A position statement on the management of patients with pityriasis rosea

Infectious exanthemas in childhood

Most childhood exanthemas are harmless. However, recognizing serious diseases with life-threatening complications at an early stage is important for the timely initiation of adequate therapy. This requires knowledge of the specific patterns of the exanthema, obtained from the medical history and the clinic, including the patient's general condition and physical examination. In unclear cases, additional diagnostic measures are undertaken, such as blood tests and smears (cutaneous, mucocutaneous). Viruses are the most common cause of childhood exanthemas. New variants of infectious agents, improved diagnostics and stays in tropical and subtropical countries have expanded the spectrum of infectious exanthemas.

Pityriasis Rosea: An Updated Review

BACKGROUND

Pityriasis rosea is a common acute, self-limited papulosquamous dermatosis that primarily affects children and young adults. The condition and its clinical variants may pose a diagnostic challenge, especially in the absence of the herald patch.

OBJECTIVE

This article aimed to familiarize pediatricians with clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of pityriasis rosea.

METHODS

A search was conducted in March 2020 in Pubmed Clinical Queries using the key term " pityriasis rosea". The search strategy included all clinical trials (including open trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and randomized controlled trials), observational studies, and reviews (including narrative reviews and meta-analyses) published within the past 10 years. Only papers published in the English literature were included in this review. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article.

RESULTS

Pityriasis rosea occurs mainly in individuals between 10 and 35 years of age with a peak during adolescence. Human herpesvirus (HHV)-7 and HHV-6 have been implicated as the causative agents in some patients with pityriasis rosea. A mild prodrome consisting of headaches, fever, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes and arthralgia is present in about 5% of patients. The most common presenting sign, found in approximately 80% of patients, is a "herald" or "mother" patch which is larger and more noticeable than the lesions of the later eruption. A generalized, bilateral, symmetrical eruption develops in approximately 4 to 14 days and continues to erupt in crops over the next 12 to 21 days. Typical lesions are 0.5 to 1 cm, oval or elliptical, dull pink or salmon-colored macules with a delicate collarette of scales at the periphery. The long axes tend to be oriented along the skin lines of cleavage (Langer lines). Lesions on the back may have a characteristic "Christmas tree", whereas lesions on the upper chest may have a V-shaped pattern. There are many conditions that may mimic pityriasis rosea. Pityriasis rosea in the absence of the herald patch and its variants may pose a diagnostic challenge. The typical course is 6 to 8 weeks. In the vast majority of cases, reassurance and symptomatic treatment should suffice. Active intervention may be considered for individuals with severe or recurrent pityriasis rosea and pregnant women with the disease. Treatment options include acyclovir, macrolides (in particular, erythromycin), and ultraviolet phototherapy. If active intervention is needed, there is evidence supporting the use of oral acyclovir to shorten the duration of illness.

CONCLUSION

Pityriasis rosea is a common, acute, self-limiting exanthematous skin disease that primarily affects children and young adults. The condition is characterized by a "herald patch" after which oval erythematous squamous lesions appear along Langer's lines of cleavage on the trunk and proximal extremities, giving it a "Christmas tree" appearance. The disease presenting in its classical form can easily be diagnosed. Clinical variants of the disease may pose a diagnostic challenge for the general pediatrician. Knowledge of the disease is essential to allow prompt diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary investigations.

Management guidelines for pregnant health care workers exposed to infectious dermatoses

Exanthematous diseases are frequently of infectious origin, posing risks, especially for pregnant health care workers (HCWs) who treat them. The shift from cell-mediated (Th1 cytokine profile) to humoral (Th2 cytokine profile) immunity during pregnancy can influence the mother’s susceptibility to infection and lead to complications for both mother and fetus. The potential for vertical transmission must be considered when evaluating the risks for pregnant HCWs treating infected patients because fetal infection can often have devastating consequences. Given the high proportion of women of childbearing age among HCWs, the pregnancy-related risks of exposure to infectious diseases are an important topic in both patient care and occupational health. Contagious patients with cutaneous manifestations often present to dermatology or pediatric clinics, where female providers are particularly prevalent; a growing number of these physicians are female. Unfortunately, the risks of infection for pregnant HCWs are not well defined. To our knowledge, there is limited guidance on safe practices for pregnant HCWs who encounter infectious dermatologic diseases. In this article, we review several infectious exanthems, their transmissibility to pregnant women, the likelihood of vertical transmission, and the potential consequences of infection for the mother and fetus. Additionally, we discuss recommendations with respect to avoidance, contact, and respiratory precautions, as well as the need for treatment after exposure.

Dermatologic Problems Commonly Seen by the Allergist/Immunologist

Allergists/immunologists see a variety of skin disorders, some of which have a known immunologic basis whereas others do not. We review the prevalence, etiology, clinical presentation, and effective and low-cost care of common dermatologic conditions seen in outpatient practices. Conditions discussed include pityriasis alba, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, tinea infections, intertrigo, lichen planus, tinea versicolor, lichen simplex chronicus, scabies, pityriasis rosea, keratosis pilaris, and seborrheic keratosis. An understanding of frequently encountered cutaneous diseases and their therapies will help provide immediate access to treatment and improve the experience for both the affected patient and the clinician.

Effectiveness of acyclovir in the treatment of pityriasis rosea. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of evidence to support acyclovir administration in pityriasis rosea.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of acyclovir in patients with typical pityriasis rosea.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies was performed in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE and others, from January 1990 to October 2016 on acyclovir for pityriasis rosea. Random effect model was used to find the pooled Risk Ratio. Outcomes, evaluated between weeks 1 to 8, were regression of lesions, cessation of lesions, decrease of symptoms and duration of disease. Comparisons were acyclovir vs. placebo; acyclovir vs. symptomatic treatment; acyclovir vs. antibiotic; acyclovir vs. observation and combined therapy (acyclovir plus symptomatic treatment) vs. symptomatic treatment alone.

RESULTS

Seven papers were analyzed with 324 participants, of which 159 received acyclovir and 165 were controls. Acyclovir was superior to placebo for complete regression of lesions at week 1 (Risk Ratio 5.72, CI95% 2.36-13.88). However, combined therapy was not superior to symptomatic treatment at week 4 (Risk Ratio 1.46, CI95% 0.93-2.29). Individual studies showed the superiority of acyclovir for the control of symptoms and pruritus.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

We faced differences designs of trials and inconsistency between reports.

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic treatment is a reasonable option for pityriasis rosea, and the addition of acyclovir is justified for the control of symptoms and pruritus.

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course low-dose oral prednisolone in pityriasis rosea

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course low-dose oral prednisolone in symptomatic pityriasis rosea (PR) of onset <5 days and compare it with placebo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study design with the treatment group receiving tapering doses of oral prednisolone over 2 weeks and the control group receiving a placebo. Outcome measures evaluated were subsidence of patient-perceived pruritus, improvement in rash quantified by a specific score, adverse effects and relapse at 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The improvement in the pruritus score as well as objective rash score were much better in the prednisolone-treated group. No adverse effects reported in either group. The relapse rate at 12 weeks was much higher in the prednisolone treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral corticosteroids, even if used in low-dose and for a short tapering course should not be the first line of therapy for PR. The only justified indication may be extensive and highly symptomatic lesions of PR.

[Paraviral exanthems]

Paraviral exanthems are distinct skin diseases due to infections with different viruses. Although no virus has been identified so far in some exanthems, the main age of manifestation, the clinical course of the exanthem, and the extracutaneous symptoms are suggestive for a viral genesis. While many viral infections are a direct result of the infection, paraviral exanthems reflect the response of the immune system to the infectious pathogens. Viruses cannot be identified in the skin. Typical paraviral exanthems include Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, pityriasis rosea, pityriasis lichenoides, papular-purpuric gloves and sock syndrome, and asymmetrical periflexural exanthema. Unilateral mediothoracic exanthem, eruptive pseudoangiomatosis are rare and eruptive hypomelanosis has been described recently.

Clinical variants of pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common erythemato-squamous dermatosis which almost always, is easily diagnosed. Mostly the disease presents in its classical form. However, clinical dermatology is all about variations and PR is not an exception. Variants of the disease in some cases may be troublesome to diagnose and confuse clinicians. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the condition becomes necessary to avoid unnecessary investigations. We hereby review and illustrate atypical presentations of the disease, including diverse forms of location and morphology of the lesions, the course of the eruption, and its differential diagnoses.

Concurrent pityriasis rosea and Bell's palsy

Pityriasis rosea is a dermatological disease with a well-documented clinical appearance, but less is known about causes and treatment. Bell's palsy is a neurological condition leading to acute idiopathic hemifacial paralysis. Recent studies indicate that human herpesvirus (HHV) 6-7 reactivation may be a contributing factor to both conditions. We report a case of the 2 concurrent diagnoses that supports a common contributing factor and suggests further awareness and research into the role HHV 6-7 may play in the aetiology of both conditions.