A 13-year-old girl has presented to a clinic with her mother explaining that she had an oval-shaped red patch on her chest a week ago but that more of the lesions are now appearing on her back. On examination, the lesions on her back are in a "Christmas tree" pattern. What is the girl's most likely diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The characteristic lesion of pityriasis rosea is an oval macule or papule with surrounding erythema. This initial lesion is a solitary lesion called the herald patch and is usually on the trunk or neck. As the lesion enlarges and begins to fade away (2 to 10 days), successive crops of lesions appear on the trunk and neck. The lesions on the back have a characteristic "Christmas tree" pattern. The girl's history and symptomatology are not characteristic of lichen planus, rosacea, or melasma.

A 13-Year-Old Girl Has Presented to a Clinic with Her