Pityriasis Rosea RASH

Updated on July 28, 2008
L.S. asks from West Linn, OR
14 answers

Has anyone ever experience this type of rash? My son who is 7 months old. It started off in the middle of June as one big patch on his nipple then by the time we got back ( we were out of town) it had spread to his back. Since seeing the doctor who diagnosed it.. it has spread all over his trunk. About 20++ spots. Some of the spots are raised and salmon color, a little flaky and some are red pinpoint spots under his skin. He also has heat rash going on. He doesn't have any other symptoms really. But since it's still spreading I wasn't sure if this was the correct dx. At first it looked like ringworm but then when it spread it looked totally different. Any ideas no how long it should last? We are waiting to see the doc again. I'm hoping it is this rash which is harmless and not food allergies since we just started all these new yummy foods;-)
I also use all organic lotions and soaps.. so I don't think it's from that.

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C.P.

answers from Portland on

It is just a virus and will go away on its own. I am an RN and my friend, an RN had it. It looks scary but it will go.

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B.W.

answers from Portland on

I actually was diagnosed with this last year- and yes it spread EVERYWHERE until it gradually went away with some medicated creams. My dermatologist did a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. She said it is a rash that you mostly spontaneously get- but you can only get it once in your lifetime luckily. She thought it may have been triggered by my labs showing that I had elevated strep levels, but never got full-blown strep-throat.

Good luck to your lil guy!!

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E.W.

answers from Portland on

Hey Lynelle! In December, I came down with Pityriasis rosea. It started off as a small "herald patch" on my inner thigh and then spread all over my torso. It didn't itch or bother me at all. The doc diagnosed it as Pityriasis rosea and said to let it be. Sure enough, within 8-12 weeks, it was gone. It took a long time but it eventually went away. It was totally harmless and not contagious. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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S.W.

answers from Seattle on

It also sounds a lot like the hives I get from time to time. They usually start with a spot on my torso that looks like a bug bite and then rapidly grow and spread in a matter of hours. It would usually go from torso to extremities. Some of the dots do look a lot like ringworm. I usually take an antihistimine and that makes it go away within a day or so.
It could very likely be food related for Van.

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A.A.

answers from Portland on

Pityriasis rosea is self-limiting. The course for the rash is generally (unfortunately) about 6-8 weeks. You should start to see improvement in 3-4 weeks. With the large patch at the onset ("herald patch"), it is most likely the diagnosis. I have actually seen a lot of this in the Portland area this year for some reason. Best thing is to keep immune function optimized (if breastfeeding, this is no time to stop/wean).

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W.C.

answers from Seattle on

Chamomile lotion with out added perfumes or aloe, laundry detergents with out perfumes or bleaches--now that summer is here you can dry clothes out side. Otherwise keep your child cool and comfortable. It is a virus and other young children can catch it. Washing him with cool cloth and then spreading the lotion on the rash would be the best. W.

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M.G.

answers from Seattle on

I had this about two years ago, it spread all over my trunk and even my thighs and arms. I was told it can vary in severity (spreading), but it starting out with one larger spot and then many smaller one is a classic presentation. Usually the spots go though a cycle, first you see the red pinoints under the skin, then they flake and eventually the will go away.
I don't remember it to have been particularly uncomfortable, but for me it took a long time to clear (3+ months).
Make sure to keep him out of the sun or use very high SPF sunblock - I experienced some discolorations of the skin that took a long time to go away.
Other than that - it's pretty harmless.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.G.

answers from Anchorage on

I don't want to make you concerned, but my daughter had what is called HS Purpura. Since you are a nurse, I am sure you can get information on it. The rash for that is usually on the lower legs and such, but check it out anyways. There is usually an upset stomach and joint issues also. Just make sure that this is not that.
Good luck, Annie G. God Bless!!!!

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M.M.

answers from Spokane on

Hello There,

I had this condition about 7 years ago. I was told by my doctor that it was a virus related to chicken pox. It started out as one patch right below my breast and then spread to completely cover my entire torso. It did itch and lasted about 6 weeks. My Dr. told me it typically lasts about 8 to 12 weeks, but after trying some things I read about it online (primrose oil, tea tree oil, and a tanning bed) it cleared up quickly. Your son of course can not lay in a tanning bed, but I would wait it out, it looks awful, but; other than a little itch it is not painful. It will clear up and most likely not come back.

Hope this helps...

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J.V.

answers from Seattle on

Lynelle, My 3 year old son get a rash just like that once in a while. His is a viral enduced psoriasis. J.

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T.Y.

answers from Anchorage on

Ultraviolet B in erythema exposures should be used to expedite the involution of lesions after the acute inflammatory stage has passed. I found this info on-line and they said hydro cortisone cream helps. Maybe aveeno. My son has skin issues but we found out he is allergic to eggs, nuts and birch trees/ pollen. Good luck. Try vitamin A & E too. The doctor will ease your mind with solutions. I hated feeling helpless about my son itching his skin. Now we have hope and they say he may grow out of the food allergies by age 3. Hang in there. Soap may agitate the situation too.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

My husband currently has this and his doc. said it should clear up in a couple weeks. It's unsightly, but my husband says it doesn't bother him at all. Neither me nor my breastfed 1 year old has shown any spots even with a lot of close physical contact. His doc. said it just shows up on it's own and will go away on it's own too.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter who is 16 just had this. We went to the doctor got some ointment/cream and had to let it run it's course. I think it was about 6 to 8 weeks total for her before it was all gone but is said to last up to 12 weeks. If any longer they need to be seen again. It looks awful and like other things but as you know it's harmless. Let me know how it goes. Take care, M.

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W.E.

answers from Portland on

Hi Lynelle, very frustrating for you all! From experience, doc. will most likely recommend either medication or cream or both. BUT remember something is causing this in his system and this only treats the symptons not the reason. I would suggest improving his immune system. Our entire family does this, my two started from birth (actually while pregnant from myself) anyway if you want to learn more let me know. It is safe with a 100% money back guarantee! It is totally worth reserching because you might have a long road ahead of you on this.

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