# Pityriasis rosea - Category: chronic - Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page) - Sources: BAD Patient Information Guidelines · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) · Calamine Lotion BP SmPC sections 4.1-4.2 (eMC product 4822) · Pityriasis rosea - disease-level clinical article (pityriasis-rosea-full.txt) - Verified date: 2026-08 ## Verified against - Calamine Lotion BP SmPC sections 4.1-4.2 (eMC product 4822) - Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) - Pityriasis Rosea - disease-level clinical article (pityriasis-rosea-clinical.txt) ## Treatment metadata - Referral & safety-netting (no drug therapy) - Cetirizine — 10 mg — oral.solid ## Complete treatment card ```text PITYRIASIS ROSEA Sources: BAD Patient Information Guidelines · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) · Calamine Lotion BP SmPC sections 4.1-4.2 (eMC product 4822) · Pityriasis rosea - disease-level clinical article (pityriasis-rosea-full.txt) Review status: REVIEWED against Calamine Lotion BP SmPC sections 4.1-4.2 (eMC product 4822), Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph), Pityriasis Rosea - disease-level clinical article (pityriasis-rosea-clinical.txt) (2026-08) IS IT THIS? - reference only, to read alongside your own examination SYMPTOMS - what the patient reports (6) - A herald (mother) patch is followed by an eruption of scaly plaques arranged along skin cleavage lines in a Christmas-tree pattern. [plaques · rash · scaling] - Itching is severe in about a quarter of patients, and the herald patch appears in 50 to 90 percent, mostly on the trunk. [itching] - A prodrome of sore throat, GI upset, fever, or joint pain often comes before the rash appears. [fever · joint pain · rash · sore throat] - More than 80% of patients see the 5-week rash clear by the 8-week mark. [rash] - It is acute and self-limiting, and the lesions are raised and scaly together [scaling] - It reaches the upper arms and thighs as well, not the trunk alone SIGNS - what you find (2) - A distinctive collarette scale is peripherally attached but lifts free near the center of each lesion. - The rash follows the skin's natural tension lines and is spread bilaterally over the trunk. [rash] TESTS (2) - Dermoscopy shows a yellow background, scale arranged at the periphery, and scattered dotted vessels. - Biopsy shows superficial perivascular dermatitis with focal mounded parakeratosis and epidermal spongiosis. IF NOT THIS - what else fits (3) - Erythema multiforme is set apart on biopsy by satellite cell necrosis - lymphocytes attached to necrotic keratinocytes - which true PR lacks. - A follicular-pattern eruption raises follicular lichen planus, keratosis pilaris, or atopic dermatitis with follicular involvement. - Some cases never show a herald patch at all, so its absence does not exclude the diagnosis Source StatPearls "Pityriasis Rosea" - disease-level clinical article Status traced to the source above 1. REFERRAL & SAFETY-NETTING (NO DRUG THERAPY) [1st line] Adult Source Pityriasis Rosea - disease-level clinical article (pityriasis-rosea-clinical.txt) Why Carries the referral criteria and warning signs for this condition, which apply whichever treatment is chosen. Caution RED FLAG - Seek medical attention for severe itching, pain, or fever. 2. CETIRIZINE [add-on - not a substitute] Adult 10 mg once daily orally for moderate to severe itch Peds 2 to under 6 years: 2.5 mg twice daily 6 to under 12 years: 5 mg twice daily 12 years and over: 10 mg once daily (Child 2-5 years: 2.5 mg twice daily; 6-11 years: 5 mg twice daily; >=12 years: 10 mg once daily) Source Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) Why Adjunctive oral antihistamine for intense pruritus Caution May cause mild drowsiness in susceptible individuals. Known hypersensitivity to cetirizine, levocetirizine, hydroxyzine, or any component of the formulation. Egypt EPIRIZINE 10 MG 10 TABS. EIPICO 15.50 EGP (1.55/unit) CETRITIN 10MG 20 TAB. EL NILE. 42.00 EGP (2.10/unit) TOMAZINE 10MG 30 F.C. TABS. ALFACURE PHAR... 63.00 EGP (2.10/unit) CETRAK 10 MG 20 TABS. PHARCO 68.00 EGP (3.40/unit) HISTAZINE-1 10 MG 20 TABS. AMRIYA 68.00 EGP (3.40/unit) ZYRTEC 10 MG 20 TAB. GLAXO SMITHKLINE 100.00 EGP (5.00/unit) CETRICHEW 10MG 20 CHEWABLE F.C. TABS. AL ROWAD PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIAL... 15.00 EGP HISTA CHEW 10 MG 20 CHEWABLE TAB. ARAB CAPS > ADVOCURE 15.00 EGP LERGFREE 5MG/5ML SYRUP 120ML DEBEIKY 9.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid EPIRIZINE 5MG/ML SYRUP 60 ML EIPICO 19.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy. ``` --- Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement. [Privacy policy](/privacy)