Pityriasis Rosea Or Chickenpox?
Mar 25, 2009
For the last week I have been feeling out of sorts..loss of appetite, exhaustion, sickness.. then I developed a rash starting on my stomach and spreading now to my back, chest, tops of arms and legs. It starts of as a blister looking rash and is VERY itchy!!! Some of the bumps have scabbed over and some are looking flaky.
Anyway visited GP yesterday who thought it was one of two things, PR or chicken pox.. he couldn't give me an exact diagnosis but has signed me off for a week to rest.. any ideas what it could be? Is there anything that distinguishes between the two?
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I got diagnosed today by a dermatologist after ten days of suffering and wrong diagnoses by GPs. He gave me some Elocon to apply but did say that steroids usually have little/no affect and keep using calamine. He also gave me Atarax 25mg tablets as I told him I have been taking double doses of Piriton antihistamine at night to help me sleep and stop me itching with no effect. He said that I should also moisturise with E45 on top of any topical treatment.
He did however say something that contradicts a lot that I see on the internet. He said I can continue to take baths, saunas and exercise as this does not affect the condition. The internet is full of warnings against this.
Has anyone had it and continued to exercise? I have become a real gym bunny for once and don't want to stop training til this thing goes.
Thanks for advice re head and shoulders. I just applied some in the shower and then went for 4mins on the sunbed. I am fair skinned and burn easily but seem fine from it. ! I am desperate for this thing to go and have bought an immune-boosting multivitamin.
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I have been battling PR for 13 days now and have been having a terrible time (like most of us!). I am one of the lucky ones that has been experiencing severe itching and burning with no relief. Today my husband called me in a panic because he woke up with a similar looking rash that is itchy on his forearm. I was under the notion that PR was not contagious. Has anyone had experience with this? I haven't seen him today yet and haven't gotten a look at the rash myself or looked the rest of him over, but now I am in a panic.
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I was interested to read other experiences. I am currently experiencing a recurrence of pityriasis rosea. I had the first occurrence about 9 or 10 years ago and my Dr too was not only surprised to see a rare disorder but to see it in someone at my age. I was 27 then. Even more surprised now at late 30's!
I too thought there was a patch of ringworm on my arm and recently had an awful cold and took 2 days off work (that's really rare for me as I'm a bit a workaholic). I didn't pay any attention to it at first, the spots that now cover my tummy, and a fear of having chicken pox actually made me look into what I had. When I read the symptons I realised that my symptoms are classic. I would have left it at that, because I'm not suffering at all - not even itchy spots, provided I don't scratch the herald patch - I don't even notice it. It was only when I read that only 2% recurs that I read on and found your experiences.
My herald patch and spots has been so typical in both cases that there is no doubt it is pityriasis rosea. My Dr the first time told me that it was most likely to be stress related.
My only curiosity this time is why now? It's made me consider taking a holiday in the sun (how often is the diagnosis to spend time in the sun?) to make sure I'm not opening myself up to to something more sinister - maybe this is nature's little warning that I'm over doing it.
Does anyone else think like that?
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Day 18 of secondary rash. Herald patch appeared about 3 weeks before rash appeared (thought it was just a harmless bit of dry skin!).
Secondary rash started on chest then over 1st week spread to neck, stomach, back, arms, thighs and groin (wonderful!). My goodness does it itch!
Went to Docs who said not to worry it's only PR and it should go away as suddenly as it appeared in about 8-10 weeks!!!
The itching was particularly bad on my chest and back so Doc advised using Aveeno body wash and intense cream as well as taking daily anti-histamine. The Doc also said not to run or exercise as overheating can irritate the skin - should also only take tepid showers/baths for the same reason.
Over the last couple of days the rash on my chest and stomach is less red and my skin has started peeling (a bit like after sunburn) and thankfully the itching has stopped where the peeling has started. I am hoping this is the beginning of the end!
It is the strangest condition I've ever heard of or experienced. The Doc said at least it wasn't shingles (as they 1st suspected), but on day 13 when the itching was at its worst and I thought I still had up to 8 more weeks of it I began to wonder if a shorter period of more intense pain/illness associated with shingles would be the lesser of the two evils!!
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I discovered the herald patch last December and noticed pink blothes appearing on my stomach and back which I assumed was dry skin so just moistuirsed, they eventually faded to leave pale patches so I consulted my doctor and he diagnosed Pityraisis Versicolur, I was sure it was P.R due to the herald patch?? Anyway I used Nizoral cream and went on a sunbed determined to get rid of it before my wedding in May. The faded patches began to tan and no further pink patches appeared until I returned from my honeymoon, the tan appeared to have fallen off my pale patches and the doctor assumed it had returned so prescribed a course of Sparanox capsules and selsun shampoo, after this lots of pink and very itchy/burning pink patches appeared so I stopped the shampoo and they seemed to calm down, with the use of sunbeds they would dissapear then only very slightly reappear. We were taking our young children to Spain for a week so I was really depressed about either pale or pink patches re-appearing I've never felt so down in my life. Much to my surprise I was fine and it kept at bay until again I returned home and more pink patches appeared again very itchy.
My doctor now thinks I have Chronic Urricaria but I'm not convinced, has anybody else experienced pale patches with P.R and how have you managed to keep it at bay? It has been 8 months now on and very slightly off and it is affecting my relationship with my husband and children due to my mood swings and being very irritable :-(
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I have had PR for 3 weeks now.
I have spots all over my stomach, chest, arms and a few on my upper legs.
The itching is driving me mad.
I have tried calamine, bio oil, moisturisers, piriton and anti-itch creams but they just don't do the trick. Today I tried anti dandruff shampoo as I know it has worked for a lot of people on here. Sadly not on my spots. The minute I put it on the itching got 10 times worse!
The only thing that I have found to work is to have a warm shower and exfoliate them. I have found that after doing this I have at least 90 minutes with no itching. So far this evening I have had 4 showers!!!!! Fingers crossed this is nearly the end of PR as I may go crazy if it doesn't go soon.
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First started with a small path on my upper arm which just got bigger each day. Then some small patches started appearing on my collarbone and on my tummy. Went to the doctors and they weren’t sure what it was initially and gave me steroid cream. Three days later I felt awful and the rash was beginning to appear elsewhere and the original spots were getting larger. I went back to the doctors and she knew straight away it was PR. This was great as at least I knew what I had and I could research a bit on it. Unfortunately no-one seems to know that much about it!
In the space if a week I had loads more spots come up, all over my back, my front and along my scalp. I have to say that I really didn’t feel well at the beginning stages. I felt exhausted, had a huge loss of appetite, very emotional and just wasn’t myself. I looked pale, tired and my hair felt in awful condition. I decided to read some forums on other peoples experiences and picked up some suggestions on how to get rid of PR quickly!
For just under a week, I have done the following:
– Used Head & Shoulders as a shower cream and E45 Bath Oil in the bath.
– After each shower or bath, applied pure coconut oil all over my body and face.
– Before bed, I apply Myrrah Essential Oil (diluted in a carrier oil) all over my body and face.
– Had three tanning sessions of 6 minutes each.
– Plenty of sleep!
Using the above regime has improved my skin SO much. I can’t believe what an improvement has been made within this short amount of time, and I was literally covered in spots on my back, front and scalp. Most of my spots have faded, dried up and I look and feel so much better. I have some spots on my neck and collarbone which are the freshest ones, but using the above regime I expect them to get better very soon.
I would really recommend to all of you to use Coconut Oil, Myrrh and small tanning sessions. I really believe these have speeded up PR for me and I believe I will not have much left in a week's time. I have used E45 moisturising cream too when needed.
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Ive just caught it off my two young daughters (who both still have it). I paid to have a private jab £125 to vaccinate me against chicken pox as soon as my girls developed it. Anyway, a week later i felt very tired, spent all of wednesday in bed, temperature of 37.9c, went work on thursday, hot and sweaty (thinking it was the jab), friday, got up feeling rough, covered in spots (jab was too late).
Id say i had about 1-2 thousand spots, my head was one red carpet. My body, back, arms, and tops of my legs are all covered, tho not as dense. My doctor gave me a sick note for two weeks (but thats only after i told him i didnt want to self cert). But thats all he gave me. No pills, lotion, nothing.
Anyway, most days have been spent in bed with brief periods with the screaming girls. My wife has been wonderful, coping with it all, just giving me space and making sure i drink!
Oddly, the big spots have got bigger and the small ones seem to be retreating, but it just looks like really bad acne. I have also found that the areas i didnt put calmine lotion on are much more comfortable and a lot less inflamed... I left my chest alone altogether and ive hardly noticed it.
Wish id never put any on my face and head.
Im taking lemsip twice a day and any old painkillers i can find before i go bed.
I cannot see that i will be in any shape to go work in 10 days, not unless they start scabbing over soon.
I spent the first few days really worrying about the scars i may get on my face, now i couldnt care less, i just want it over asap, i want to be able to eat without pain, sit, lie down, blink without feeling the huge blisters on my eylids touching, pick things up without the blisters on my fingers screaming.
Other than that im starting to feel ok, im going to go round the house later and remove all the mirrors.
My advice, only put calomine lotion on if you need to, keep cool - avoid sweating if poss. And avoid reading stuff on the internet, this site is the exception, i want to hear from someone on day 14...
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I have just come back from the Dr. and told it 'may' be CP. On Sunday (2 days ago), I noticed two spots and thought they may be bites. Thought nothing of it, but on Monday, these spots turned into 6 different blisters around the same area. I have been given calamine lotion.
It doesn't help that, as I going through my menopause, I get the odd flush (which of course could be temperature change re: CP)
I have been generally feeling unwell, but we had a hectic few days a couple of weeks ago for a big event at work and put it down to that, along with the change of weather.
It also doesn't help that I take medication for blood pressure and therefore, the odd headache may be due to that, or it may be due to CP.
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I caught this awful chicken pox from my daughter who has now fully recovered,i saw my first spot on sat,so took myself to the gp first thing monday and he gave me Acyclovir which i started taking right away,i'm abit worried as he told me it should have been started with in the first 24 hours for the full effect,but my spots didn't start showing until monday ,i only had the two prior to that would it still work? now i'm covered in them and i feel like crap,has anyone gone through this if so how was it and how long did it last for?
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I was wondering if it's safe for me to be around my 13 week pregnant friend as one of my other friends child has chicken pox? And I've spent alot of time with him this week?
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i wanna know if a child has chicken pox he can take bath and he can go to sea ?
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Am i right in thinking that there is a injection available for chickenpox.
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i had chicken pox 2 months ago, and the marks is still on my skin and im trying so hard to get rid of it but their not going away.do you know anything or anyway on how to get rid of chicken pox mark?
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My son has terrible chicken Pox, he has it everywhere & so aggressive too!! tried virasoothe which helped, now using Poxclin which seems much better!
I'm I'm unsure if I should keep my 6month old away from others in case she has it but it hasn't come out yet?
can anyone advise?
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I got the chickenpox 6 months ago for the first time at the age of 21. I have Psoriasis but they were dormant until the chicken pox, it took me near enough 6 months and still ongoing, to get rid of them by UV Treatment. Now my brother has chicken pox, and i was wondering if can i get them again within 6 months of the last time ?
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I am 49 and have contracted chicken pox from goodness knows where. Having been teaching for 10 years and already having it as a child I am flabbergasted to have caught it again and seem to have caught it during half term away from children! There is only one child in our school that seems to have been off with it recently but apparently according to my doctor, it is rife in our local area at present!. I am into week 5 and still coming out in spots!! I am depressed, fed up, worried about my job and totally wiped out!! Has anyone out there had spots coming out after 4 - 5 weeks? I thought it was all supposed to be over in 3? I am now on antiviral tablets but they just make me feel sick and don't seem to be doing anything!
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I had chicken pox in February and after a few weeks they went but I still have one on my chest and its sore, what can I do?
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I am 12 years old and I have chicken pox. I got chicken pox from my brother who is 7 years old. I also have a sister who is 10 years old. My sister does not have chickenpox yet. My chicken pox are so itchy. How can I make the less licht?
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To my knowledge I have never had chicken pox. I have been taking Pred for three years and am now down to 3mgs from 15. My granddaughter is with me with chickenpox. Should I be worried please?
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