Erythrasma
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Contents |
Introduction
- From Greek 'red spot'. Chronic superficial bacterial infection of the skin.
Etiology
- Corynebacterium minutissimum
- predisposing factors
- diabetes
- warm, humid climate
- prolonged occlusion of skin
- maceration
Clinical-manifestations
- macules, generally large & scaling, sharply marginated
- red to brownish red in color
- sites of predilection
- intertriginous areas of toes, groin & axillae
- skin folds: groin, subpanniculus, intergluteal, infra- mammary
- mimics dermatophyte infection
- generally asymptomatic, but may cause burning sensation or pruritis
- interdigital lesions are erosive with collarette-like scale
- lesions may consist of confluent patches or scattered, discrete lesions
Laboratory
- direct microscopic examination of 10% KOH-treated skin scrapings
- Wood's lamp: coral-red fluorescence; may not be present if patient has recently bathed
- bacterial culture: rule out Staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococcal infection
Differential-diagnosis
Management
- benzoyl peroxide (2.5%) gel; apply daily for 7 days
- topical erythromycin solution BID for 7 days
- erythromycin 250 mg PO QID for 14 days
- prevention:
- benzoyl peroxide
- correct predisposing causes
- relapses occur if predisposing causes are not corrected
More General Terms
Additional Terms
- candidiasis
- Corynebacterium minutissimum
- dermatophytosis
- pitted keratolysis
- psoriasis
- seborrheic dermatitis
- Tinea versicolor (Pityriasis versicolor)
References
Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Common & Serious Diseases, 3rd ed, Fitzpatrick et al, McGraw Hill, NY, 1997, pg 616
