Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases (Sep 2023)

Pityriasis Rosea Variant: Persistent Pityriasis Rosea in a 78-Year-Old Female Patient

  • Evelyn Fagan,
  • Alexis G. Strahan,
  • Candler Kimsey Blake,
  • Rebecca Campen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7326/aimcc.2023.0342
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 9

Abstract

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Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a papulosquamous dermatosis seen most commonly in children and young adults. Variants of PR occur in 1 in 5 cases and can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. We present a case of a 78-year-old woman who developed a pruritic, erythematous rash consisting of annular patches on her face, bilateral arms and legs, and vulva. After months of persistent, progressive symptoms, she was diagnosed with persistent pityriasis rosea (PPR), a rare variant of PR. This case highlights the importance of recognizing variants of PR to allow for timely diagnosis and avoidance of over- or under-treatment.