A patient comes into the pharmacy and asks to speak to you. She explains that she recently spotted a lesion and went to her GP, who diagnosed ringworm.

However, she says the infection has now spread; it's become a rash and is very itchy. Taking a closer look, you see her torso is covered in red, oval-shaped lesions around 1-3cm in diameter.

You suspect it could be pityriasis rosea. 

Questions

1. Pityriasis rosea is a fungal infection of the skin that is contagious. True or false?

2. This condition usually occurs in children and young adults. True or false?

3. It is rare and affects one in 800,000 people per year in the UK. True or false?

4. Initially a "herald patch" is seen in pityriasis rosea, followed by a more generalised rash five to 15 days later. True or false?

5. The condition is self-limiting, no treatment is required. True or false?

Discussion

1. False. Pityriasis Rosea is thought to be triggered by a viral infection but has no relation to fungal infections.

2. True. It is most common in 15 to 40-year-olds. 

3. False. It is relatively common and affects one in 1,000 people each year.

4. True. The herald patch is an annular rash that looks similar to ringworm. It usually appears on the trunk

5. True. The rash usually lasts for six to eight weeks but can last for six months. It settles without treatment.