MY RASH IS SPREADING FAST

QA couple of weeks ago, I noticed a patch of red scaly skin about the size of a 20 cent coin on my chest. I wasn’t too bothered about it as it was easily concealed, but this morning I am covered in the rash. It’s all over my arms and chest and is starting to come up my neck. What is going on?

A You may have a condition called pityriasis rosea, which causes a small patch of affected skin – the ‘herald patch’ – before the full rash appears later. It can last a few months, then disappears. We don’t fully understand why it happens, but one theory is that it’s caused by a virus. Your GP will be able to confirm the diagnosis and advise on emollients and steroid creams to ease any itching.