how do I know when pityriasis rosea is healing?

Hello, I just wanted to Thank everyone for there comments on this board. Without this I don't know how I would've managed P.R. I'm now on my 10th week of having this skin rash. My spots are finally disapearing and I haven't gotten any new ones. I didn't take any meds but did tell myself everyday that this will go away. I ended up getting this horrible rash all over my whole entire body. Back,Stomach,Neck,Hair,Legs,Arms and a few on my hands. Each place they were different sizes. Most of mine were the size of quaters and a few the size of a half dollar. Please know this will go away. Keeping your stress levels down helps too. I encourage you to write on this board if you have questions as there are many wonderful people that write on here and can help make you feel better when you feel your at your worst. I promise this will go away!!!

I know how you feel Anonymous, it was the most eye opening rash I have ever endured in my life. The fact that she said 6-8 weeks would have crushed me too, but be prepared for it to last up to 12 weeks. I was so stressed that I asked my doctor for a prescription to Xanax, which I only took a few of (7 total) during the time of my outbreak. I think just having something on hand to ease my fears and anxiety was mentally stimulating in itself... otherwise, yeah, there is no way you cannot be stressed out beyond belief every single day! But you have to try try try very hard to alleviate your stress --- it doesn't help, it hurts.... and itches like crazy too! The fresh fruits and diet change can only help in the long and short run --- the sun helped me in more ways than I realized... but don't overdo it. Short exposures to the sun on as much as your affected body as possible is recommended.

Once they start peeling, honestly, more can pop up, however once they start peeling it's still a really good sign! That means... you will eventually begin to heal all over, but unfortuantely, you have to give it time.

Wear cotton on the areas that touch the rash.

One of the areas of my rash was under my breast as well and what I have noticed, now that I am healed is that there are times when I'm stressed or my body gets hot and that area itches a little... I'm not sure if it's just mental from having the itch there for so many weeks or what, but I know how bad it sucks to have the rash there especially. In any case, it doesn't hurt to try to heal yourself quicker... just don't get too discouraged if more spots pop up until the 12th week has arrived.

The most encouraging thing I can tell you is that you will eventually competely heal. Good luck!!

I hope you're still healing if not already healed up by now... I know your comment is from April 21st, but better late than never. During the 7th week I STILL had spots appearing and I begin to grow very anxious that it would never go away. I was seriously freaking out, but by the 9th week I just let go and noticed that doing my daily routine, taking cooler to luke warm showers, using the special creams for sensitive skin, and alleviating some of the stress from my life really started helping me to heal mentally as well as physically. Continue to get some sun!! I still, in the back of my mind, firmly believe that the sun helped considerably more than I give it credit. So, I did have some popping up, but by the 12th week I was pretty much healing and the spots were beginning to fade.

Nope.. No cream beyond the daily moisturizers I used to soothe the painful itch.