Pityriasis roseais a skin disease characterized by a red or pink rash, scaly, and slightly protruding. Rash that arise can be accompanied by itching or not itching.
Pityriasis rosea can affect anyone, but is more susceptible to those aged 10 to 35 years. This condition is a non-communicable disease and generally gets better on its own
Causes of Pityriasis Rosea
Until now, the cause of pityriasis rosea is not known with certainty. However, this condition is thought to be caused by a viral infection, especially a virus from the herpes virus group. In addition, pityriasis rosea is more common during the weather or summer.
Risk factors for pityriasis rosea
It is not known whether there are factors that can increase a person's risk of developing pityriasis rosea. However, this condition is more common at the age of 10-35 years.
Symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea
The main symptom of pytriasis rosea is the appearance of a skin rash that can occur in all areas of the body. Sometimes, the rash that appears is similar to the rash that appears when a person has syphilis or ringworm (tinea).
In some people, a spreading pattern of the rash that looks like a "Christmas tree" may appear. Some of the characteristics of the rash in pityriasis rosea are:
- Oval shaped with a size of 2–10 cm
- Reddish or pink in color
- Scaly
- Slightly stand out
This characteristic rash is also known as hold patch. The rash will spread to several parts of the body, such as the abdomen, chest, back, neck, thighs, and upper arms. Besides hold patchIn addition, other, smaller rashes, which are about 0.5–1.5 cm, are itchy.
The pityriasis rosea rash can last for 2–12 weeks, up to 5 months. After the rash clears up, the affected skin may be darker than the surrounding area, but will return to normal after a few months without scarring.
Before the rash appears, people with pityriasis rosea will usually feel symptoms such as fever, decreased appetite, weakness, sore throat, joint pain, or headache.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the complaints and symptoms mentioned above. Early detection and treatment is expected to relieve complaints that often cause discomfort.
If you have been diagnosed with pityriasis rosea, follow the advice and therapy given by your doctor. If necessary, the doctor will ask you to come for regular check-ups so that your condition can be monitored.
Diagnosis of Pityriasis Rosea
To diagnose pityriasis rosea, the doctor will ask questions about the patient's complaints and medical history. After that, the doctor will examine the skin to see the rash that appears.
The diagnosis will be clearer when the rash that appears has spread, because when it just appears hold patch, the rash is similar to other skin diseases, such as fungal infections or eczema and even rashes in syphilis.
Doctors can already diagnose pytriasis rosea through questions and answers and examinations by looking at the rash directly. However, if it is suspected that the cause is another disease, there are several supporting tests that the doctor can do, namely:
- Blood tests, to detect whether the rash is caused by an infectious disease, including syphilis
- KOH test by taking a sample of skin scrapings, to find out if the rash is caused by a fungal skin infection
- Skin biopsy by taking a small sample of skin, to detect if there is an abnormal growth of tissue on the skin
Pityriasis Rosea Treatment
Pityriasis rosea is a condition that generally does not require special treatment and will go away on its own within 12 weeks. However, doctor's treatment may be needed if the condition does not improve in that time, or the symptoms are very bothersome.
Treatment of pityriasis rosea aims to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. The following are some treatments for pityriasis rosea:
Drug-drugan
There are several types of drugs that doctors can prescribe to relieve the symptoms of pityriasis rosea, namely:
- Emollients, such as topical glycerol
- Calamine lotion
- Topical corticosteroid medications, such as hydrocortisone
- Antihistamine medications, such as chlorpheniramine (CTM), or hydroxyzine
- Antivirus, such as acyclovir
Medication can speed up healing time, especially if given at the onset of the disease.
Ultraviolet light therapy
If pityriasis rosea has entered a fairly severe stage, the doctor will usually advise the patient to do ultraviolet light therapy. This treatment is known as UVB phototherapy (PUVB). This ultraviolet light treatment can help reduce symptoms and help the rash go away faster.
Self care
In addition to undergoing treatment from a doctor, pityriasis rosea sufferers are also advised to do treatment at home by:
- Always use a moisturizer
- Take medicine according to doctor's advice
- Compress the skin with cold water
- Soak with a mixture oatmeal special (oatmeal colloid)
Complications of Pityriasis Rosea
Although pityriasis rosea can heal on its own, this skin disease can cause discomfort and interfere with the sufferer's confidence. If not treated properly, pityriasis rosea can cause dark discoloration of the skin after it heals.
Although not always, pregnant women who experience pityriasis rosea, especially in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, have a risk of miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women are recommended to always have regular check-ups with the obstetrician, in order to anticipate diseases that can harm the fetus.
Pityriasis Rosea Prevention
Pityriasis rosea cannot be prevented. If you see the symptoms of pityriasis rosea, see a doctor. That way, the doctor can provide the right treatment, according to your condition.