Lesion | Itching All Over

Pityriasis Rosea Treatment Tips

January 25, 2010 0 Comments

505006500 5ab6de0de2 m Pityriasis Rosea Treatment Tips

Pityriasis rosea is a harmless, common skin problem that causes a rash. It appears as a rash that can last from several weeks to several months. The way the rash looks may differ from person to person. It most often develops in the spring and the fall, and seems to favor adolescents and young adults. Pityriasis rosea is uncommon in those over 60 years old. It may last months longer when it occurs in this age group. A single scaling patch often appears one to twenty days before the general rash. It is an oval plaque 2-5 cm in diameter, with a scale trailing just inside the edge of the lesion. The herald patch is often mistaken as ringworm. It can also be confused with psoriasis. It is most common in females and those between the ages of 8 and 35. Symptoms only recur in 3% of the affected.

Pityriasis rosea occurs most commonly in the fall and spring. It is believed to be caused by a virus. Pityriasis rosea may have prodromal symptoms (eg, malaise, nausea, anorexia, fever, joint pain, lymph node swelling, headache) that may precede the appearance of the herald patch. About half the people who develop pityriasis rosea have signs or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, cough or congestion just before the herald patch appears.

Treatment usually focuses on controlling itching. Antihistamines, taken by mouth, may be used to reduce itching. Aveeno oatmeal baths, anti-itch medicated lotions and steroid creams may be prescribed to combat the rash. Lukewarm, rather than hot, baths may be suggested.

Gentle bathing, mild lubricants or creams, or mild hydrocortisone creams may be used to soothe inflammation. Ultraviolet light treatments given under the supervision of a dermatologist may be helpful. Oral anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone may be necessary to promote healing. For mild cases, no treatment is required as this disease is not a dangerous skin condition. Calamine lotion may help the mild itch. Sometimes, if the itch is troublesome, a mild steroid cream may help.

Avoid taking hot showers or baths. Keep the water as cool as you can tolerate. Wear cotton or silk clothing. Avoid wearing wool and acrylic fabrics next to your skin. Use as little soap as possible. Use gentle soaps, such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oil of Olay. Avoid deodorant soaps when you have a rash.

Pityriasis Rosea Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Keep the itchy area cool and moist.

2. Avoid taking hot showers or baths. Keep the water as cool as you can tolerate.

3. Try an oatmeal bath, such as Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal bath, to help relieve itching.

4. Apply a moisturizer or calamine lotion to the skin while it is damp.

5. Wear cotton or silk clothing. Avoid wearing wool and acrylic fabrics next to your skin.

6. Use as little soap as possible. Use gentle soaps, such as Basis, and Dove.

Pityriasis Rosea Facts and Pityriasis Rosea Treatment

December 26, 2008 0 Comments

Pityriasis rosea is a skin disease marked by patches of pink, oval rash. Although its exact cause is unknown and its onset is not linked to food, medicines or stress, it is thought that this essentially non-contagious condition is set off by a virus. Pityriasis rosea can affect members of either sex of any age. Pityriasis rosea is uncommon in those over 60 years old. It may last months longer when it occurs in this age group. A single scaling patch often appears one to twenty days before the general rash. It is an oval plaque 2-5 cm in diameter, with a scale trailing just inside the edge of the lesion. The herald patch is often mistaken as ringworm. It can also be confused with psoriasis. Often, the patches are confined to the upper body and may follow the ribs in lines. The rash lasts around one or two months then clears up completely.

What causes it?

Pityriasis rosea may be set off by a viral infection but it does not appear to be contagious. Herpes viruses 6 and 7 have sometimes been associated with pityriasis rosea. It is not related to foods, medicines, or stress.

Pityriasis rosea clears up by itself in about six to twelve weeks. When clear, the skin returns to its normal appearance. It leaves no scars, although pale marks or brown discolouration may persist for a few months in dark skinned people.

What are the symptoms?

Pityriasis rosea causes a rash.

* The rash often begins with a single, round-to-oval, pink patch that is scaly with a raised border (herald patch). Its size ranges from 2 cm to 10 cm. The larger size is more common. See an illustration of a herald patch.

* Days to weeks later, salmon-colored, 1 cm to 2 cm oval patches appear in batches on the abdomen, chest, back, arms, and legs. Patches sometimes spread to the neck but rarely to the face.

*Itching of the lesions (mild to severe)

* Fever & fatigue (but rare)

Pityriasis Rosea Treatment

Treatment may include external and internal medications for itching. Aveeno oatmeal baths, anti-itch medicated lotions and steroid creams may be prescribed to combat the rash. Lukewarm, rather than hot, baths may be suggested. Strenuous activity, which could aggravate the rash, should be discouraged. Ultraviolet light treatments given under the supervision of a dermatologist may be helpful. Recently, both the antiviral drug Famvir and the antibiotic erythromycin have been claimed to produce healing in one to two weeks. For severe cases a few days of oral anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone may be necessary to promote healing

Papulosquamous – Annular Pattern Disease-Skin Disorders

December 11, 2008 0 Comments

Psariasis

Annular patterns are particularly likely to be found in psoriasis when individual lesions undergo resolution. In such a situation the central portion of a plaque fades, leaving an erythematous border at the periphery. This border is generally wider (5 to 8 mm) than that found in the other annular diseases, and there is a tendency for the border to break up into individual papules. The size of the annular lesions and their configuration depend on the appearance of the plaque that preceded them. Since annularity usually occurs during resolution, centrifugal growth is not commonly seen. Typical psoriatic scale is usually present on the border, but when the disease is under active treatment, the formation of scale is minimal or absent. Diagnosis is not ordinarily difficult, since more typical lesions of psoriasis can be found elsewhere on the body.

Tinea Corparis

Annular lesion’s are found in Microsporum. sp. infections of children and in TrichoPhyton rubrum. infections of adults. In children the lesions are solitary or are few in number. They are usually only 2 to 4 cm in diameter and are generally found on exposed surfaces. Complete circles are formed, and there is relatively little tendency for coalescent growth of adjacent lesions. Scale is always present at the active border. The amount of inflammation and thus the intensity of the redness are highly variable. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations, fungal cultures, or both should be carried out to confirm a clinical diagnosis.

The annular lesions of tinea corporis in adults are quite different. Larger rings are noted, and coalescent growth frequently results in the development of very large lesions with serpiginous borders. Complete circles are not often found, and in fact, gaps in the ring-like border may be large enough to interfere with recognition of the annular pattern. The active, advancing border is quite narrow (1 to 3 mm) and is usually scaling. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation may be found within the central portion of the lesions as centrifugal growth occurs. New circles can sometimes redevelop in the cleared central area of the larger rings. Tinea corporis in the adult usually begins on the upper, inner thighs and from there extends onto the buttocks and lower trunk around the belt line. Less commonly, the face or dorsal surface of the hands may be involved. The disease is pruritic, and excoriations (fungal eczema) are often present. KOH preparations, fungal cultures, or both should be used to confirm a clinical diagnosis.

Lupus Erythematosus

The lesions of discoid Lupus Erythematosus (LE) regularly assume an annular configuration when the central portions of otherwise-solid plaques begin to undergo resolution. This resolution often results in the development of hypopigmentation and scarring in the central area. The presence of scarring is a pathognomonic feature of discoid LE. Some of these annular plaques are stable in size, while others show evidence of very slow centrifugal growth. The active border is usually thin, with some evidence of scale formation. Most lesions are 2 to 5 cm in diameter. Lesions are most often found on the face, scalp, and neck, but occasionally the upper trunk and arms are involved. A clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by biopsy.

Annular lesions are also seen in subacute cutaneous LE and, sometimes, in systemic LE. They are located on the trunk and proximal arms rather than on the face and scalp. These lesions greatly resemble those of the gyrate erythemas . On the other hand, they lack the central hypopigmentation and scarring found in discoid-type disease. Pityriasis Hosea. The herald patch of pityriasis rosea regularly demonstrates an annular configuration. The border is brown-red, and fine (pityriasis-type) scale is present. The lesion is usually 3 to 5 cm in diameter and, once present, does not grow in size. The herald patch when seen in the presence of full-blown pityriasis rosea is not difficult to recognize. Unfortunately, when it occurs before the rest of the disease develops, it is easily misdiagnosed as tinea corporis. KOH preparations will, of course, distinguish between the two. The smaller lesions of pityriasis rosea are only rarely annular.

Lichen Planus

Ringed lesions are sometimes seen in lichen planus, but they are generally outnumbered by more typical flat-topped papules and plaques. Annular lesions when present are quite small, rarely measuring more than 2 or 3 cm in diameter. Both partial and complete circles may be formed. It is sometimes possible to distinguish, within the annulus, individual papules that have not completely coalesced. The color is distinctively violaceous, and the surface is shiny because of the reflective properties of compacted lichenoid scale. Annular lesions are particularly likely to be found on the volar surface of the wrists and on the shaft of the penis. The presence of one or more linear lesions occurring as a result of the Koebner phenomenon is a very helpful diagnostic sign. Biopsy is pathognomonic.

Secandary SyPhilis

Annular lesions are occasionally seen in secondary syphilis. As in lichen planus, the annular lesions are small, with most being less than 2 cm in diameter. The color is red rather than violaceous. Linear lesions are not found. The annular lesions of secondary syphilis are particularly common on the face and genitalia. Clinical recognition is assisted by the regular presence of other symptoms and signs of secondary syphilis. The serologic test for syphilis will be positive. Biopsy of the lesions is highly distinctive.

Itching All Over

Pityriasis Rosea Treatment Tips

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Pityriasis Rosea Facts and Pityriasis Rosea Treatment

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Papulosquamous – Annular Pattern Disease-Skin Disorders

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