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General health

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Original poster

pityriasis rosea

10 replies

SunnySummerDays · 07/05/2017 23:03

Hi ds is 15 and has been diagnosed with this.
He originally was diagnosed as ringworm as one patch on shoulder. But after coming out with a rash the doc says it's not ring worm, she's sure it's pityriasis rosea and the patch was the herald patch.
He's had that three weeks, and the rash has been here a week plus.

Doc says not contagious and will go in six weeks.
But since her seeing it a week ago ( I was concerned it was ringworm spreading) it's getting worse by the day so I'm rather worried and wondering if to go back or ride it out as it's supposed to be like it!
None on face of legs, lots down his sides under his arm and across chest and loads in his groin area. He's not itchy or poorly. But the spots look like acne as in looking deep, like a crater in them.
The herald patch definitely lighter although not smaller , like a 2p size.
Just wondered if anyone can tell me not to worry
Thanks

OP posts:

bialystockandbloom · 07/05/2017 23:14

I had this a few years ago - it lasted a couple of months and disappeared almost as quickly as it came. Left no scars whatsoever (and I usually scar badly, including keloid scars). It also started just before I was on a hot holiday, the patches didn't seem to tan and I was worried it would permanently change the pigment but it didn't at all. Like your ds I had it on neck chest and torso. Poor him, he must feel self conscious but it will go. Iirc the herald patch is always the biggest one and arrives a couple of weeks before the rest. Hope he gets through it ok - and can hopefully cover it with a t shirt!

bialystockandbloom · 07/05/2017 23:16

Btw I don't think I put anything on it except for Healgel (you can order it online, not so cheap but supposedly good for skin healing). I don't know if it made any difference though, not sure if anything would except calamine lotion if it does get itchy.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 09/05/2017 19:17

DD was diagnosed with this a couple of months ago. She had it for a month or so before a decent doctor FINALLY recognised it. The last patches of it are just fading away now. She was told not to 'treat' it with anything and just treat her skin as usual.

millymae · 09/05/2017 19:48

OH had this some years ago diagnosed by his now retired GP. When he asked what it was and what caused it the response he got was "it's a red rash of unknown origin" The rash was mainly on his trunk and was there for several weeks. It gradually faded away and hasn't recurred since.

terrylene · 09/05/2017 19:54

DD had this in reception. No one else got it - not even her twin sister.

I took her to see the health visitor because she was the only one available, but she was stumped and called in the doctor. As soon as I said there had been a patch about the size of a 50p before the rash came along, he looked pleased with himself and said 'herald patch'. He said it was 'probably caused by a virus', no one really knew, and usually teenagers got it.

It was bizarre, just on her body and not arms, legs or face. I had gone through my Penelope Leach book and was stumped, and took her along to the HV to make sure it was not some obscure disease that I should have heard of (and should be embarrassed about [embarrassed] )

It vanished with no scarring, although the site of the herald patch was visible for a while.

Original poster

SunnySummerDays · 11/05/2017 22:26

Thanks all
Another week on and he's still as spotty but no worse and I'm just not mentioning it. His face and legs are still clear. My doctor knew and diagnosed it straight away from the herald spot, so that's quite impressive! Hopefully this lasts just weeks rather than months!!

OP posts:

esk1mo · 12/05/2017 03:06

i had it for around 6 weeks, and it got worse around 2-4 weeks. it also got incredibly itchy at night. it does go away eventually though, with time.

littlerose12345 · 21/02/2018 09:35

Hi SunnySummerDays

I think I have this... just wondered how long it lasted for your son?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 21/02/2018 10:12

I had PR for around 6 weeks (and the practice nurse originally diagnosed it as ringworm). I was not happy with this so paid to see a dermatologist who knew it was PR straight away.

It cleared up of its own accord, no treatment was needed.

Melamin · 21/02/2018 13:26

It is the herald patch that gives it away. If you have an unexplained rash all over your trunk, and their was a patch the size of a coin for a while before, then that will be it.

I had never heard of it before DD got it. HV hadn't a clue. I had gone through all the possibilities like ringworm, but it just is not the same. The older GP was puzzled at first but knew it straight away by the herald patch.

It is a shame you had to pay to see a dermatologist to get an answer. The nurse could have got a GP to look - but obviously thought she was correct.

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