Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea
Updated: 02/06/2023
© Jun Wang, MD, PhD
General features
- Very common, self-limited, possibly viral, benign lesion of children and young adults
- “Fine pink scale”
- More common in young patients
- Associated with upper respiratory tract infections, certain drugs, vaccines
Clinical features
- Acute eruption
- May present with fever, headache, malaise, lymphadenopathy
- Initially a single large "herald patch”
- Then a generalized rash 1-2 weeks later, lasting 2-6 weeks, “Christmas tree” pattern on the trunk
Pathological features
- Usually do NOT need biopsy
- Focal parakeratosis and mild spongiosis
- No granular cell layer beneath parakeratosis
- May have intraepidermal lymphocytic infiltration, but NOT neutrophils
- Perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate and red cell extravasation
Diagnosis
- Pay attention to history of infection, travel, medication, etc
- Clinical presentation of Herald Patch, and Christmas tree pattern rash
Differential diagnosis
Management- Treat symptoms only
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