skin disorders
Pityriasis Rosea
Symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea at first causes a single rose-colored or tan-colored round patch of skin about 1 to 4 inches (2 to 10 centimeters) in diameter. Doctors call this first patch a herald or mother patch. This patch usually develops on the torso. Initially, most people who have pityriasis rosea develop one large scaly patch called the herald patch (arrow), and, within 1 to 2 weeks, smaller tan- or rose-colored patches can occur on the trunk, arms, and legs. Image courtesy of the Public Health Image Library of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This photo shows bluish purple, scaly patches on the back and arms of a person with pityriasis rosea. Patches that appear more pink in people with light skin appear bluish purple, very dark, or both in people with dark skin. Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD. Photo provided by Thomas Habif, MD. This photo shows red and bluish purple, oval, scaly patches on the head and torso of a person with pityriasis rosea. Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD. In 7 to 14 days, many similar but smaller, scaly patches appear on other parts of the body. These secondary patches are most common on the torso, especially along and radiating from the spine. The patches may appear more rose or tan in color in people with light skin and may appear more purple in people with dark skin. In children, the patches commonly begin in the groin or underarms and spread outward. Children and pregnant women may have little or no scaling. Most people with pityriasis rosea have some itching, and in some people the itching can be severe. Sometimes the patches appear without any previous symptoms, but some people have a vague feeling of illness, loss of appetite, fever, headache, and sometimes joint pain a few days before the patches appear. 