Caption

Pityriasis rosea. Close-up of a single lesion, known as a herald patch, on the skin of a person suffering from pityriasis rosea. This is a common infection, probably due to a virus. It tends to occur during spring and autumn, affects mainly the young, and appears to be contagious. The herald patch is the first sign of infection; it is usually found on the trunk or proximally on the limbs. The herald patch precedes a generalised rash of oval-shaped lesions by 3-10 days. The whole episode may last 3-6 weeks. There are no records of an individual being re-infected. Information: Oxford Textbook of Medicine p.20.41.