Diagnosis and treatment

Usually the doctor can diagnose the pink lichen on the basis of examination of the patient's skin, and his interpretation of the story about the symptoms. In typical cases, this is sufficient for the diagnosis of the disease.

Additional diagnostic procedures may be required if:

• Symptoms persist for five months or more;
• Symptoms do not meet the usual specifications - for example, the plaques are placed on the hands and not on the body;
• The rash consists of blisters filled with pus;
• The patient has severe itching, which is unabated after using drugs.

In such cases, patients are generally referred to a dermatologist, who can determine whether the symptoms are caused by the pink lichen or other diseases, such as eczema Eczema , Psoriasis, or shingles.

Furthermore, it may be necessary to analyze the blood sample analysis flaky skin surface patches (to determine if the skin fungal microorganisms) and, in some cases, biopsy.

Treatment

Since pityriasis rosea generally extends itself for three months, in most cases, treatment is aimed only at facilitating pruritus in those patients in whom the disease leads to the appearance of symptoms. Typically, use three main types of treatments: emollients - ointments for moisturizing the skin, topical corticosteroids and antihistamines.

• Emollients

Called emollients, creams, ointments and lotions designed to help the skin retain moisture and thus, facilitate an itch. Some emollients may be used instead of soap - they are recommended for cleansing the skin, when the usual soaps and shower gels cause irritation. These emollients and ointments and lotions can be purchased over the counter at most pharmacies.

Apply emollients to the skin should be as often as necessary, to ease the itching. Apply them gently moves in the direction of hair growth Hair: structure, characteristics of growth and development And avoid strong friction.

• Local corticosteroids

If emollients do not help relieve itching, consult a doctor. He can assign you a more effective means, such as topical corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids - a synthetic hormone analogues, which are produced by the adrenal glands. This potent chemicals that affect a variety of bodily functions. The main objective is the application of topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation (its main feature is the reddening of the skin) and reduce itching. Typically corticosteroid creams or ointments recommended to apply on affected skin lightly once or twice a day - depending on recommendations of the treating physician.

In the treatment of pink lichen commonly used corticosteroid ointment containing the minimum number of active substances, so they should not cause any side effects, except for a light burning and stinging after the first application of ointment. This side effect is usually temporary and disappears after the body gets used to the drug.

• Antihistamines

If because of the itching caused by pink deprive you can not sleep, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines .  In such cases, the most frequently prescribed hydroxyzine or chlorphenamine .  They belong to the first generation antihistamines, which were originally intended for the relief of symptoms of allergic reactions such as hay fever .  However, later it was found that many people, these medications cause drowsiness, and soon they were replaced by other antihistamines that do not have such action .  But for patients suffering from severe itching, side effects of the first-generation antihistamines are sometimes very useful - these drugs not only eliminate itching, but also help to sleep .  Therefore, the drug is usually taken just before bedtime .  Some people may even feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication - in this case, during the course of treatment should refrain from driving .

• UVB-therapy

If using the above methods of treatment fail to relieve the symptoms of pink depriving the patient may be directed to the UVB-treatment. This type of treatment involves controlled exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation for a few minutes, at regular intervals. The procedure can be carried out only by a specialist (UVB-therapy - is not the same as that tanning in a solarium).

Some patients also benefits the short exposure of the skin to sunlight.

Although UVB-therapy eases itchy skin that causes pink zoster, it increases the likelihood of skin cancer Skin cancer: causes and prevention   in the future, so it must be used only in those cases where there is no effective and safer alternatives.

Other treatments

In the treatment of pink lichen can be used a number of other funds, although their use is controversial among experts. These tools include:

• Acyclovir - antiviral drug developed for the treatment of infections caused by herpesviruses.
• Erythromycin - a drug from the class of antibiotics.

If you are offered to make these funds, remember that their effectiveness in the treatment of pink lichen is not yet proved. Furthermore, according to the currently available information, acyclovir is only effective if it is taken in the first week after onset of symptoms.

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