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Pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea is different to pityriasis versicolor.

Check if you have pityriasis rosea

The main symptom of pityriasis rosea is a rash.

Some people get flu-like symptoms a few days before the rash appears, including:

The rash appears in 2 stages.

Stage 1: single, round patch

The first stage of the rash is a single, scaly patch called a herald patch.

The herald patch is usually oval or round, slightly raised and about 2cm to 5cm across. It usually appears on the chest, thigh, upper arm or neck, but you can get it anywhere on the body.

Close-up of a herald patch on white skin. The patch is oval-shaped, scaly and pink, with a darker pink border.
On white skin, the herald patch is usually pink with a red border. On brown or black skin, the herald patch may be darker with a light border.

Stage 2: widespread rash

A widespread rash of small, scaly spots appears about 5 to 15 days after you get the herald patch.

Usually you get the rash on your chest and back, but it can appear on the arms or legs. In children, it may appear on the face or scalp.

It usually appears in the same place on both sides of the body and may be itchy.

Widespread rash on the back of a person with white skin. There are many small, pink spots that are close together.
On white skin, the spots are pink or red.

After the rash has gone, you may have some darker or lighter areas of skin. This may be more obvious on brown or black skin. In most people, these should go back to normal within a few months and will not leave permanent scarring.

Information:

If you're not sure it's pityriasis rosea

Other conditions can have similar symptoms to pityriasis rosea.

For example, scaly spots could be psoriasis or eczema, and a single, round patch could be ringworm.

Do not try to diagnose the problem yourself. See a GP if you're worried.

Urgent advice: Call your midwife, maternity unit, GP or NHS 111 immediately if:

  • you have a new rash and you're pregnant

Getting pityriasis rosea in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy has been linked with miscarriage and premature birth.

Treatment for pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea usually gets better on its own within a few months without any treatment. It might get worse before it goes away completely.

If the rash is uncomfortable or itchy, a pharmacist might advise:

A pharmacist will tell you how often to take or apply any treatments.

If these treatments do not work or if you have severe pityriasis rosea, your GP may recommend steroid cream or refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you have a rash that's still itchy after trying pharmacy treatments like emollients or antihistamines
  • you have a rash that has not gone away after 3 months

How you get pityriasis rosea

The exact cause of pityriasis rosea is not known. It may be caused by a virus.

Pityriasis rosea cannot spread from person to person.

Page last reviewed: 7 September 2023
Next review due: 7 September 2026