Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

During which seasons does pityriasis rosea most commonly occur?

1. Summer and winter

2. Spring and fall

3. Year-round

4. Only in winter

The correct answer is: Spring and fall

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition that typically presents as a rash characterized by a herald patch followed by smaller lesions. Research indicates that this condition is most frequently observed during the spring and fall seasons. The exact reason for this seasonal prevalence is not entirely understood, but it is thought to be related to environmental factors such as temperature changes and possibly viral infections that are more common during these transitional periods. During spring and fall, individuals may also see fluctuations in their immune responses, which could contribute to the development of this condition. In contrast, the other seasons, particularly summer and winter, do not show a significant increase in cases of pityriasis rosea, making the assertion that it occurs year-round or is exclusive to winter logically inconsistent with the observed patterns in clinical settings.