<p>Parents: have any of you heard of pityriasis rosea?</p>
<p>I unfortunately have this benign skin disease, and while it’s been nearly six weeks, it seems that I’m just growing new crops of bumps all over me. The herald rash has considerably grown larger since its onset, and looks salmon-pink and shiny in the midddle with rough edges on my right foot.</p>
<p>I’m almost desperate to call psychic friends to see if this disease will ever go away. I can’t even wear half the clothes in my closet because of this. I’m a junior in college, and it’s already affecting my performance in classes. I can’t even wake up and get dressed without feeling depressed/angry.</p>
<p>I cant say I am very familiar with it- but the good news is, it sounds innocuous and short lived.</p>
<p>I am a little concerned that it is affecting your performance in classes.
Is it possible it was misdiagnosed?
It sounds like it is a short lived skin disease that with mild itchiness.
I can see how that can be annoying- but if you are unable to wear clothing and are depressed, I suggest you consult your doctor for suggestions.
There are other conditions like Psoriasis, that seem never to go away- I have several friends who have one type or another that they have had to cope with for years- but you can’t let something that is short lived- not contagious- hopefully only mildly annoying bother you so much.
Life is full of petty annoyances- take a deep breath and relax- this too will pass.</p>
<p>Yeah, I 've had it. Don’t worry, it goes away. This is the disease that spawned the nickname “seven year itch.” It doesn’t last seven years; it just seems that long.</p>
<p>Tensighs:
Heck, I can’t even pronounce it - but I did a Google search for it, and it looks like the advice you got above was right on. It does go away by itself, and only recurs in 3% of the cases.</p>
<p>See the sites below for suggested medications like Benadryl & hydrocortisone (but READ the suggestions fully):</p>
<p>Optimizer, I currently use Benadryl and it works (HOWEVER I can only use it when I go to bed. Benadryl makes me go to sleep!) I’ve tried a generic of Allegra but it seems like I still itch during the day. (argh!!!) Why couldn’t the pharmacy give me the real Allegra?? oh well</p>
<p>Anything that would stop the itch in my upper and lower back would be lifesaving!!! I had to constantly adjust my bra strap and my belt bucket the entire day! I’ve already had this for nearly six weeks so far.</p>
<p>I wonder if treatments like oatmeal baths( Aveeno?) for chicken pox would help.
I also put vitamin E capsules ( squeeze it out) on my D pox once they were closed to help them fade away faster.</p>
<p>There are antihistimines that don’t make you sleepy- benadryl is used as a sleeping aid for some so that wouldn’t be it= look for some that only have one ingredient on label.</p>
<p>My sympathies! H had this about a decade ago and thought it would never end. He actually had such a bad case that he had a medical chit excusing him from work since he couldn’t wear a uniform. Good news is it doesn’t scar! As I remember it didn’t even really fade away, just left very quickly. Take care and remember, this, too, shall pass. Let’s just hope it passes quickly!</p>
<p>I had this past summer and at first felt like the rash was alarming and that I should explain it to everyone (not contagious). Since you’ve had it six weeks, you’re coming to the end of it. I can barely remember it now, 3 months later, that I had it. Be glad it will go away. (Easier to say when you’re my age, I know.)</p>
<p>Lefthan, how long did yours last? It seems like it’s taking forever. Nothing has changed to the herald patch. I feel I will have this for another month!</p>
<p>Not to mention that I have PR rashes on my hands and arms as well! (Doc said it’s usually only around the chest and back, I’m so not the typical case!)</p>
<p>This skin condition usually resolves withing 10 weeks, so you’re more than halfway there. Here’s a couple of other drug suggestions: a topical steroid preparation (these come in a variety of potencies, both Rx and OTC), topical steroids with a topical anesthetic (if the lesions cause you discomfort), a short course of oral prednisone (like 10mg 4 times daily and decreasing gradually until Rx is finished), and a non-drowsy antihistamine, instead of Benadryl, for daytime use (such as loratadine…Claritin…10mg tablet once daily…it is OTC).</p>
<p>***Of course, you should talk to your doctor before self-medicating. Ask him/her if you could try any of these things for more relief.</p>
<p>I had this skin condition when I was a teen; it spontaneously resolved itself, and hasn’t returned in more than 40 years. So, I think when yours leaves, you’ll more than likely be asymptomatic from that point on.</p>
<p>Since you say it’s affecting your school work, do speak with someone at your school’s student academic services about the impact its having and ask for their guidance.</p>
<p>When I say depressed/angry, I look in the mirror and just want to cry because I see new spots cropping around my neckline and hands and arms, areas that you have to expose regardless. I think I’m seeing a few on my forehead (what the heck?) but I’m not sure yet. I’m just hoping they are just whiteheads. If it spreads in my face, I will definitely be in a depressed mood.</p>
<p>I understand that changes in looks can be disconcerting- I remember when I was 15 and I hated my red hair so I colored it blonde- however it was more of an ash blonde than the golden blonde I envisioned- ( even though either would have looked odd with my coloring), I then stood up my boyfriend from 30 miles away becuase I thought I looked awful.
He was more concerned about that I stood him up, than what my hair looked like.
It would have washed out in a month- but the hurt feelings I caused lasted a lot longer.
I was proud of my own 15 year old recently who didn’t even try and cover up a dog bite ( because I told her not to put anything on it) that she has on her face- ( she was wrestling with our dog) it caused the whole left side of her face to be swollen and discolored- but it will go away.
Why let the appearance of something that it sounds like you can’t do a lot about depress you?
If you had cancer and all your hair fell out- as one girl in my daughters high school class had happen to her- would you stay home from school? Or would you continue to get straight As and organize a team to raise funds for cancer research?
I am sorry if I sound preachy, but many hardships befall most of us before we leave this earth, who we are, is how we deal with them.
A temporary skin rash- is temporary.
It may seem a big deal to you now, but in 5 years?</p>
<p>Thank you OrangeBlossom, I hope to have counseling sessions (I had this when I suffered a nervous breakdown in the winter because of problems with my professor). </p>
<p>For those who suffered this disease: if the herald patch itches, does it mean I’m near the final stage of the disease???</p>
<p>remember how annoying scrapes and cuts are when they heal?
The deeper wounds often aren’t as painful as the surface scrapes- your touch sensors are near the surface of your skin- it would make sense to me- that as whatever it is, it causing it, is healing- the itchiness would increase</p>
<p>Be sure to speak with someone at your school about the impact the pityriasis rosea and the associated discomfort is having on your work; provide a “doctor’s note” if required. I remember that when I had it, the itch was quite severe.</p>
<p>I found the following info online. Perhaps you should discuss it with your doctor (particularly the part about Famvir and erythromycin), so that you can get some relief and get your life back on track. Use the internet to find additional options to thoughtfully discuss with your doctor.</p>
<p>Treatment may include external and internal medications for itching. Aveeno oatmeal baths, anti-itch medicated lotions and steroid creams may be prescribed to combat the rash. Lukewarm, rather than hot, baths may be suggested. Strenuous activity, which could aggravate the rash, should be discouraged. Ultraviolet light treatments given under the supervision of a dermatologist may be helpful. Recently, both the antiviral drug Famvir and the antibiotic erythromycin have been claimed to produce healing in one to two weeks. For severe cases a few days of oral anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone may be necessary to promote healing. For mild cases, no treatment is required as this disease is not a dangerous skin condition.</p>
<p>I’m glad you’re seeking counseling too. It can be difficult enough to be substantially on your own at college, have this incredible skin itch, and deal with the ups and downs of academic life. Hang in there, get the help you need, and know that all of this will resolve in time. What can look insurmountable now will fade in time. Have faith. </p>
<p>Good luck. Let us hear how you’re doing. :O) OB</p>