# Pityriasis Rosea - some hopefully helpful tips **URL:** \ **Category:** Skin, nail and hair health\ **Tags:** Pityriasis rosea\ **Created:** [29 December 2021 22:38 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/pityriasis-rosea-some-hopefully-helpful-tips/777148 "2021-12-29T22:38:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1410987](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/e495f1/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1410987](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1410987)\ **Post date:** [29 December 2021 22:38 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/pityriasis-rosea-some-hopefully-helpful-tips/777148/1 "2021-12-29T22:38:47Z")
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with pityriasis rosea just over 2 weeks ago and, contrary to what I was told to expect by my Doctor, have seen a massive improvement in my symptoms in those 2 weeks so wanted to share my tips in case it hells anyone else! By way of a brief background, I noticed (what I now know to be) a herald patch on my arm at the beginning of December. Initially I thought nothing of it but when it seemed to be growing in size, I went to the pharmacist and from seeing a picture of it, they thought it may have been ringworm and i was given some anti fungal cream. I started using the cream but only a few days later, noticed I was coming out in red blotches on my stomach. I therefore went to see my Dr on 13th December and was told it was pityriasis rosea. I was told there was nothing that could be done to treat it, it would usually last about three months and hopefully it wouldn’t spread to my face. Perhaps not surprisingly, I came away from the Drs feeling miserable and felt even worse when I googled images of how bad it could get. For about 3-4 days, I was miserable. The rash was getting worse - what had started as a few blotches on my stomach had already grown considerably - it had spread further over my stomach, my chest, my sides, my back and my arms. I decided to do some research, including coming on this forum. I’ve tried loads of different things so I honestly can’t pinpoint which has worked BUT, the rash has not only stopped spreading, the redness has almost completely gone and I currently have a few faint marks which are getting fainter by the day! So, itching wise I have been fairly lucky. It has itched at night but I’ve found using a cold compress (just wetting a small towel with cold water) has helped massively. For the rash, I’ve been drinking loads of water and taking supplements - vitamin D; vitamin C; Zinc; L-Lysine. I have also been using head and shoulders - I use it as a shower gel in the morning and then for the first week, in the evening, I would cover the rash with it, leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. I have then been applying nappy rash cream to the affected area. For the last few days, I’ve been using Bio Oil twice a day to further reduce the marks and they are now almost gone! Like I say, I’ve no idea which of these treatments has helped but something has made a huge difference in two weeks. I know everyone is different so it may not work for everyone but, if you haven’t tried it, give it a try. I know how disheartened I was after my Doctors appointment so hoping this may help someone as I honestly don’t think people who have never had PR will understand just how big of an impact it can have on someone! ---
**Author:** ![Deedee2288](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@Deedee2288](https://community.patient.info/u/Deedee2288)\ **Post date:** [29 March 2026 18:20 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/pityriasis-rosea-some-hopefully-helpful-tips/777148/2 "2026-03-29T18:20:46Z")
What kind of nappy rash cream did you use? One with zinc?