Nicholas Myers said:Here it is—the very first patient I saw in dermatology during my medical school rotations had this exact diagnosis.
A few things to keep in mind: Pityriasis typically lasts about 4 to 6 weeks on average, though it can stretch to 3 or even 4 months in rare cases (some medical texts even suggest it can linger for 6 months or longer). However, if the skin lesions haven't cleared up after that 3-month mark, there is legitimate reason to suspect we might be looking at something else entirely. There are several conditions that mimic Pityriasis rosea quite closely. 🧐
I’m not sure when your last dermatology appointment was, but I’d strongly recommend seeking a second opinion. Be sure to tell them exactly how long these symptoms have been persisting. That duration should be enough reason for them to run more extensive tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possibilities. In my view, you need to ask the dermatologist to be definitive: is this truly Pityriasis rosea? And if it is, what on earth is making it so stubborn? 🙂
In the meantime, watch your habits. Avoid wearing unwashed clothes or anything straight from a store without laundering it first. If you pull something out of the back of your closet that hasn't been worn in a while, wash it again—make sure it's thoroughly rinsed of detergent and ironed. When you sweat, dry your skin immediately to prevent further irritation. Try to limit soap and gel usage, avoid frequent showers, and skip the baths if possible. Stick to water where you can. Don't use abrasive towels, don't scrub your skin, and stick to neutral creams and lotions. I assume you've heard all of this already, yet the condition continues to plague you regardless. 🙂
So, the only real advice I have is this: see a dermatologist. Again and again. 🧐
To the gentleman above: I have already "swapped" through three different dermatologists, and they all reached the same conclusion—it really is rosea. Let me give you the full breakdown of what I've tried:
Dermatologist 1—prescribed Sinoderm. I did everything you mentioned: no soap, using a soft towel to pat dry...
Dermatologist 2—Ornazol shampoo and some vitamin cream custom-made at a local pharmacy.
Dermatologist 3—Esperson Mite.
Since absolutely nothing worked, I switched to Aderma products. It helped slightly, but not completely. When I say it helped, I mean the eruption isn't as aggressive as it used to be.
What I have noticed is that it flares up whenever I sweat. And man, do I sweat. I have a two-year-old boy, so life is basically constant hyperactive chaos...
As for unwashed clothes, unironed stuff, or old seasonal clothes sitting in the closet? I haven't had any issues like that! Never!
But today, I stumbled upon an article about a similar issue called Erythrasma. I've never heard of it before, but honestly? I think that might be it! It doesn't sting, it doesn't itch, and it doesn't hurt—it just looks terrible aesthetically!
It baffles me how none of those doctors even considered this or even suspected it! 🤷
The only thing they all agreed on was that it would eventually pass on its own, whether treated or not. 😕So, I’m left with zero options. Either I sit around and wait, or I try to corner one of my doctors and shove the idea of Erythrasma in their face as a potential culprit. What else am I supposed to do? Thanks for the input. Best,