Pityriasis Rosea Questions & Answers

Updated: May 16, 2022
  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is pityriasis rosea (PR)?

What is the disease course of pityriasis rosea?

Why is pityriasis rosea considered a viral exanthem?

Which groups have increased risk of developing pityriasis rosea?

Which patients have a higher incidence of pityriasis rosea?

What is the viral etiology of pityriasis rosea?

What is the onset of pityriasis rosea?

What are the risks to the fetus of pityriasis rosea during pregnancy?

What do recurrences of pityriasis rosea indicate?

How is pityriasis rosea classified?

What is the role of drugs in the etiology of pityriasis rosea?

What is the role of infections in the etiology of pityriasis rosea?

What is the prevalence of pityriasis rosea in the US?

How does the incidence of pityriasis rosea vary by age?

How does the incidence of pityriasis rosea vary by sex?

What is the global prevalence of pityriasis rosea?

What are the racial predilections of pityriasis rosea?

What is the prognosis of pityriasis rosea?

What is the morbidity associated with pityriasis rosea?

What information about pityriasis rosea should patients be given?

Presentation

What should be the focus of the history for pityriasis rosea?

What is the clinical history of pityriasis rosea?

What is the prevalence of pruritus in pityriasis rosea?

What are the prodromal symptoms of pityriasis rosea?

How is pityriasis rosea classified?

How are the initial skin lesions of pityriasis rosea characterized?

How are the secondary lesions of pityriasis rosea characterized?

How are the pigment changes in pityriasis rosea characterized?

What are oral findings characteristic of pityriasis rosea?

How frequently is the presentation of pityriasis rosea atypical?

What are the signs and symptoms of variant and atypical forms of pityriasis rosea?

What are the racial differences in presentation of pityriasis rosea?

DDX

What should be included in the differential diagnosis of pityriasis rosea in patients with risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of pityriasis rosea?

What are the differential diagnoses for Pityriasis Rosea?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the diagnosis of pityriasis rosea?

When is skin biopsy indicated in the diagnosis of rosea and what are the expected histologic findings?

Treatment

What are the treatment options for pityriasis rosea?

What is the most effective treatment for pityriasis rosea?

What is the role of patient education in the treatment of pityriasis rosea?

How is pruritus in pityriasis rosea treated?

What is the role of systemic steroids for treatment of pityriasis rosea?

What is the role of phototherapy for treatment of pityriasis rosea?

What is the role of dapsone for the treatment of pityriasis rosea?

What is the role of acyclovir for the treatment of pityriasis rosea?

What is the role of antibiotics in the treatment of pityriasis rosea?

What are increased health risks of comorbid group A streptococcal infection and pityriasis rosea?

Which specialist consultations are should be considered for the treatment of pityriasis rosea?

What monitoring is needed following treatment of pityriasis rosea?

When should an alternative diagnosis or immune suppression be considered in patients with pityriasis rosea?

Medications

Which drugs are used in the treatment of pityriasis rosea?

How is group A streptococcal infection managed in patients with pityriasis rosea?

Which medications in the drug class Antiviral Agents are used in the treatment of Pityriasis Rosea?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Other are used in the treatment of Pityriasis Rosea?

Which medications in the drug class Antihistamines are used in the treatment of Pityriasis Rosea?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Pityriasis Rosea?