How does pityriasis rosea manifest itself in humans, and what methods are used to treat it?

In their lives, people repeatedly encounter skin pathologies. Some diseases are very similar to each other, so a correct diagnosis requires the help of a specialist. Sometimes small spots appear on the skin similar to lichen, which initially do not cause any discomfort. The question arises: how can one determine what these neoplasms contain and how dangerous they are?

How to treat?

In accordance with the opinion of the overwhelming majority of modern authoritative dermatologists, when pityriasis rosea occurs and proceeds without any particular complications, active treatment is not required, since in almost all cases the disease goes away over time on its own and without a trace.
In these cases, the sick person is advised to follow a diet. This diet excludes the consumption of foods that contain compounds that are allergens.

Also, you should not eat foods that tend to irritate the stomach and intestines.

These products are:

• smoked products;
• alcoholic drinks;
• salted and pickled foods;
• coffee;
• strong tea;
• chocolate;

In addition, a person with lichen should limit water procedures, that is, wash less often, since exposure to water can contribute to the spread of rashes and also cause complications.

There is no need to visit the bathhouse , since in addition to exposure to water, a visit is accompanied by active sweating, rubbing the surface of the skin with a washcloth, etc., which can significantly worsen the condition of the skin.

Also, you need to wear certain clothes. Underwear made from wool and synthetic fabrics should not be worn during illness, as these materials can rub the skin and cause irritation, which can lead to complications.

However, all of the above recommendations will help you recover faster only if the disease occurs without itching. If there is severe itching, then you cannot do without medication.

Most often, patients are prescribed:

• antiallergenic drugs,
• antibiotics;

These drugs must be taken orally, and oil-based products are used for external use.

There are a number of other measures that will help you cope with the disease in the shortest possible time, which significantly worsens your appearance.

Among them:

1. Limiting exposure to the sun , since ultraviolet radiation negatively affects the condition of the skin, which is already not in the best condition. This is especially true for the period when secondary rashes have already appeared on the surface of the skin.
2. To prevent inflammation of the skin , it is necessary to change your underwear every day. The linen itself should be made from fabrics woven from natural fibers. Such materials ensure free circulation of air, as a result of which the skin breathes, and metabolic processes, blood circulation and the process of regeneration of the skin proceed in an enhanced mode. Wool and synthetic fabrics can cause new areas of pityriasis rosea to appear. The fact is that wool has a structure that rubs the skin while wearing things made from it, and synthetics do not allow air to circulate freely, as a result of which the body overheats, sweats, and irritation may occur. Also, clothing items should not squeeze or rub the skin.
3. Sweat can cause skin irritation and new breakouts. So it is necessary to wear clothes that will not cause excessive overheating of the skin and serious physical exertion.

The most important thing is that you do not need to prescribe treatment for yourself, because, as mentioned above, another disease or a symptom of another disease can be mistaken for pityriasis rosea.

What is the standard course of the disease?

Autumn comes, followed by hypothermia and colds. Against their background, another minor ailment that appears after suffering a sore throat, flu or stress is not noticed. An oval-shaped spot of pink or orange color appears on the body, which does not cause any particular trouble and hardly bothers you.
Size about 5 centimeters. Sounds like an insect bite, an allergy to synthetic clothing, or some kind of medication. Then multiple small rash spots cover the entire body after swimming, without affecting the face. This stage proceeds quickly, especially if a hard washcloth was used when bathing. Severe itching and malaise occur, the lymph nodes become enlarged, and the original “maternal” spot becomes brighter and begins to resemble eczema. There is a convex ridge around the spot. The center of the spot is peeling. After about 2 weeks, the spots disappear.

Symptoms of the disease

The maternal plaque differs from other elements of skin rashes in its larger size and more saturated pink color.

In people of all ages, Zhiber's disease progresses in the same way.

The first symptoms of this type of lichen appear as a consequence of a previous infectious disease, since this significantly weakens the body and immunity, in particular:

1. The first appearance of spots of a characteristic color is preceded by a general deterioration of the condition, namely the occurrence of weakness and aches.
2. Next, the “maternal plaque” manifests itself. In the vast majority of cases, the so-called “maternal plaque” appears on the torso, somewhere in the area of ​​the shoulder blades or chest; it is also found on the abdomen and lower back. The plaque has a size of 2 or more centimeters and is colored pink, which actually determined the name of the disease.
3. Over time , a yellow biscuit appears in the center of the spot, while its edges remain pink and smooth.
4. After 7-10 days , smaller spots appear on the body, as well as on the surface of the arms and legs, which can noticeably worsen the appearance. The size of these spots does not exceed 1cm.
5. Folded scales form in the center of small spots

The disease can occur during a period of weakened immunity; as it strengthens, it goes away. If this does not happen, then you should contact a specialist who will determine the cause of this condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.

You should not make a diagnosis yourself, since pityriasis rosea can be mistaken for a manifestation of a more serious disease.

The name "lichen" is a collective name

Some people are more susceptible to fungal infections, while others do not become infected even through close household and sexual contact with patients or carriers. The appearance of spots on the skin, similar to lichen, usually causes alarm among those who have at least once encountered fungal diseases.

Many people know that the causative agents of ringworm are transmitted from a sick person or animal. Characteristic signs of a contagious infection are ring spots, round plaques on the head, limbs and torso. Peeling of the skin occurs on the affected area of ​​the skin, and severe or moderate itching occurs.

Spots on the skin similar to lichen occur with the following diseases:

1. Trichophytosis of the skin of the body and head (cause: fungal infection).
2. Versicolor or pityriasis versicolor (caused by several types of fungi).
3. Mycotic and microbial eczema (caused by fungal and bacterial infection).
4. Lichen planus (causes: viral infection, allergic reactions).
5. Shingles or herpes zoster (caused by a herpes virus).
6. Pityriasis rosea (the causative agent is a virus, the causes are associated with allergies).
7. Psoriasis, scab or lichen planus (autoimmune disease).
8. Microsporia or ringworm (caused by a fungal infection).

It happens that the fungus - the causative agent of trichophytosis - is present and does not manifest itself in any way; it is suppressed by the immune system. The same thing happens with shingles. This is a herpes virus infection, its causative agent is varicella zoster. It causes chickenpox in childhood and persists in the nerve endings of people who have had chickenpox. Under certain conditions, the varicella zoster virus becomes active again and causes shingles. The disease is sometimes very difficult, the temperature rises, and severe pain appears in the chest area.

Acyclovir

It is an antiviral drug that is used to fight herpes. Herpes, in turn, according to many dermatologists, is the root cause of the disease.

The compounds contained in the medicine interrupt the spread of the virus and also stimulate the immune system. As a result of the action of the medicine, the rash gradually fades and then disappears completely. Just like the previous option, this drug is most effective in the initial stages of the disease.

Manifestation in children

Pityriasis rosea is rare in children. But most of these cases occur between the ages of 4-12 years. This childhood disease is considered infectious, although today there is no exact information about the causes of its occurrence.

5-10 days after the appearance of the maternal plaque, a profuse rash appears on the child’s body. It is presented in the form of pink or red spots with a yellow tint with fuzzy oval outlines. The rashes are located along the lines of skin splits, often affecting the shoulders, hips and sides of the torso.

Although the disease does not pose a great danger, the fight against the disease must be started immediately. Treatment of pityriasis rosea in children mainly consists of boosting immunity. For this, doctors prescribe Ascorutin - tablets containing vitamins C and P, which are powerful antioxidants, or other vitamin therapy.

Causes

There are several main versions of which microorganism causes the disease.

1. According to one version , this is a herpes virus, namely types 6 and 7.
2. Proponents of another version insist on streptococcus bacteria.

However, in any case, microorganisms play an important role only in the very initial stages. In other words, they are only a trigger and do not support the disease.

Next, the body produces an allergic reaction. This is precisely the manifestation of the disease.

This skin disease can be triggered by factors that negatively affect the immune system.

Among these factors:

1. Hypothermia of the body.
2. Stressful situations , the state of chronic stress is especially dangerous.
3. Previous infectious diseases.
4. Digestive system disorders.
5. Vaccinations.
6. Bites of blood-sucking insects.
7. Disorders of metabolic processes in the body.
8. Minor damage to the skin.

Traditional methods of treatment and prevention

One cannot help but mention the folk methods of treating a disease such as pityriasis rosea.
Among them:

1. Treat affected areas with apple cider vinegar. This should be done 3 to 4 times a day until the rash disappears completely. This product will help kill microorganisms and dry the affected skin.
2. Alcohol tincture of celandine flowers and leaves. This product should be used for external treatment of affected areas 2 times a day, morning and evening. It can also be taken orally, no more than 15 drops.
3. Tar ointment , which prevents the development of microorganisms and dries the surface of pink spots.
4. Cabbage leaf (fresh) is used to relieve itching. Used by applying to the itchy area.

Prevention of pityriasis rosea is simple and includes the following steps:

1. Avoiding stressful situations , as they can cause a decrease in the activity of the immune system.
2. Prevention of infectious diseases and their timely treatment.
3. Strengthening the immune system.
4. Taking vitamin supplements.

Expert recommendations:

1. You should not determine pityriasis rosea on your own , since there is a high probability of making a mistake. Sometimes the much more dangerous, and most importantly contagious, measles is mistaken for the relatively harmless pityriasis rosea.
2. Moreover, there is no need to prescribe treatment for yourself. The fact is that even if the diagnosis was determined correctly, incorrect treatment may not only not have the desired effect, but may even worsen the situation.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical data, medical history, and information obtained during laboratory tests. The examination plan includes:

• general blood test (nonspecific signs of inflammation);
• blood test for the Wasserman reaction to exclude syphilis;
• scraping from the lesion to exclude fungal skin infections.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with such diseases as:

• seborrheic eczema;
• Guttate parapsoriasis;
• psoriasis;
• syphilis;
• mycosis.

The distinctive features of each condition are reflected in the table below.