PITYRIASIS ROSEA

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Pityriasis Rosea, or "PR" for short, is a skin problem of unknown origin. It behaves somewhat like a virus, since most people get it once in their lives and never again. No one has been able to find an infection agent in most cases studied. Several years ago, some researchers found a virus-like particle in some skin biopsies.

Pityriasis rosea is:

A. A NUISANCE

B. SELF-LIMITING

C. NON-SCARRING (as long as you don't scratch a lot)

D. NOT SERIOUS

E. NOT DUE TO SOMETHING YOU ATE

F. NOT AIDS

G. NOT VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

H. NOT ANY FORM OF CANCER

I. NOT CONTAGIOUS

There is no need to sterilize your dishes or glasses. You do not have to wash your towels and linens separately from everyone else, and you do NOT have to isolate yourself from anyone else.

Typical "PR" is characterized by 1-2 centimeter sized oval spots, usually somewhat pink to red, with a little "collar" or scaling. A "herald patch" that is larger than all the rest comes first in around 50% of cases, and is usually followed by a shower of smaller ones in several days. They are usually located on your trunk in the folds of the skin. They do NOT usually involve the face, palms or soles.

Unusual cases of "PR" have fine red bumps, about the size of a mosquito bite, in clusters and patches on the body, face, under arms, in the groin, and sometimes on your palms. These bumps also develop those little collars of scale over time.

TREATMENT: Typically, a course of "PR" will take 2-3 months to clear if no therapy is used. Erythromycin seems to help in some cases, may be prescribed and may shorten your course to weeks instead of months. Topical cortisones also help for symptomatic relief of your itching. Sometimes cortisone injections are given in the buttocks to shorten the course.

Going to the beach and getting into the cool water, and simultaneously getting some sun may also help. Ultraviolet light does shorten the course. Heat aggravates the itching, so stay cool. Good old- fashioned calamine lotion also seems to help. Apply it with a paint brush.