Adult roseola, or Gibert's pink lichen, occurs against the background of a recent acute respiratory illness and may initially be perceived as an allergic reaction to drugs or as rubella has joined. However, with this disease there are very characteristic spots on the skin, which allow for a correct diagnosis and the use of adequate therapy. Roseola in adults proceeds, as a rule, without complications, but with improper treatment, as well as with the patient's tendency to allergic reactions or with the addition of a secondary infection, the disease can take a severe course.
How does roseola manifest itself in adults and why does it occur
Roseola belongs to the group of lichens, and it is usually known as pink lichen Zhibera or as roseola flaky. This disease usually affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. Some scientists believe that streptococcus can act as a provoking agent, others tend to argue that one of the types of the herpes virus is to blame for the development of roseola in adults. Most often, characteristic spots on the skin appear after having suffered ARVI, and the infection is most active in the spring and in the autumn off-season.
The most typical onset of the disease – This is the appearance on the patient's chest of a bright pink plaque about 5 cm in diameter and with a scaly surface. Such a plaque is called maternal, sometimes there may be two or three. After about a week, a rash appears on the body in the form of small rounded spots, also pink. Over time, the spots in the middle turn a little yellow and become covered with small exfoliating scales, but at the edges they remain smooth and bright pink in color and practically never merge.
For about three weeks, the spots appear on the skin, then gradually fade and disappear. Sometimes in their place, hypo- or hyperpigmentation persists for some time, but then the skin acquires a normal color.
Regarding subjective sensations, then patients sometimes complain of mild itching and mild malaise, at the time of the peak progression of the rash, the lymph nodes on the neck and under the lower jaw may increase, and the temperature may rise slightly. Even without any treatment, the disease resolves after about 6 weeks after the first symptoms and, as a rule, without complications.
Complications that are possible with roseola in adults
The most common complications of roseola in adults are when the spots on the skin have been irritated. Such an irritant can be:
- washing the body with a hard washcloth, with soap and other detergents,
- lubrication of skin with rash manifestations cosmetics,
- excessive sweating, especially when combined with synthetic clothing,
- patient's tendency to allergic reactions,
- attachment of a secondary infection,
- Incorrectly administered topical treatment that irritates the skin.
The complication may manifest as increased itching, the development of pyoderma or folliculitis, the manifestation of eczema-like skin lesions.
Treatment of skin spots caused by roseola in adults
As a rule, correctly diagnosed pityriasis versicolor, or roseola in adults, does not require specific treatment. Only with severe itching, antihistamines are prescribed and locally – corticosteroid ointments. According to some researchers, taking acyclovir in the first days of the manifestation of the disease gives a good effect.
The patient is advised to follow a hypoallergenic diet, avoiding synthetic clothing and body cosmetics. Hygiene procedures should be carried out without washcloths and detergents, with non-hot water and as rarely as possible until the spots on the body disappear. This approach to treatment will avoid possible complications.
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