I was interested to read other experiences. I am currently experiencing a recurrance of pityriasis rosea. I had the first occurance about 9 or 10 years ago and my Dr too was not only surprised to see a rare disorder but to see it in someone at my age. I was 27 then. Even more surprised now at late 30's!
I too thought there was a patch of ringworm on my arm and recently had an awful cold and took 2 days off work (that's really rare for me as I'm a bit a workaholic). I didn't pay any attention to it at first, the spots that now cover my tummy, and a fear of having chicken pox actually made me look into what I had. When I read the symptons I realised that my symptons are classic. I would have left it at that, because I'm not suffering at all - not even itchy spots, provided I don't scratch the herald patch - I don't even notice it. It was only when I read that only 2% recurs that I read on and found your experiences.
My herald patch and spots has been so typical in both cases that there is no doubt it is pityriasis rosea. My Dr the first time told me that it was most likely to be stress related.
My only curiosity this time is why now? Its made me consider taking a holiday in the sun (how often is the diagnosis to spend time in the sun?) to make sure I'm not opening myself up to to something more sinister - maybe this is natures little warning that I'm over doing it.
If it helps, I too have had PR before at the age of 38 and now again at the age of 53.
The first time I had it I went to the GP and he said it was PR straight away.
This time, although I knew what it was from previously I went to a GP for confirmation and he said it was ringworm and gave me anti fungal tablets and cream. I was horrified at the thought of ringworm so sought a second opinion and in doing this the immediate diagnosis was PR. I was so relieved to be honest as I hate taking anything I dont need so all the anti fungal stuff went in the bin unused.
Both these times have been after recovering from a really heavy cold and chest infection.
I would think the sun helps dry it out and even up the colour of the skin quicker.
Not sure about this sun theory- I live in the middle East and have had it for 6weeks now- Doctor has said no sun!!!don't use lotions therefore no sun cream or chlorine- therefore no swimming pools but the sea is fine- only problem is , without suncream, i could only go after 5/6pm to avoid sunburn!!
Can't wait til this is over as it's very un sightly and obviously i have to cover up a lot - even though it's hot!!
I first suffered from PR 9 yrs ago, once 5 yrs later and have just had another attack. I am 48. I agree that the rash develops in the Springtime and usually when I am run down and I am usually stressed at work. However, in the meantime, I have also developed lichen planus under my arms and groin area which are really unsightly. I have seen 2 different skin specialists. Both have suggested that UV exposure could assist. I seem to develop the rash in areas which I never expose to the sun and never tan. Off to Spain next week for some vitamin D !
I am suffering from this horrible \"illness\" for the 5th time - I am 35. this is the worst bout I have had and I am absolutely covered from head to toe, I even have patches on my face and huge patches on my neck that look like lovebites. Have had this for about 6 weeks now and it is showing no signs of fading, all the patches are merging into one and it looks horrible. I get it every time I have tonsolitis (4 times in last 12 months). It makes me feel so miserable looking like this and I find it unbelievable there is no treatment for it. Am considering hiring a sunbed just to see if it works
I AM EXPERIENCING PR FOR THE THIRD TIME ONCE WHEN I WAS 10 ANOTHER AT 30 AND NOW 42, BUT THIS TIME IT IA VERY ITCHY VERY ANNOYING. I AM IN MY 7TH WEEK AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS STILL SPREADING ALL OVER MY BODY CHEST, BACK, ARMPIT, GROIN, BACK OF MY LEGS THEIRS EVEN ONE LITTLE SPOT IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD HAIRLINE. HOW WORS CAN IT GET.
have you tried going to a tanning bed and head and shoulders shampoo. I found it to very helpful. This PR really sucks and it is really depressing. I hope you see an end to yours misery really soon.
I have had Pr for over 7 yrs. I have never had a bad break out but it seams that the herold spot is always there by my upper stomache under my chest although sometimes its more prevalent that others. Usually its small and faded. When i get a breakout it seems to creep up my chest and has spread across my upper back. Now recently it is darker than usually and spread across most of my upper back. It seems that once it reaches a new spot it will always go back there when it flares up. I dont understand why I have had it consistantly for so many years many people have mentioned that they have had re-occurances but mine has always been constant never going away completely I wonder if anyone else shares this? Usually i do notice it breaking out when I am sick, stressed, or the temperature of water or outside has affected it. For so long i just ignored it even though it bothered me because it was hidden by clothing but now it seems to be popping up more and more in places that are visible, like my back and chest. It makes me very frustrated and subconcious although after reading i feel my case is thankfully not so severe besides the amount of time it has lasted. I am definetly going to try Zinc Oxide Cream, but definetly not tanning since I have had skin cancer. I think i remember using selson blue when i first got diagnosed and after reading ive remember that, going to try it again. I guess i just excepted it as a part of my life for so long but when it flares up it definetly bothers me and i do want a cure!! i find it so weird that so many people seem to have it and they know so little!
I have had Pr for over 7 yrs. I have never had a bad break out but it seams that the herold spot is always there by my upper stomache under my chest although sometimes its more prevalent that others. Usually its small and faded. When i get a breakout it seems to creep up my chest and has spread across my upper back. Now recently it is darker than usually and spread across most of my upper back. It seems that once it reaches a new spot it will always go back there when it flares up. I dont understand why I have had it consistantly for so many years many people have mentioned that they have had re-occurances but mine has always been constant never going away completely I wonder if anyone else shares this? Usually i do notice it breaking out when I am sick, stressed, or the temperature of water or outside has affected it. For so long i just ignored it even though it bothered me because it was hidden by clothing but now it seems to be popping up more and more in places that are visible, like my back and chest. It makes me very frustrated and subconcious although after reading i feel my case is thankfully not so severe besides the amount of time it has lasted. I am definetly going to try Zinc Oxide Cream, but definetly not tanning since I have had skin cancer. I think i remember using selson blue when i first got diagnosed and after reading ive remember that, going to try it again. I guess i just excepted it as a part of my life for so long but when it flares up it definetly bothers me and i do want a cure!! i find it so weird that so many people seem to have it and they know so little!
Hi, I too am a sufferer of PR. I first had an outbreak after being sick sometime in the early spring (27 years old). I got the herald patch and all the spots. It lasted about 3 months. It went away, then the a year later came back, then the next year got it again. It always seems to come in the spring. I have also gotten random spots here and there but never a full outbreak (in between outbreaks). It is more annoying than anything. Is this something that just stays dormant in your body??
I have broken out in this over5 times. I am searching for the answer of how is it possible to keep getting it. It is awful and it itches terribly. To think it is such a tiny needle point dot before herold growes. I am 48 I first got it 15 or so year ago. And it is probably my 8 or so episode. Miserable whats wrong with us.
I, too, am suffering from PR for the 3rd time. All 3 times have been after having strep throat. After doing research, I have discovered that, fo rme, it is an auto immune issue. As my body goes to heal, the good/healing cells are presumed as enemies by my body so my body attacks itself by releasing histimine, causing the welps/hives. I'm currently on week 2 with it this time. I'm waiting on it to stop spreading before I visit the tanning bed. I live where it's HOT, so I am running out of time before it's extremely hot here and I"m forced to wear shorts and sleeveless tops. Praying it goes away with a few visits to the tannin bed soon. How are you doing now, a month later? Is it getting better for you?
OMG.......you are the first person that i have heard with the same issue as mine. I have sufferred for about 5 years, it has never really went away but the flare ups have been minimal. I have recently suffered from the worst flare up I have ever had.....I hope it this will be the end of it. Are you still suffering?
I am 67 years old and have had PR off and on since I was pregnant with my first child, 42 years ago ! It usually didn't bother me too much and was not severe, but is now on my neck and itchy. After I saw how awful it could be from pics on the web , I'm thankful it isn't worse, but would really like to be rid of it? I now have some things to try from this post. Thank you for sharing your story.
Hello, I'm 19 and I'm currently expeirencing my second lot of pityriosis rosea. The first time I had a distinct solitary patch which was diagnosed as ring worm. Within a few days I was covered in smaller patches, and upon returning to the Dr he took one look at the marks on my body and knew exactly what it was. He has only seen it twice in his career! This case lasted 10 weeks; and I was told ro use athletes foot cream to help the itch. This time, it's 16 months later than the last outbreak and here I have it again. Although I don't rwally have a distinct herald patch this time and it's really bad in my underarms. Although I've had this one for about 3 weeks and it already seems to be healing!
My 2 year old was recently finally diagnosed with PR after bouts of anti fungal creams and wrong diagnoses. He has now had this condition for about a year now. We use emollients and antihistamines but nothing seems to help with the itching or fast progression. He still itches and the patches all seem to merge into one. About 80% of his body is covered now. Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Hi there! it is a bit of a relief to hear that someone close in my age group has experienced PR for a second time. I had the herald patch a while back and felt a cold come on a few weeks ago and then just this week i noticed the smaller spots that come with PR appeared on my skin. I was worried because I heard PR rarely reoccurs but by reading all of these posts I am a bit more comforted that I am not alone. I first experienced PR when I was 10 and no one knew what it was and now I am 20 and have it again. It didnt really concern me back then being a kid but now that I am older I notice and worry about things a bit more.
i hear ya! i am 28 years old. i had the first outbreak when i was like 13 which was awesome didnt have to go to school til my mom figured out that its not contagious. and it was only like 7 patches on my abdomen.. Boom done withing 3 weeks... and here i am now 28 years old and i look like a chetah from neck to navel. i dont know why we are getting this reoccurence of something that we are suppose to only see once in a lifetime but maybe i should start playing the lotto.
Things ive tried:
Clinical strength slesun blue- OUCH!!!!! burned
Antibacterial soap- nothing
Aquaphor- feels smoother
Tea tree Conditioner- feels better, smoother, kept from over heating, still red and pink!!!
I was first diagnosed when I was 12. I would go thru periods of breaking out, or only having one or two spots, then it would clear up for a few months and it would come back again. This went on till I was approx 40 yrs old. So what changed? I became a strict vegetarian. I had no meat for 3 yrs. The other side benefit was my rosacea drastically improved. Might want to give it a try...