how do I know when pityriasis rosea is healing?

I got rid of my PR in exactly one month. It took a lot of dedication, basically PR became my life for that month I was pretty absorbed and determined in getting rid of it. I tend to be pretty hypochondriac about anything I notice wrong and obviously PR wasn't the exception. I first noticed some small red bumps maybe like 3 or 4, I didn't think anything of it and just went on about my day. The next day everything was the same, but on Monday morning I had a full blown rash. The bumps were not red, they were just small raised bumps the color of my skin. I was convinced it was either a skin allergy or I had been bitten by something at night (bedbugs). I took some desloratadine and was convinced it would go away at some point in the day. The next day the bumps increased and they were red. They were all over my chest, stomach, back and hips. I was very scared and started doing some extensive research ( I have to mention this was only day 3 of the rash) I came across an article about PR. It explained how it starts with a Herald patch something I did have on my neck but it was very little and all throughout the time I had it swore it was some sort of reaction to a gold dipped choker I wore a lot. I knew for a fact I had PR but still went to the dermatologist that same afternoon. He prescribed Erythromycin 250 mg every 6 hours for 2 weeks, he also prescribed a steroid cream ( Desowen lotion). I read so many blogs about PR and found out that stress only made it worse. I took a week off from work since my job is pretty stressful which I think helped a lot. I showered with Head and Shoulders extra strength ( the orange one) twice a day and went tanning 4 times that week. By the end of the week I was so dry and itchy I knew it was working. My skin felt like sandpaper and to be honest I was utterly miserable throughout the first 2 to 3 weeks. I knew my regime was working since the bumps were flat now and peeling, although they did expand to my legs, arms and even some to my neck and besides my ears. ( Someone told me that once PR starts expanding to the extremities of your body it means it's going away) I believe something that worked for me like a charm was Desitin max. I noticed so much difference after using it just once ( That, and the tanning). I began using coconut oil and petroleum jelly to make my skin smooth again, it was messy but worth it. I am now left with white spots all over my body ( hypopigmentation) wherever there was a bump there is now a white spot but little by little they are fading away and to be completely honest I'm very happy they are not itchy bumps. I know how frustrating this thing can be and how, unless you've had it people don't understand how bad it feels. If you guys have any questions I would be happy to help you. I suffered a lot with this but I'm glad it's finally gone!

I've had PR for 4 months already .this thing is embarrassing I don't know what to do anymore ! I've tried some cream and it only reduced the redness . But Im also getting these spots they're like white spots I'm brown skinned and I have the red itchy spots and white spots those are flatten . I feel like a leopard cause I have them all over my body and lots of them . I can't wear shorts around people because my legs are covered with both those spots but..Does anyone know if they're going away or ???

I wrote this as an answer to one person but I hope all will be able to see it. My daughter had PR for 2 weeks first of June and she was getting nervous because was getting married on July 8th 3 days ago. So I researched everything. Found this cream called Prreze. I sent for it right away. She put it on for 3 days and it started getting a little better but was still itching so she continued to use it. Plus she went to beach one day and got quite a bit of sun. A few days later it started drying up and by the time the wedding came it was gone. She does still have a few brown marks but they seem to be fading. I know how you all feel because I sadly had to watch her go through the same thing. If you need any other info please email me at [email protected]

For those who have asked what the "spots" look like when they start to go away -- they fade. Even the worst of the lot will eventually fade away and won't leave a scar. I know, it seems impossible. If you have blisters, they will scab over and slough off. If you have lesions, they too will scab over. If its the million-red-spot rash (millions of red spots make the rash and it spreads), that will go away probably in a week. Please do not expect that when the spots, blisters, lesions and rash go away, they will not come back -- unless you are very lucky. I highly recommend mung beans. You can get them from Amazon. They are not the typical beans that make you "unsociable." You can make them savory or sweet. Google "mung bean recipes." Mung beans reduce the swelling and cool down the inflamed skin and even if you don't want to eat the bans, drink the broth. Also, these beans cook up very quickly, so keep an eye on them. For those of you with PR who are not suffering the ghastly night and day non-stop itching, please consider yourselves very fortunate in an unfortunate situation.