Pity what? Pityriasis Rosea. I was just properly diagnosed.
As much as I've been reaping information that's vastly online, I thought it'll be good too, to share my experiences. Hopefully it'll help someone like how I found emotional relatedness reading off forums / googling the now attuned Pityriasis Rosea or PR.
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Brief recap:
6 weeks back
Came down with a terribly bad sore throat and other mild flu-like symptoms. Didn't think too much about it. Went to a GP who prescribed lozenges and something else I can't remember. We decided to skip the antibiotics and let the body fight the virus itself.
More than 2 weeks back
Was unconsciously scratching the side of my tummy (just to the right of my belly button). Again, didn't think too much about it. I mean, itch isn't something new right? Boy, was I wrong. Over the next few days, I kind of recall the itch spreading outwards. Didn't pay much attention though. I vaguely recall wondering why the itch didn't seem to go away. When I finally gave my tummy a look, I noticed there were rashes where it was itching. They were spotty, pink, raised bumps and I actually thought were bites. Self-treated for bites, didn't work at all. And I got worried only because the spots started spreading exponentially. It was like an eruption - the spots appeared all the way up to just below my right breast, and towards my back. All within a few days. And they stayed like this, over the right-half of my body. Unsightly and unbearably itchy. Stubbornly still thinking they were bites that were more toxic than usual, I continued to self-treat and even shunned my cat a little :(
1 week back
The past week was a true test of discipline and mental strength (couldn't scratch, couldn't sleep, couldn't stop thinking about the itch). Noticed more spots popping. They were smaller in size, still itchy, and some appeared on the left side of my body as well. The old ones though, have flattened to light brown spots and a little crusty to feel. Finally decided to visit a GP. He diagnosed a bad allergic reaction (probably the weather, my cat, dust, permutations of possible allergens that could have caused the eruption). Was prescribed a steroid cream and 2 antihistamines - one for the day; one for the night to help me get better sleep.
Also changed my body wash to one from Sebamed. And my body lotion to Physiogel's.
Currently
I thought the situation has stabilised a little (definitely better than the initial eruption, at least my quality of life has improved and work has been distracting me from the itch). But tinier bumps have been randomly popping on all 4 limbs. They first emerge as welts, kind of resembling mosquito bites, very itchy, then fade within an hour or two to a tiny red dots which are just slightly raised. As for my chest, back, butt, am still getting random pink and itchy rashes. I feel that the rashes have subsided as compared to the onset eruption but the itch is still a challenge. I don't feel as "raw" as the initial stage but the random popping of itchy bumps and rashes still irritate me a fair bit. And these random popping has been a daily affair now.
Decided to visit another GP
The rashes flared up after a shower yesterday and I decided that a trip to another GP was necessary.
She thoroughly went through the timeline of things, looked and felt my spots and diagnosed PR. Accordingly to her expertise, it's usually only mildly itchy but for people with sensitive skin e.g. yours truly, the itch can be magnified. And sadly, may take longer to heal. The great news is that PR is self-limiting that means other than coming to terms with being aesthetically concerned and the constant itch, these are temporary. And temporary could mean a few weeks or a few months :( But bottom line - it's not detrimental.
The uneventful flu and sore throat I had more than a month back, that was probably when I caught the virus. Yes, PR is a viral rash and thankfully not contagious.
Was prescribed a different antihistamine for sensitive skin and was told I can continue to use the steroid cream I have. Hygiene is (always) important as you wouldn't want a secondary infection. Steroid cream to be used sparingly because it can thin the skin. It can help with the scarring too but a little goes a long way. Don't skip the antihistamine. I was told to continue the pill for at least another 2 weeks. Retain the Sebamed body wash and Physiogel body lotion. No hot showers, it induces histamine and that was probably why things flared up. (I missed my hot showers and only merely switched it up! Or so I thought.)
Other things I felt have helped - Patting my body dry after every wash. Air drying and applying body lotion only after. Allowing the lotion to completely absorb before putting on clothes. Moisture made me itch more and keeping moisturised yet dry is ironic but helpful.
This is hard but don't even start scratching. This cycle is not only vicious but drives me crazy. Am still keeping up with the discipline but this has prolly been my best reminder thus far. And if possible, don't think about the itch! Keeping occupied is one way. Rest is important too (irony number 2, as with how ironic PR itself is).
Pump up the Vitamin C. Boost your immune system.
Be optimistic and carry on with life as normally as you would. I've a huge life event coming up in a couple of months and I was dead worried about the scarring, spots and all things aesthetic. Today, I decided to not think about it for the time-being and get on with life. I felt instantly happier. Not sure if I'll be able to sustain this nearer the date but to all readers who are on the same boat, may we recover soon!
Will be updating this space again with subsequent PR progress.