Pityriasis rosea and ringworm (tinea corporis) are both skin conditions that cause round, discolored patches. Ringworm is contagious through skin-to-skin contact, while pityriasis rosea is not.
Both pityriasis rosea (also known as the Christmas tree rash) and ringworm on the skin (tinea corporis) cause skin rashes that can appear similar.
Pityriasis rosea typically develops after someone has a viral infection, while ringworm develops after exposure to the fungus that causes the ringworm infection. It’s important to accurately diagnose these conditions to get appropriate treatment and prevent ringworm from possibly spreading to other people.
If you have a discolored skin patch, it’s best to make an appointment with a doctor, such as a dermatologist, to get an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.
Keep reading to learn more about pityriasis rosea and ringworm, including what they look like, what symptoms they cause, and how doctors treat them.
Both pityriasis rosea and a ringworm infection of the skin cause skin rashes with round patches, or lesions.
Ringworm
Symptoms of ringworm include a rash that may:
- appear ring-shaped, with a deeper color on the outer part of the rash
- feel itchy
- appear discolored, ranging from pink or red on light and olive skin tones, to purple or gray on deeper skin tones
- have patches with raised edges
- develop blisters or pustules
A ringworm infection can also affect other areas of the body, including the:
Pityriasis rosea
Symptoms of pityriasis rosea include a rash that may:
- begin as a 1- to 4-inch “herald patch” that may be surrounded by smaller bumps
- progress over 1 to 2 weeks as “daughter patches” smaller than the “herald patch” appear on the skin
- go away on its own in 6 to 8 weeks
- appear pink to salmon on light and olive skin tones, and gray, violet, or brown on deeper skin tones
Pityriasis rosea may feel itchy, but it doesn’t always.
Ringworm and pityriasis rosea have different causes.
Ringworm
Ringworm results from a fungal infection that develops after contact with certain fungal strains. You can contract this type of fungal skin infection through:
- skin-to-skin contact with a person or animal with the infection, such as through contact sports
- sharing personal objects, like towels or bedding, with someone who has ringworm
- contact with surfaces that contain ringworm
Pityriasis rosea
Doctors don’t understand exactly why pityriasis rosea develops. The rash is not contagious, but people tend to develop it following:
- viral infections, including upper respiratory infections or influenza
- bacterial infections
- autoimmune flare-ups
- use of certain medications
If you have an unexplained skin rash, it’s best to visit a dermatologist, or skin doctor, for a definitive diagnosis. In addition to determining the cause of your rash, a dermatologist can recommend a treatment plan.
Dermatologists can diagnose some skin conditions through a physical exam. But sometimes, they need to use additional tools to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Ringworm
Doctors usually diagnose ringworm by taking a small skin scraping and sending it to a lab for examination.
Pityriasis rosea
Doctors can diagnose pityriasis rosea by using a dermatoscopy, a type of high-powered microscope.
Though ringworm and pityriasis rosea may appear similar, they both have different treatment options. You can usually treat both with over-the-counter (OTC) products, but sometimes, a doctor may recommend a prescription.
Ringworm
Doctors typically recommend topical antifungal medications to manage ringworm infections on the skin. You may need to apply this medication for
- clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)
- miconazoleA
- terbinafine (Lamisil)
- ketoconazole (Xolegel)
If those treatments do not work to resolve the infection, a doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication for you to take to clear the infection. You may take this medication for
- terbinafine
- itraconazole
In addition to applying medications as directed, you may need to take steps to prevent the spread of ringworm to others. This can include:
- not sharing towels or bedding
- washing your hands after applying medications or touching your skin
- covering affected areas
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea generally does not require treatment. You may be able to relieve discomfort from the rash by:
- keeping the skin hydrated with moisturizers and emollients
- avoiding sunburn
- avoiding further irritation by using gentle, fragrance-free soap and skin care products
If your symptoms bother you, a doctor may be able to recommend medication, such as:
- antihistamines
- topical steroids
- acyclovir (Sitavig, Zovirax), a medication for viral skin infections
- macrolides, if your pityriasis rosea results from a bacterial infection
Both pityriasis rosea and body ringworm (tinea corporis) cause skin rashes with round patches.
However, they can appear different. Pityriasis rosea usually begins with a larger “herald patch,” while ringworm on the body can appear in a ring formation with defined edges.
Both skin conditions have different treatments, so it’s important to visit a dermatologist for a diagnosis.