Pityriasis Rosea Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Pityriasis Rosea test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Redness of the skin
Red spots on skin
Skin is red
My feet are red
Red bumps on skin
Chest is red
Skin redness
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Pityriasis Rosea?
Pityriasis rosea is a non-contagious, potentially itchy rash that is most common among teens and young adults. It starts as a dry, oval 'herald' patch on the back, chest, or abdomen, and later spreads out in smaller, oval patches. The exact cause is unknown, but it could be viral.
Typical Symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea
- There is a net-like or circular rash on parts of my skin
- Itchy skin
- Pinkish rash on the chest
- Dry and flaky skin
- Bumpy rash that appeared, then rapidly spread to the rest of the body
- Redness, bumps, or irritation on the skin
- Skin problems
Diagnostic Questions for Pityriasis Rosea
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have a net-like or circular rash on your skin?
- Do you have itchy skin?
- Is there a reddish pink rash on your chest?
- Do you have dry and flaky skin?
- Did a small skin bump spread all over your body?
Treatment of Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea typically improves on its own, but does take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to clear. In the rare cases where the rash does not go away or is uncomfortably itchy, a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory or antiviral medication or phototherapy.
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Think you might have
Pityriasis Rosea?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Pityriasis Rosea quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Itchy
- Increase in dandruff
- The skin is itchy and has scratches
- Skin itching that worsens at night
- Skin peeling
- Itch is mild
- Itching
- Dry flaky skin
- Scratching the skin
- Nighttime itch is worse
- Scaly skin
- Persistent, mild itch
- Itch
- Cracked skin
- A scratch
See full list
Symptoms Related to Pityriasis Rosea
Diseases Related to Pityriasis Rosea
FAQs
Q.
Pityriasis Rosea: What This Sudden Rash Means for Women 65+
A.
Pityriasis rosea is a usually harmless, noncontagious rash that often begins with a single herald patch and clears on its own in 6 to 8 weeks, but in women 65+ it is less common, so clinicians take extra care to rule out look-alikes and medication reactions. Seek medical care if it is painful, lasts beyond several weeks, involves the face, palms, or soles, comes with fever or fatigue, follows a new medication, or if your immune system is weakened. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand the key visual clues, possible causes, comfort treatments, and the next steps that may be right for you.
References:
* Zampetti A, Rossi R, Bizzarri M, et al. Pityriasis rosea: updates on etiopathogenesis, differential diagnosis, and management. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2022 Aug;157(4):307-313. doi: 10.23736/S0392-0488.22.07074-3. PMID: 35796068.
* Drago F, Broccolo F, Zaccaria E, et al. Pityriasis rosea: an update with a critical appraisal of its etiopathogenesis and management. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2017 Aug;31(8):1276-1282. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14242. Epub 2017 Apr 26. PMID: 28370954.
* Drago F, Zaccaria E, Broccolo F. Pityriasis rosea and infections. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Jun;153(3):364-370. doi: 10.23736/S0392-0488.18.05831-2. PMID: 29859239.
* Ganguly S, Ganguly D, Saha A, et al. Pityriasis Rosea: A Clinico-Epidemiological Study. Indian J Dermatol. 2020 Jan-Feb;65(1):7-11. doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_533_18. PMID: 32055047; PMCID: PMC6996637.
* Chuh A, Lee A, Zawar V. Pityriasis rosea: atypical presentations and complications. Clin Dermatol. 2009 Nov-Dec;27(6):603-11. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2009.02.007. PMID: 19878280.
Q.
Pityriasis Rosea in Seniors: Treatment for Sensitive Skin
A.
Pityriasis rosea in older adults is usually temporary and clears in 6 to 10 weeks, but itching is often worse and aging skin is drier and more sensitive, so gentle care is key. There are several factors to consider, see below for how it may look different in seniors and when to seek medical advice. Use thick fragrance free moisturizers twice daily, cool compresses or calamine, and only low strength topical steroids or any oral antihistamines with a doctor's guidance, plus gentle bathing and breathable clothing; see below for detailed do's and don'ts, look alike conditions, and red flags that could change your next steps.
References:
* Yildiz N, Ucmak D, Akdeniz N, Dursun R. Pityriasis rosea in elderly patients: a case series and review of the literature. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Aug;28(5):454-457. doi: 10.1080/10286632.2016.1264609. Epub 2016 Dec 16. PMID: 27981881.
* Klaris L, Akimchuk E, Kopylov N, Wiser J, Palamaras D, Nektalova T, Zakin E, Krichevsky N, Cohen JM, Marusyk A, Babayev R. Pityriasis Rosea: A Clinical Review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023 Apr 1;22(4):393-398. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6599. PMID: 37010471.
* Gupta P, Saifi P, Khare A, Singhal A. Pityriasis Rosea: A Systematic Review of Treatment Modalities. Indian J Dermatol. 2023 Mar-Apr;68(2):205-209. doi: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_569_22. PMID: 37492025; PMCID: PMC10363290.
* Kolli S, Patel T, Sivamani RK. Letter to the editor on "Pityriasis rosea in elderly patients: a case series and review of the literature". J Dermatolog Treat. 2018 Sep;29(6):638-639. doi: 10.1080/10286632.2017.1402361. Epub 2017 Nov 20. PMID: 29117769.
* Arefiev I, Rebish A. Pityriasis rosea: An updated review. JAAPA. 2023 Jul 1;36(7):35-39. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000947704.99120.4e. PMID: 37347967.
Q.
Pityriasis Rosea: A Woman’s Guide to Identifying the Rash
A.
Pityriasis rosea is usually harmless and not contagious, often starting with a single oval herald patch on the chest, back, or abdomen before spreading into smaller oval spots that line up in a Christmas tree pattern; itching is common and it typically clears within 6 to 10 weeks. There are several factors to consider, including how it can look on different skin tones, safe ways to relieve symptoms, and when to seek care especially during pregnancy or if the rash is severe, prolonged, or uncertain. See the complete answer below to guide your next steps.
References:
* Drago F, Ciccarese G, Zunino F, Javor S, Signa S, Parodi A. Pityriasis rosea: A narrative review. Dermatol Ther. 2023 Jan;36(1):e15967. PMID: 36636773.
* Klarquist J, Liew YW. Pityriasis Rosea: an update. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2018 Sep;43(6):663-667. PMID: 30118833.
* Ersoy-Evans S, Erkin G. Clinical and dermoscopic features of pityriasis rosea. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Jul;34(7):1448-1456. PMID: 32187640.
* Drago F, Ciccarese G, Zunino F, Javor S, Signa S, Parodi A. Pityriasis rosea and pregnancy: a review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021 Jul;35(7):1495-1502. PMID: 33918231.
* Villalon-Rivera N, Rodriguez-Gutiérrez G, Villalon-Flores N, Morales-Sánchez MA. Pityriasis rosea: A review of current knowledge. Gac Med Mex. 2020;156(3):289-294. PMID: 32415846.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Villalon-Gomez JM. Pityriasis Rosea: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Jan 1;97(1):38-44. PMID: 29365241.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2018/0101/p38.htmlLeung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL. Pityriasis Rosea: An Updated Review. Curr Pediatr Rev. 2021;17(3):201-211. doi: 10.2174/1573396316666200923161330. PMID: 32964824.
https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/110184Litchman G, Nair PA, Le JK. Pityriasis Rosea. 2022 Jul 18. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 28846360.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448091/Eisman S, Sinclair R. Pityriasis rosea. BMJ. 2015 Oct 29;351:h5233. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h5233. PMID: 26514823.
https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h5233