UPDATE: dd(2) just diagnosed with Pityriasis Rosea...

[zakatak]

UPDATE ON LAST POST!

Does anyone here have any experience with this skin rash?

On Monday night, I noticed a small red mark (like a blood blister under the skin) near her shoulder blade. By Tuesday night, it turned into a bump (not a mosquito bite). By Wednesday night, it was raised, hard, larger and outlined. Today (Thursday) I took her to the ped fearing Ringworm or Tick, but he eventually diagnosed Pityriasis Rosea. Here's the bad part...

Within 1 - 2 weeks, the rash will cover her trunk and possibly her extremities. We leave for Disney 6 weeks from today. She might likely be covered in "splotches". There is no treatment, they may or may not be itchy and the best thing to do for them is sunlight.

This is going to freak people out in the pool! That's what I am worried about. Should I bring a doctor's note explaining what she has and that it isn't contagious?

Has anyone had this? Known anyone to have this? Anyone?

Thanks...

http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/pityrias.html

Karen & Abby (with a nice, typical herald patch on her shoulder blade!)

 

[Michelle]

YES, I have had this a couple of times!

Do NOT worry, it looks awful but it just has to run its course. The lesions will probably get itchy at some point, did your doctor give you something for itching? I had it once as a child and once again in my 20s (supposedly you're only supposed to get it once but I managed to be the exception).

It most definitely is NOT contagious and if you have any concerns your doctor can give you a note stating so. Sunlight actually DOES help (still use sunscreen, though!) as that was part of my treatment as well.

Good luck, hopefully she will have a mild case!!

 

[zakatak]

Thanks, Michelle! It is nice to know someone that has been through it. It looks like I caught it right at the beginning so within the next week or so is when the rest of the rash will start. Another thing I read that makes me worried is that heat irritates it... nothing like Disney in July to throw some HEAT at her!!! I guess I will bring along some spray bottles and cortisone... lol

Thanks again Michelle...

Karen and Abby

 

[tkyes]

My husband had this - BAD!!! He was covered and it was so severe that they couldn't figure out what it was. That was the worst part, not knowing what it was and having the Doctors just try different treatments and then wait and see what happened. A couple of their test treatments made him worse. It's great that she has been diagnosed and they can give her the proper medication.

As everyone said, it has to run it's course, unfortunately. Yes, sunlight helps but they told my husband to have sunlight in moderation - too much is bad.

You can bring a dr's note, but I don't know who would need to see it. You won't be bringing it to the pool and showing all the other parents.

{{{hugs}}} for both you and DD. I wish their was a miracle cure for this to make things easier. Definately get something for the itching, that will make a big difference.

Good luck!

Tamie

 

[zakatak]

Thanks Tamie... I'm sorry your husband had it that bad.

I was thinking about the note specifically for the pool to show the lifeguard if they thought she was too contagious to swim, you know? Instead of being kicked out, I could have a note just in case they gave us a hard (not believing) time. Hopefully, it won't be a problem, but you never know... I know that I would question a little kid with red splotches all over them swimming near my kids confused: ).... Maybe not outloud, but I would definitely move my kids away from them... That is what worries me... being the "icky kid" in the pool. (sorta lol)

Thanks again!

Karen and Abby (who loves the 101 dalmations, but I didn't expect her to turn into one!)

 

[phamton]

My father who is in his 70's got it. His doctor diagnosed it as ringworms. My dad was treated with ringworm medicine for a couple of weeks and it didn't get better. I was afraid it was shingles so I then took him to my doctor who recognized the Christmas tree pattern and then correctly diagnosed it as pityriasis. He was given a cortisone injection which helped with the itching. It lasted almost 2 months though.

 

[zakatak]

Just a friendly bump from page three, looking for anyone else who has information on this... I am starting to really worry about the summer and especially Disney (July 3-13th) with her.

Thanks,
Karen and Abby

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I had it when I was in college. We were studying it in a pathology class and I really did get it. Mine must have been a mild case. Not too many marks and it really didn't bother me. Hopefully DD's will be like that.

 

[Michelle]

UGH, I forgot about the HEAT factor, that will definitely not help matters, I'm afraid.

You may want to try and see a dermatologist before you go, that is the kind of doctor that diagnosed both my cases and gave me treatments. I was much older than two, though, so I'm not sure if the same treatments are appropriate for a 2-year-old.

If memory serves me correctly, the other lesions did appear within a week of the herald patch. Once they start you should know how your daughter will tolerate them. It's hard to keep a 2-year-old from scratching, and that will make it worse.

Still keeping my fingers crossed for you for a mild case!

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by zakatak
Should I bring a doctor's note explaining what she has and that it isn't contagious

Bring the note. Lifeguards/Pool management have legitimate concerns about whether a skin condition is contagious.

This is going to freak people out in the pool!

Politely explain that it is not contagious, give them the medical name, and then if there is still a problem then it is THEIR problem and not yours.

 

[zakatak]

UPDATE: Over a week later and NO other blotches! I think the doctor was WRONG!! YAY!!!!

I'll give it another week before I say for sure! But it is looking good...

Karen

 

[Serena]

Yay!!!