Have rashes on abdomen along with itching. No medication till now. What should I do?
Patient: Hello I've developed a rash of sorts. It started with a red bump on my abdomen that has now proceeded to become a flat dark dry patch (10mm x 20mm) that is still itchy. Other similar lesions have cropped up on my thighs and inner arms though smaller.The only thing that has changed recently is that I've cut out a lot of processed foods and am drinking green juice regularly (kale cucumber celery and raw plant protein powder). Im a vegetarian. I used a topical over the counter steroid cream which helped temporarily. The rashes have been there for two weeks now. Doctor: Hi Welcome to Healthcare Magic Forum  Seems like you have developed Pityriasis Rosea(PR) PR manifests as an acute, self-limiting, papulosquamous eruption with a duration of 6-8 weeks. PR has been linked to upper tract respiratory infections. The disease typically begins with a solitary patch, usually salmon-colored, that heralds the eruption and thus is commonly referred to as the herald patch or spot. This initial lesion enlarges over a few days to become a patch with a collarette of fine scale just inside the well-demarcated border. Within the next 1-2 weeks, a generalized exanthem usually appears, although it may occur from hours to months after the herald patch. This secondary phase consists of bilateral and symmetric lesions with scales .This phase tends to resolve over the next 6 weeks, but variability is common. Pruritus is commonly evident in 25-75% of patients and usually of mild-to-moderate severity. The eruption is symmetric and most commonly involves the thorax, back, abdomen, and adjoining areas of the neck and extremities. As is a self-limited disease; treatment is supportive. Topical zinc oxide and calamine lotion are useful for pruritus. If the disease is severe or widespread, topical or oral steroids may be used. The skin rash may take 6-8 weeks to clear up completely..You can take oral antihistamines like levocetrizine for pruritus.  Hope it helps Dr Geetika Paul