Pityriasis rosea is a rash that can appear anywhere on your body, especially your trunk, arms and legs. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams can reduce itching. Christmas tree rash, or pityriasis rosea, is an oval-shaped skin patch that can appear on different parts of your body.
Here's how to identify it and what to do if you have it. Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting rash, which resolves in about 6-10 weeks. It is characterised by an initial large "herald patch" followed by smaller patches resembling a christmas tree.
Pityriasis rosea is a rash that often begins as an oval spot on the face, chest, abdomen or back. This is called a herald patch and may be up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) across. Then you may get smaller spots that sweep out from the middle of the body in a shape that looks like drooping pine-tree branches.
The rash can be itchy. Pityriasis (pit-ih-RIE-uh-sis) rosea can happen at any age but. A week or two after the herald patch appears, it is joined by "daughter patches" - smaller, scaly rashes that form on your chest or back, often in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Christmas tree rash is a relatively common skin condition. The medical name for it is pityriasis rosea. It typically starts with one large oval or oblong patch, called a herald patch or mother patch.
This patch can be very large, up to four inches across, on the chest, back or stomach. It is usually pink or salmon-colored and may appear scaly. After about two weeks, smaller patches.
Learn about pityriasis rosea, a harmless skin condition with a unique Christmas tree rash pattern and what to expect during healing. The rash may also appear in a Christmas tree pattern on the back. The rash usually lasts for several weeks, with new spots continuing to appear for up to six weeks.
The individual lesions form a symmetrical "Christmas tree" pattern on the back with the long axis of the ovals oriented in the "Lines of Blaschko" (invisible skin lines of embryonic origin). This pityriasis rosea rash is usually limited to the trunk, arms, and legs. Pityriasis rosea usually spares the face, hands, and feet.
Learn about pityriasis rosea, a common skin rash with a distinctive 'Christmas tree' pattern. Dr. Ashlee Baldree at Village Dermatology explains its causes, symptoms, and treatment options available at our Katy and Memorial, Houston locations.