Pityriasis rosea in Child
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Pityriasis rosea is usually asymptomatic, although it occasionally may be pruritic. Constitutional symptoms may precede the eruption, including fever, headache, cough, and arthralgia. In a majority of patients, the rash typically resolves within 4-8 weeks. Recurrence is rare.
Adolescents and young adults are most commonly affected. Pityriasis rosea is uncommon in children under 10 years of age. An atypical form of pityriasis rosea characterized by papular lesions and facial and scalp involvement is more prevalent in children of African descent. In individuals with darker skin phototypes, hyperpigmentation can result upon resolution.
While the exact cause remains unclear, pityriasis rosea in children is thought to be associated with primary infection or systemic reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7).
Certain drugs can cause a pityriasiform eruption that resembles pityriasis rosea. Drug-related pityriasis rosea-like lesions may appear more red-violet in color, typically do not present with a herald patch, and may be associated with eosinophilia.
Codes
ICD10CM:L42 – Pityriasis rosea
SNOMEDCT:
77252004 – Pityriasis rosea
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Exanthematous drug eruption
- Tinea corporis
- Tinea versicolor
- Nummular dermatitis (nummular eczema) – very pruritic; this is the most common complaint
- Guttate psoriasis – smaller size, thicker scale
- Erythema multiforme
- Urticaria
- Secondary syphilis
- Other conditions with a "Christmas tree" distribution, including pityriasis lichenoides, erythema dyschromicum perstans (ashy dermatosis), and, often, drug-induced lichen planus. Aggressive HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma may show a pityriasis rosea-like pattern with oval violaceous papules and nodules.
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:02/01/2017
Last Updated:03/29/2017
Last Updated:03/29/2017
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Pityriasis rosea in Child