An update on pityriasis rosea and other similar childhood exanthems.
OBJECTIVE
Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition seen in children and adults. Whereas pityriasis rosea is a benign condition, it is important to distinguish it from other childhood exanthems.


RESULTS
Pityriasis rosea can present in a variety of manners. Most often a herald patch precedes the generalized eruption, although this is not always the case. Pityriasis rosea may lead to undesirable outcomes when affecting pregnant women. Guttate psoriasis, secondary syphilis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, capillaritis, pityriasis versicolor, nummular eczema, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are important to consider in the differential diagnosis of pityriasis rosea.


CONCLUSIONS
Pityriasis rosea is self-limiting, usually lasting 1-3 months. Treatment may be considered in certain cases, although there is a paucity of medical studies supporting any definitive treatment. However, treatment may be warranted for other conditions that mimic pityriasis rosea.
Browning
John C
JC
Pediatrics and Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA. BrowningJ3@UTHSCSA.edu
D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D017515:Pityriasis Rosea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000175:diagnosis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology