just started breaking out with PR
but my herald patch is on the back of my hand between my wrist and where the thumb starts.
all i see online is that herald patches are on your abdomen, chest or back
does anybody know if theres any significance to the back of the hand placement? or am i just being paranoid?
Hey everyone! I'm a 22 year old male and was diagnosed with PR yesterday by my general doctor. I noticed the herald patch about 2 weeks ago and am just now getting the sores all over my chest, stomach, back, and upper arms. I'm hoping and praying this goes away in the next couple of weeks. luckily, my college this semester is online so i'll be able to stay indoors until this goes away (hopefully). I've noticed that tanning and aloe vera seem to be the best ways to speed this disease up according to these posts. I really would rather not go tanning so i guess i'll try aloe vera. i'm going to test it on a couple of sores and see what that does before i put it all over my body. please let me know if you guys have any tips. also did anyone beat this disease within 6 weeks without doing anything? thanks!
I was diagnosed on Wednesday and I have been through a lot with my health for being 32 years old but let me tell you this is the worst thing ever! I read up online about what I can do to speed up the recovery since there is no treatment. I am a teacher and it is so noticeable I had to explain to my students what it was because they were staring. Here are some things I am doing: Tanning, Oil of Oregano, Vitamin called Alive, non fragrance soap and lotion AND benedryl at night because the itching is out of control! I am devastated and pray that this is short lived!!!! I am covered from my neck to my waist. :(
Hello, I am 23 years old and this is my second time having PR. The first time was a few years ago and I only had like 5 spots and it went away no problem. This time has been hell, BUT THERE IS HOPE!!!! I had it for 2-3 weeks, first was misdiagnosed with foliculitus, given an anti itch cream and antibiotic and the rash just got worse. Went to my Derm and was given a lidex cream. The rash went crazy, not because of the cream but because I was so stressed out and would panic every time i saw more spots! It spread from my abdomen to my chest neck under my hair on my head, my butt, arms and legs. It was a nightmare but I have learned a lot. It would flare when I was stressed, if I itched it, if i took a warm shower or if I would run or raise my body temperature in any way. Use extrmely bland soaps such as dove. Keep your body moisturized(I use cetaphil). I went tanning which drastically helped when I only went for 4-5 minutes in a stand up so that I wouldn't get burnt. But the rash was still spreading even after doing all these things that seemed to be helping subdue the original spots on my stomach. It became very hard to deal with especially reading things online saying I could have this for 4 months!!! I had many nights of crying not wanting to leave the house because I looked like a leper and was sooooo uncomfortable. Don't freak out like I did the stress only makes it worse and there is a way!!! I went to the derm for a follow up while it was still pretty bad and he gave me a different cream and the rash has almost completely gone within two applications!!!!! It has really given me hope! I am going to continue the cream, moisturize and tan until its my skin is completely clear. I don't know if this cream will help anyone else but its worth bringing up to the doc if your PR gets as bad as mine did. The tube says Halobetasol propionate ointment .05% There is hope I know what your going through!!! :) good luck! I hope this never comes back....
Hi everyone,
I am a 20 yr old college student. A while ago, I found the herald patch but just assumed it was a patch of dry skin and ignored it. Last Friday (less than a week ago), I woke up with a rash all over my legs and stomach. The doctor gave me steroid cream and antihistimines. About 2 days later, it spread all over my body and looked like I had chicken pox! The doctor diagnosed me with pitryasis rosea and I was devastated to learn it could take MONTHS to go away, plus I couldn't exercise without making it worse. So, I went out and bought some milk thistle and Vitamins A and E. I then went tanning 2 days in a row, showering afterwards with Head and Shoulders as a shower gel. Now, I am glad to say, the rash is completely gone from my stomach less than a week later!! I absolutely recommend going tanning and using shower gel--even if it may not be the best medically, it definitely puts you at ease knowing that you're at least trying something! And I am 10x happier than I was yesterday!
I have recently had pityriasis rosea. I suspected that the herald patch was more than dry skin but ignored it anyway. A week or two later, my body exploded in a horrible rash and I took myself straight down to the tanning salon (I've never been so embarrassed, it's not really my thing!) but a couple of days later, the rash had almost disappeared, and I went on the tanning beds once more to definitely make sure it was gone. On top of this, I was washing my body with head and shoulders. I don't know which method worked (I assume it's more likely to be the UV exposure on the tanning beds, but the head and shoulders might have helped). To be honest, I'm just so pleased because I had heard stories of this rash lasting months. I definitely recommend using tanning beds, however, you don't need to go overboard, just a couple of 5 minute sessions. It's not really worth the risk of getting something a bit more frightening than pityriasis rosea!
I recently have been one of the very unlucky few who have been diagnosed with this unfortunate disease. I am a black male 24 and fitness model. My skin and apperance are also how i make my money. Needless to say I will be on a temporary hiatus from modeling.
Like many other people once I first started seeing signs of patches of dry skin I didn't bother worrying. Dry skin sometimes happens. Then it began to spread. It started on my upper inner thigh region and within days I was covered from calf, groin, upper thigh, chest and down my arms. I began to freak out and went to the ER. They had no idea what it is but they confirmed that it was not an std... Which gave me no relief as I had just been checked. They told me to go to a dermatologist. I went the next day and my dermatologist diagnosed it right away. Like all the research says - no cure, 6-12 weeks, nothing works except maybe tanning but not proven. To me this was worse than getting an std as many STDs can be cured these days with medicine in 2-3 weeks. I'd rather break a leg which I know will be healed in 6-8 weeks.
I began to search the forums to find out if anyone had any solutions for this ailment. My PR hardly itches at all and all creams do nothing for the disease other than anti itch. It looks like tanning is promising. I went yesterday for the first time ever in my life.... Never had a need... I'm black. Luckily it was free tan week and I plan on going for the next two days. After my first session I noticed that the rash actually got worse. I have tiny red bumps everywhere except my face hands and lower legs. I used sun screen lotion so that could be a reason for the irritation. I'm going to go again today with out the use of sun screen in hopes that it will be more effective. I don't have any other options so I'm putting my chips on tanning. I'll make updates to my progress as it goes on.
If there is one advice I could give to people it would be don't try to self diagnose as you will think it's scabies or syphillis and freak out. Do yourself a favor and see a professional.
Did you put any creams on the skin for tanning? I was thinking of going after a shower with no lotions/ creams or anything?
Following up: how long did you PR last? I have had it for two weeks. I am itching uncontrollably, losing time at work, scaring away customers with its appearance on my face and neck. I haven't seen a dermatologist because I live in a very remote area with only an Urgent Care center available. I tanned at a salon for 5 minutes yesterday, but it made the itching worse last night and now the skin on my abdomen is peeling off and bleeding a little in places. Any advice at all? The doctor I saw at Urgent Care said it was "mild" and "would go away eventually" but this is NOT mild.
I am a 25 year old male I have at PR for about 8 years now. It comes and goes. Usually worsens around spring and fall. I have noticed it gets worse when I wear cotton shirts in warm weather or when doing physical activity. My suggestions is actually wear as little clothing as possible. I dont wear shirts around the house in the winter. Also very light bed sheets (I dont even have sheets on my bed) also tanning helps with appearance but can make the itching worse. Also the sun does take the rash look away but has also taken the pigment out of my skin in my arms. A couple things I found help are grape seed oil, a prescription cream called Lamisil, selsum blue lice shampoo used on your body as soap and a natural based deodorant. I have become comfortable enough to live with it now as I know it will never be cured.
Does red light therapy work? or should i use UV rays?
I can't speak to red light therapy, but the UV treatment of tanning beds really works. Thank you so much to those on this forum who recommended it. Between 10-minute tanning sessions every other day and diligent use of Head & Shoulders as a body wash, my PR is 95% gone within 2 weeks. For those that have been recently diagnosed and are overwhelmed at the thoughts of 6-12 weeks of the unsightly rash, don't fret. Although tanning isn't an ideal, risk-free option, I believe it to be worth it in the short-term to treat this condition and get on with your life.
Thank you for the suggestions. I finally saw a specialist a few days ago. Even though I am wary of corticosteroids I took his suggestion and started an intense regiment. In 3 days the rash stopped peeling and the blotches on my neck have begun to heal. The ones on my belly, lower back, legs and arms seem to be fading some. I suggest Gold Bond Anti-Itch Lotion Intensive Relief--it stings for 5 minutes after applying but the menthol soothes and numbs the intense itching. I highly recommend trying a corticosteroid from your doctor if that is an option for anyone with PR.