Pediatric Pityriasis Rosea Follow-up

  • Author: Maria R Nasca, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 3, 2011
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limiting disease, and no follow-up is necessary in most cases.
  • Patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus who are receiving topical steroids should have follow-up by phone or by a return visit in 1-2 weeks.
  • As most cases do not recur,[38] if the disease develops more than once consider alternative diagnoses or immune suppression, and prompt further evaluation.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • Pityriasis rosea is not considered a transmissible disease. Therefore, patients do not require isolation and may return to work or school.
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Complications

  • Superinfection is rare.
  • Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is the most common long-term complication.
  • Fetal/neonatal complications are noted in pregnant women.
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Prognosis

  • Prognosis is excellent. The recurrence rate is approximately 2%. Lesions do not result in scars, although postinflammatory pigment changes can occur.
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Patient Education

  • Patients should be instructed to avoid contact with irritants, and must be told that pityriasis rosea is a benign disease that resolves over 6-12 weeks without treatment.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Maria R Nasca, MD, PhD  Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Italy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Giuseppe Micali, MD  Head, Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Italy

Giuseppe Micali, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kevin P Connelly, DO  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Herald patch. Courtesy of the Drexel Department of Dermatology slide collection.
 
 
 
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