Acne, Pimples and Skin Disorders |
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Erythrasma, Symptoms, Treatment of Erythrasma
Erythrasma is a superficial bacterial infection of skin
developed by the corynebacterium minutissimum bacterium
and ccommonly occurs in intertriginous spaces where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts and in the armpits, webs of the toes, and genital area in men, where the thighs touch the scrotum. While moderate itching and discomfort may be noted, the patient generally presents with only skin-color changes in the infected area. The infected skin is often reddish-brown, may be slightly raised from the surrounding skin and may show the appearance of central clearing.
Erythrasma leads to pigmentation of pale fair-skinned individuals or depigmentation of dark-skinned people, but the incidence is higher in black people.
Although erythrasma may be confused with a fungal infection, doctors can easily diagnose erythrasma because skin infected with Corynebacterium glows coral red under an ultraviolet light.
The incidence of erythrasma is higher, in people who have diabetes or who are overweight and in warm climates. This disease is also higher in black people. Erythrasma mostly affects adults, especially those heavier individuals, and is observed most frequently during adolescence. Erythrasma is often confused with a fungal infection, such as tinea cruris, but this confusion is of little consequence since corynebacteria are often eradicated with an imidazole cream (such as Miconazole and others), the agent used to treat tinea infections.
Symptoms of Erythrasma
The condition usually appears in areas on the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breast and in the groin area. This disease without diagnose and treatment can present complications like post surgical wound infection, infective endocarditis in valvular heart disease and fatal septicemia in immunocompromised patients. Symptoms can include the followings -
- skin infection in skin folds
- skin infection in groin
- skin infection between toes
- skin infection between buttocks
- skin infection under breasts
Treatment for Erythrasma
- Antibiotics
- Antibacterial soap
- Clindamycin solution
- Fusidic acid cream
- Whitfield's ointment
- Tetracycline or erythromycin
The infection may recur, requiring another treatment.
Prevention for Erythrasma
- Maintaining good hygiene
- Keeping the skin dry
- Wearing clean absorbent clothing
- Avoiding excessive heat or moisture
- Maintaining healthy body weight
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