Pityriasis Rosea Gibert - Disease History and New Findings

Abstract

: The author's aim in this article is to describe a common exanthematic disease typical of adolescence, pityriasis rosea Gibert, in the light of new findings. Another aim is to draw attention to an overlooked fact about the difficulty and inconsistency of therapy with the recommended course of action. The author uses his own experience from his many years of dermatological practice and adds facts from current literature sources on the disease. The meaning of the disease name is explained and the historical implications of the disease name are clarified. The current view of its probable viral etiopathogenesis and its similarity to another exanthematous skin disease, exanthema subitum, are described. The prodromal stage of the disease and the clinical picture of the skin findings with characteristic seeding of lesions resembling "Christmas tree branches" are described. The author's clinical pictures of the findings in individual patients with this disease are included. The possible relationship with COVID-19 is noted. The differential diagnosis is discussed, including the similarity to secondary syphilis, and the uncharacteristic histopathological picture of the disease is described. Finally, treatment options are discussed, with the caveat that the very common use of topical corticosteroids is not very effective and rather non-corticoid external therapy is recommended. The author draws attention to the possible alteration of the psychological state of predominantly adolescent patients due to the frequent long persistence of cutaneous, and therefore visible, symptoms.