FitSugar

Common Skin Problem: Pityriasis Rosea

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Skin rashes are no fun. They're itchy, irritating, and can be embarrassing. They can appear out of the blue, and you haven't the slightest clue what caused it. One such rash is known as pityriasis rosea. It occurs mostly in the Spring and Fall, so many people may be noticing it on their bodies now. This rash usually lasts for only couple of weeks, but for the unlucky few, it can last as long as three months. You'll usually see one large patch known as the herald or mother patch on the chest or back. Then within a week, smaller pink patches begin to appear on the arms, belly, legs, and neck. The patches are oval shaped, and have a distinct border.

This rash is believed to be caused by some kind of virus, but isn't contagious (phew). If you go to the doctor or dermatologist, she can diagnosis pityriasis rosea just by looking at your rash, but she may take a skin biopsy just to be sure.

An unorthodox remedy can help clear up this skin rash. To find out what it is read more.

Gentle bathing, taking antihistamines, and applying a topical hydrocortisone cream can help deal with the itchiness, but they won't make the rash go away. I would never support UV sun exposure, but apparently moderate time in the sun or indoor tanning can make the lesions disappear more quickly. Though DrSugar warns that while sun exposure can be helpful, watch out for sunburns: they can make the situation worse and most cases will resolve spontaneously without treatment.

The good news is that once you get pityriasis rosea, recurrence is unusual.

Have any of you ever had this rash before?

Source

Pityriasis rosea

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:52:41 -0700

Illustrations

Pityriasis rosea on the chest

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Pityriasis rosea is a common type of skin rash seen in young adults.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pityriasis rosea occurs most commonly in the fall and spring. It is believed to be caused by a virus. Although pityriasis rosea may occur in more than one person in a household at a time, it is not thought to be highly contagious.

Attacks generally last 4 - 8 weeks. Symptoms may disappear by 3 weeks or last as long as 12 weeks. There is generally a single large patch (herald patch) followed several days later by a rash.

Symptoms

Skin lesion or rash
- Starts with a single (herald) lesion
- Followed several days later by more lesions
- May follow cleavage lines or appear in a "Christmas tree" pattern
- Oval plaque, papule, or macule
- Sharp border
- May spread
- Centers have wrinkled (cigarette paper) appearance
- The lesions appears like a scale that is attached at the edges and loose at the center
Itching of the lesions (mild to severe)
Skin redness or inflammation

Signs and tests

Your health care provider can usually diagnose pityriasis rosea by the way the rash looks. A blood test may be needed to rule out a form of syphilis, which can cause a similar rash. Occasionally, a skin biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

If symptoms are mild, no treatment may be needed.

Gentle bathing, mild lubricants or creams, or mild hydrocortisone creams may be used to soothe inflammation. Antihistamines, taken by mouth, may be used to reduce itching.

Moderate sun exposure or ultraviolet light treatment may help make the lesions go away more quickly. However, care must be taken to avoid sunburn.

Expectations (prognosis)

Pityriasis rosea usually goes away within 6 - 12 weeks. Recurrences are unusual.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder.

Review Date: 10/16/2006

Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_000871

Pityriasis rosea on the chest

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:33:48 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Pityriasis rosea is a skin disease that produces oval spots (papules) over the trunk. The rash is frequently preceded by a "herald patch" (pictured here) lasting 1 to 2 weeks. The rash is usually rose red to brownish red with fine scales and central clearing. Itching (pruritus) occasionally occurs. Spontaneous remission occurs in 2 to 8 weeks. It is probably caused by an infectious agent, most likely a virus.

Review Date: 10/16/2006

Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_2503

Roseola

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:25 -0700

Overview

Signs and Symptoms
What Causes It?
What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
Treatment Options
Following Up
Special Considerations
Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Roseola is a viral illness that mainly affects children. Most cases occur between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Roseola is typically a mild infection that begins with a high fever, usually followed by a distinctive rash just as the fever breaks. Rarely, complications can result from a very high fever. Another type of roseola occurs in adults who have a serious illness.

Signs and Symptoms

Sudden high fever (103° - 106° F), which usually lasts 3 - 4 days. Your child will most likely remain alert in spite of the fever.
High fever can cause seizures. Although you should seek immediate medical attention, they usually are not harmful, and go away when the fever goes down.
A rash appears as the fever goes away and lasts 3 - 4 days. It may look like measles or rubella, with rose-colored bumps 2 - 3 mm in diameter. The rash usually appears first on the trunk of the body. It may spread to the neck, arms, and legs but rarely to the face.
Fatigue, irritability, decreased appetite, and swollen eyelids.
Breathing problems, ear infections, and diarrhea can also occur.

What Causes It?

Roseola is caused by the human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and, occasionally, human herpes virus 7. The disease is spread through saliva and respiratory secretions. The incubation period is 5 - 15 days. It is contagious, whether or not the child has a rash.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your child's health care provider will look for the rash and may take blood to check for other conditions and complications. Your health care provider will take your child's temperature and talk to you about how to treat your child's roseola at home.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for roseola. Most treatments reduce fever, letting the infection run its course. Most children get better within a week.

Drug Therapies

Your doctor may suggest giving your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to lower fever. Do not give your child aspirin. Children should never take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Make sure your child drinks a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Sedatives, such as diazepam, may reduce the chance of seizure.
Phenobarbital is sometimes given for seizures.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Herbal teas can help reduce fever. Adult doses are listed, unless otherwise specified. The formula to determine the child's dose is: age of child divided by 20 multiplied by adult dose. Adult doses may be given to the mother to treat breastfeeding babies.

Nutrition and Supplements

Vitamin C (200 mg two times per day for children ages 1 -3 ; 325 mg two times per day for ages 4 - may help fight a viral infection.
Zinc (4 mg per day for children ages birth to 6 months; 5 mg per day for children 7 - 12 months; 7 mg per day for children 1 - 3 years; 12 mg per day for children 4 - 8 years) may increase immune system activity.
Selenium (45 mcg per day for children ages birth to 6 months; 60 mcg for children 7 - 12 months; 90 mcg for children 1 - 3 years; 150 mcg for children 4 - 8 years) may help children recover more quickly from viral infections.
Vitamin E (6 mg per day for children ages 7 - 12 months; 7 mg for children 1 - 3 years; 11 mg for children 4 - 8 years) helps support the immune system.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to diagnose your problem before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

To reduce fever:

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Use equal parts of the above herbs to brew a tea. Give children ages 2 and up 1/2 cup tea three or four times per day. If you are breastfeeding, you can drink 1 cup three to four times per day to pass the benefits along to your infant.

Garlic and ginger tea with one to three cloves garlic (Allium sativum) and one to three slices of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) can help stimulate the immune system and prevent upper respiratory infections. Lemon and a sweetener may be added for flavor. Do not give honey to children under 2 years old.

Homeopathy

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. Professional homeopaths, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for roseola based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

Aconitum -- for children who have a sudden high fever, especially when the fever is accompanied by restless anxiety. This remedy is best when used very early in disease, before a rash appears.
Belladonna -- for children who have a sudden high fever that rises during the night and is accompanied by flushed face and red lips. The skin tends to be hot to the touch, but extremities feel cold. Children for whom this remedy is appropriate tend to be very agitated and may even be delirious.
Arsenicum album -- for children whose fever increases between midnight and 2 a.m., and who are fidgety and have pain in their legs.
Pulsatilla -- for children who have fever and chills that are worse in warm rooms but better in fresh air. Symptoms tend to be less intense than for the other remedies listed.

Acupuncture

Acupressure for children may be calming and help reduce the fever.

Massage

Gentle massage may relieve discomfort. A foot massage may help relax the child, however, some children will not want to be touched.

Following Up

Most children get well within about a week with no problems. If your child has a seizure, call your provider or emergency room immediately.

Special Considerations

Avoiding infected children is the only prevention. There is no vaccine for roseola.

Supporting Research

Afenjar A, Rodriguez D, Rozenberg F, Dorison N, Guet A, Mignot C, Doummar D, Billette de Villemeur T, Ponsot G. Human herpes virus type 6, etiology of an acute encephalitis in childhood: Case report. Arch Pediatr. 2007;14(5):472-5.

Beck, MA. Nutritionally induced oxidative stress: effect on viral disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71:1676S-81S

Gamkrelidze N, Butsashvili M, Barabadze K, Kamkamidze G. Rare recurrence of seizures in children with episodes of febrile seizures associated with herpes virus 6 infection. Georgian Med News. 2006;134:88-90.

Yildirim M, Aridogan BC, Baysal V, Inaloz HS. The role of human herpes virus 6 and 7 in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea. Int J Clin Pract. 2004;58(2):119-121.

Review Date:
2/27/2008
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Itching

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:07:27 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Considerations
Common Causes
Home Care
Call your health care provider if
What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Head lice

Allergic reactions

Skin layers

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.

Alternative Names

Pruritus

Considerations

Itching may occur all over the whole body (generalized) or only in a specific location (localized).

Common Causes

There are many causes of itching. The following may cause localized or generalized itching:

Insect bites and stings
Sunburn
Hives
Parasites such as pinworm (Also see:body lice, head lice, pubic lice)
Dry skin
Aging skin
Contact dermatitis (poison ivy or poison oak)
Contact irritants (such as soaps, chemicals, or wool)
Atopic dermatitis
Rashes (may or may not itch)
Superficial skin infections such as folliculitis and impetigo
Pityriasis rosea
Psoriasis
Seborrheic dermatitis

Generalized itching may be caused by:

Childhood infections (such as chicken pox or measles)
Allergic reactions
Kidney disease
Liver disease with jaundice
Reactions to medications and substances such as antibiotics (penicillin, sulfonamides), gold, griseofulvin, isoniazid, opiates, phenothiazines, or vitamin A
Pregnancy
Hepatitis
Iron deficiency anemia

Home Care

For persistent or severe itching, see your health care provider for a precise diagnosis and specific treatment instructions.

In the meantime, you can take some steps to help deal with the itch:

Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas. Keep fingernails short to avoid skin damage from scratching. Family members or friends may be able to help by calling attention to your scratching.
Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, particularly wool, over an itchy area.
Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinsing thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath.
Apply a soothing lotion after bathing to soften and cool the skin.
Use moisturizer on the skin, particularly in the dry winter months. Dry skin is a common cause of itching.
Apply cold compresses to an itchy area.
Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.
Take part in activities that distract from the itching during the day and make you tired enough to sleep at night.
Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but be aware of possible side effects such as drowsiness.
Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on localized itchy areas.

Call your health care provider if

Call your provider if itching is associated with other unexplained symptoms, is severe, prolonged, or cannot be easily explained.

Most itching does not require medical evaluation. Try to rule out the obvious causes of itching.

It is sometimes easy for a parent to discern the cause of a child's itching. Usually a simple visual examination will help you identify any bites, stings, rashes, dry skin, or irritation. Often the cause of itching is fairly obvious, such as a mosquito bite.

Recurrent itching without obvious cause, total body itching, and recurrent hives are all indications that the itching should be evaluated as soon as possible. Such itching may be a symptom of an underlying disease or possibly serious condition.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting itching may include the following:

How long have you had this itch?
Does it itch all the time?
Does it seem to get worse, and has it spread?
What do you think caused this itch?
Have you ever had this kind of itch before? What caused it then?
Do you recall any irritant that you recently came in contact with?
Do you have any allergies or sensitivities?
What medications are you taking?
Have you started using any new products recently? What was it?
Have you used any new soaps, fabric softeners, perfumes, deodorants, fabrics such as wool, or chemicals?
Have you been around animals?
Have you eaten shellfish or nuts recently?
Have you had insect bites recently?
Do you use lotions on your skin?
Have you been in the sun recently?
What part of your body itches?
Is it all over your body (generalized itch)?
Is the itch limited to a specific area? What area?
What does the skin that itches look like?
Is there a rash? If so, are there blisters or scales?
Are you being treated for other medical conditions?
What other symptoms do you have?

If there is no localized infection or skin lesion, diagnostic studies such as blood tests, skin biopsies, or x-rays will focus on finding a systemic (whole body) cause.

Prescribed medications may include topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, or tranquilizers.

Review Date: 7/21/2006

Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003217