Which statement about the herald patch in pityriasis rosea is correct?

• A. Harold Patch is a single plaque that precedes eruption.
• B. There is no herald patch in pityriasis rosea.
• C. Harold Patch appears after the eruption.
• D. Harold Patch appears simultaneously with smaller plaques.

Answer: (A)

In pityriasis rosea, the herald patch is the initial solitary plaque that appears before the full eruption. It’s typically an oval, pink-tew color lesion with a fine scale at the edge (collarette scale) and often precedes the widespread rash by about a week or two. After this single patch appears, multiple smaller plaques develop, usually on the trunk, sometimes forming a “Christmas-tree” pattern as the eruption spreads.

So the statement that the herald patch is a single plaque that comes before the eruption is the best description. The idea that no herald patch exists is incorrect, and the patch does not appear after the eruption or at the same time as the subsequent smaller plaques.