Erythrasma - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Erythrasma is a skin disease that can result in pink patches, which can turn into brown scales. The incriminated organism is Corynebacterium minutissimum, which usually is present as a normal human skin inhabitant. Corynebacteria invade the upper one-third of the stratum corneum; under favorable conditions such as heat and humidity, these organisms proliferate. The stratum corneum is thickened. The organisms are seen in the intercellular spaces as well as within cells, dissolving keratin fibrils. The coral red fluorescence of scales seen under Wood light is secondary to the production of porphyrin by these diphtheroids. Erythrasma can be confused with other causes of intertrigo (rash in the skin folds). Erythrasma can infect anyone, but is particularly prevalent in those living in a warm climate or who have diabetes. Erythrasma is usually a benign condition. However, it may become widespread and invasive in predisposed and immunocompromised individuals; this is very rare in immunocompetent hosts. In such individuals, this organism has caused infections other than erythrasma. The main symptoms are reddish-brown, slightly scaly patches with sharp borders. The patches occur in moist areas such as the groin, armpit, and skin folds. They may itch slightly and often look like patches associated with other fungal infections, such as ringworm.

Causes of Erythrasma

Common Causes and Risk factors of Erythrasma

• Corynebacterium minutissimum.
• Warm climates.
• Overweight.
• Fungal infections.

Sign and Symptoms of Erythrasma

Common Sign and Symptoms of Erythrasma

• Reddish-brown, slightly scaly patches with sharp borders.
• Armpit skin infection.
• Itching or burning.
• The lesions may be slightly scaly.
• Skin infection under breasts.
• The lesions occur in moist areas such as the groin, armpit, and skin folds, and may itch slightly

Treatment for Erythrasma

Common Treatment for Erythrasma

• Erythrasma fluoresces with a coral red color and responds to systemic antibiotics, especially erythromycin, tetracycline and chloromycetin; and occasionally in widespread cases, this is the only way you can cure them. Penicillin and griseofulvin do not help, and generally keratolytic ointments are sufficient to clear them.
• The treatment for erythrasma is an antibiotic (such as erythromycin or tetracycline ).
• Antibacterial soaps can also help control the infection. However, recurrence 6 to 12 months later is commonplace.
• Photodynamic therapy also helpful for erythrasma

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