pityriasis

[ pit-uh-rahy-uh-sis ]

noun

1. Pathology. any of various skin diseases marked by the shedding of branlike scales of epidermis.
2. Veterinary Pathology. a skin disease in various domestic animals marked by dry scales.

pityriasis

/ ˌpɪtəˈraɪəsɪs /

noun

1. any of a group of skin diseases characterized by the shedding of dry flakes of skin
2. a similar skin disease of certain domestic animals

Word History and Origins

Origin of pityriasis¹

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek pitȳríāsis branlike eruption, equivalent to pítȳr ( on ) bran, scale + -iāsis -iasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of pityriasis¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek pituriasis scurfiness, from pituron bran

Example Sentences

These skin conditions can include, among other things, hives, measles-like rashes and a full body rash similar to pityriasis rosea.

From Washington Post

A Connecticut woman said that when her biracial daughter first developed patches of blanched, hypopigmented skin at age 10, it was misdiagnosed as a benign condition called pityriasis alba.

From New York Times

In 1924, a skin specialist at the University of Minnesota diagnosed her with pityriasis rubra pilaris, a chronic skin disease that had no significant treatment options or a cure at the time.

From Washington Times

Some dry and scaly skin eruptions, of which pityriasis is the most common, need different treatment.

From Project Gutenberg

Pharmacology and Therapeutics.—Carbolic acid is an efficient parasiticide, and is largely used in destroying the fungus of ringworm and of the skin disease known as pityriasis versicolor.

From Project Gutenberg