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Original poster

husband has odd rash on his back - pic included

45 replies

WhyTheHeckMe · 01/05/2017 08:56

Hi all, just wondering if anyone knows what this is. Dh is in his early 30s and is usually fit and healthy. He has had a rash appear on his back and shoulder and a couple of the same marks on his forehead. It's all under the skin it's not raised or bumpy or itchy.
Is this worth seeing a doctor over?

husband has odd rash on his back - pic included
OP posts:
Mumteedum · 01/05/2017 08:59

Looks like ringworm. Yes see doctor

Degustibusnonestdisputandem · 01/05/2017 08:59

It looks like it could be this:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pityriasis-rosea/Pages/Introduction.aspx
I had it twice as a kid, and my spots looked similar (I'm not a dr though!!)

rollonthesummer · 01/05/2017 09:01

Looks like ringworm-I don't think that itches. Yes, see a doctor.

RoganJosh · 01/05/2017 09:01

Pityriasis is often distinctive because of a slightly shimmery effect, does the rash have that?

pinkieandperkie · 01/05/2017 09:02

Looks like ringworm.

Toomuchocolate · 01/05/2017 09:06

Ringworm, needs an antigungal cream. Get the doctor to have a look though. It's very contagious so make sure you're not sharing towels with him and are washing sheets on 60 degree wash.

dementedpixie · 01/05/2017 09:07

Discoid eczema can often be mistaken for ringworm

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/05/2017 09:56

RIngworm usually has a raised edge, this does not.

It may well be pityriasis rosea, if it is there is no treatment for it and it will disappear in around six weeks or so. My PR when l had it was initially mistaken for ringworm by a practice nurse but its worth seeing a Gp about in any event.

Gileswithachainsaw · 01/05/2017 09:58

Pityriasis rosea

Original poster
WhyTheHeckMe · 01/05/2017 10:53

Thanks so much for the advice yeah it's not raised at all there is nothing at all to feel on the surface of the skin it's all under the skin. Very odd! Will send him docs tomorrow then :-)

OP posts:
AuldHeathen · 01/05/2017 14:07

My memory of discoid eczema was that it was very itchy. Also weepy.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 01/05/2017 14:18

Discoid eczema is VERY itchy and forms blisters which then weep and scab over, usually leaving stars all over my fucking hands. Agree with PPs that it looks very much like ringworm.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 01/05/2017 14:20

Scars! Ffs, autocorrect Hmm. I wouldn't mind having stars on my hands instead, though....

rizlett · 01/05/2017 14:24

could also try the pharmacy - if it is ringworm then a fungicide cream will do it - that or bleach! (as seen (viewed) via google - though it did work!)

wheresthel1ght · 01/05/2017 14:25

My dd had very similar last year, does he have a fever at all?

We were eventually told that it was an urticaria reaction to a virus. My biggest advice would be NOT to give him ibuprofen though. The hospital gave it to dd had the virus reacted badly with it and every joint in her body swelled.

Paracetamol and antihistamines a d if it doesn't ease see a gp

MsStricty · 01/05/2017 14:54

Pityriasis rosea.

BestIsWest · 01/05/2017 17:37

Looks like Pityriasis Rosea to me too. My DD has had it several times. Usually starts with one large 'herald' patch then lots of small ones in a Christmas tree configuration.

puglady · 01/05/2017 19:08

Looks pityriasis rosea to me too

MsStricty · 01/05/2017 19:12

Yes, almost certainly Pityriasis rosea. I have had this several times, once severely - nearly always stress-related, and always, as BestisWest says, with a "herald patch" a couple of weeks before.

randomuntrainedcuntowner · 01/05/2017 19:16

Yes pitiryasis rosea (doctor)

highinthesky · 01/05/2017 19:16

Visually it looks like pityriasis to me BUT I would expect it to have a scaly appearance, and also the spread not to affect the face (usually stops at the neck / chin, I've never seen it on a forehead!). If it started on the chest along the nipple line and then spread over the trunk then I think its very likely to be the case.

I had this many years ago and it was intractably itchy, drove me nuts.

girlandboy · 01/05/2017 19:19

I've had Pityriasis Rosea too, and it was always a bit scaly to the touch. Not itchy though, and I never got it on my face. Trunk, arms and legs only.

BiggerBoatNeeded · 01/05/2017 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WhyTheHeckMe · 01/05/2017 20:46

Oh really, okay thanks all. They're on his back and he has one about the size of a 1p coin on his temple and then 2 smaller ones above his eyebrows. Then a few on his shoulder. They're not itchy, scaly or anything. Just unsightly! He's calling the docs to try and get an apt for tomorrow.

I'll let you know what they say!

OP posts:
MsStricty · 01/05/2017 22:05

There's very little to do to treat it, WhyTheHeckMe. Usually only topical creams to minimise inflammation/itching, as far as I know. That's all they could offer me.

Fortunately, it's self-limiting, so it will fade in time.

I found staying away from alcohol and other inflammatory foods/drinks helped minimise the symptoms. Your DH is lucky it's not itching; it can be horrendous.