took milk thistle everyday for about 3 weeks and the rash completely disappeared.

[TinyTear]

I had it when I was 12 or something... I remember sunlight helped a bit. As it was Portugal and summer that helped..

[mamicar]

thanks allm hopefully we will hget some sun. I will look into milk thistle. are they tablets?


the itching is unbearable tbh and im feeling pretty low about it. I have so many assignments to do and coming to the end of my course before startin uni in sept and I need my grades. I am panicking a bit because im struggling to concentrate with the itching.


I have heard that using head and shoulders as a body wash helps too so will give that a go x

[queenjellybelly]

My ds had this last year. Took ages for diagnosis & even then 2 drs disagreed. I did a bit of research online & ended up bathing him with head & shoulders shampoo. Cleared up within 3 weeks. Don't know if it was the head & shoulders or if it had just run its course on its own. Worth a try.

[AwkwardSquad]

I had it when I was a young teenager, including on my face, which was nice... My mum rubbed vitamin E oil in to the patches and that really helped to heal them.

[Mammicar]

its all gone used head and shoulders everyday for 4 days and propolis cream everynight :) it went within 4/5 days. Still itchy. But I think that's dry skin from where bigger herald spots where x

[SilkStalkings]

I have had this for 10 days so thought I'd keep track of it's progress and treatment outcomes here. Rash is on both sides of my torso, starting to spread to my shoulders, neck and groin now, itchy as fook, no other symptoms, not run down at all. Have tried Sudocrem, done dandruff shampoo twice, slathering on coconut oil and Epaderm 4 times a day and had 8mins on a sunbed yesterday. Today I slathered Epaderm on wet skin and had to make the kids' tea naked while it dried!

[SilkStalkings]

Also tried Hyrocortizone 1% cream when it first started - to no avail.

[SilkStalkings]

Day 11: interestingly, 2 new spots that are over veins in my wrist have come up in bruises. 4mins on sunbed today.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Creams are of no effect or use at all when it comes to PR: I had to let mine run its course.

Would stay off the sunbed as well.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Sounds like you have the typical Christmas tree type pattern associated with PR SilkStalkings. I would also think you have about another 4-6 weeks of this too, you indeed have my sympathies.

It is also not known what causes PR to arise but more women than men get this.

[SilkStalkings]

Another 5mins on the sunbed today, can't see that it's doing anything. Spots still multiplying - I have polka dot tits! (Name change inspiration?)
GP agreed my DX yesterday.

[SilkStalkings]

Washed with Selsun shampoo (behind the counter at Boots) yesterday. Seems less itchy and herald patch is faded today but that may be a coincidence.

[SilkStalkings]

Another wash with Selsun today.

[SilkStalkings]

More Selsun. Definitely no new spots this week and they are all fading. Can just still make out the herald patch. Yippee!

[Lolamil77]

I have currently got Pityriasis Rosea and I'm literally covered everywhere apart from my face, hands, calves and feet.
It's very unsightly and after 4 weeks is still spreading.
I have tried steroids, anti histamine tablets and Donovex cream but nothing is helping.
Are there any other suggestions please?
The rash itself is very angry looking and each day I get more and more.