Pityriasis rosea management

Pityriasis rosea is an acute, self-limiting rash mainly in people aged 10–35 years, associated with human herpesvirus 6 and 7 infection.

Clinical presentation

• Prodrome of mild fever, sore throat, headache and poor appetite.

• A single round or oval 'herald' patch on the chest, neck or back.

• Then smaller scaly papules and plaques along skin cleavage lines ('Christmas-tree' pattern); itching is mild or absent.

Pharmacological management

• A: Hydrocortisone cream every 12 hours for 4–16 weeks, OR C: betamethasone valerate every 12 hours for 4–6 weeks,

• OR/AND A: prednisolone (PO) 0.5–1 mg/kg once daily for 1–2 weeks (short course) for extensive itchy disease,

• AND B: acyclovir (PO) adults 400 mg; children 20 mg/kg, every 8 hours for 7 days.