pityriasis

noun

pit·​y·​ri·​a·​sis ˌpi-ti-ˈrī-ə-səs 

: any of various skin conditions of humans or domestic animals marked by dry scaling patches of skin

Examples of pityriasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Several other skin conditions can cause similar-looking rashes, like Lyme disease, pityriasis rosea, psoriasis, and nummular eczema. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 3 Aug. 2024

Causes can range from somewhat harmless sun spots and milia to more serious pityriasis alba, vitiligo, and tinea versicolor that can cause major changes in skin color. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 24 July 2024

Tinea versicolor, clinically known as pityriasis versicolor, is a fungal skin rash caused by an overgrowth of a certain yeast that is naturally present on your skin. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 24 July 2024

What is pityriasis rosea? —Lauren Caruso, Allure, 17 Aug. 2021

Shah says the large, scaly flakes from the videos could also be pityriasis amiantacea, which is a severe form of seborrheic dermatitis that is a result of psoriasis, eczema, or even a fungal infection. —Jessica Cruel, Allure, 20 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from pityron scurf

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pityriasis

noun

pit·​y·​ri·​a·​sis ˌpit-ə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

plural pityriases -ˌsēz 

1

: any of several skin diseases marked by the formation and desquamation of fine scales

2

: a disease of domestic animals marked by dry epithelial scales or scurf due to alteration of the function of the sebaceous glands and possibly associated with digestive disorders