Will erythrasma spread?
Generalized erythrasma is more widespread and will often move beyond intertriginous areas to the trunk and torso. An erythrasma infection is typically self-limiting and will often resolve on its own without treatment.
Can erythrasma go away?
Erythrasma can be treated. Most people respond to treatment within two to four weeks. However, it’s possible for erythrasma to become chronic and return. This is more likely to happen if you have a medical condition that affects your immune system.
What is the best treatment for erythrasma?
Erythrasma can be treated with antiseptic or topical antibiotic such as:
- Fusidic acid cream.
- Clindamycin solution.
- Benzoyl peroxide.
- Whitfield ointment (3% salicylic acid, 6% benzoic acid in petrolatum).
How do you treat erythrasma naturally?
You can treat your erythrasma with over-the-counter products that help with itchiness and irritation. This might include hydrocortisone cream or miconazole cream. Light clothing. If you live in a hot and humid climate, wear light and loose cotton clothing to help with sweating.
Is erythrasma self limiting?
Erythrasma is usually self-limiting. It can be complicated by contact dermatitis, lichenification, postinflammatory pigmentation, and coinfection with other bacteria, yeasts, and dermatophytes. Serious complications are very rare.
How is erythrasma diagnosed?
The diagnosis of erythrasma can be confirmed through observing coral-pink fluorescence during Wood lamp examination of the affected skin. Porphyrins, predominantly coproporphyrin III, made by Corynebacteria are the origin of this distinguishing fluorescence.
What does erythrasma look like?
Erythrasma looks like a patch of pink to red, scaly skin. The border of erythrasma is well-defined, meaning there is a sharp border between the affected patch and the surrounding normal skin. Over time, the pink or red color fades to tan or brown.
Is erythrasma fungal?
Erythrasma is a superficial skin infection that causes brown, scaly skin patches. It is caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum bacteria, a normal part of skin flora (the microorganisms that are normally present on the skin)….
| Erythrasma | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Why does erythrasma fluoresce in a Wood lamp?
The cause of this color fluorescence has been attributed to excess coproporphyrin III synthesis by these organisms, which accumulates in cutaneous tissue and emits a coral-red fluorescence when exposed to a Wood light. [ 32] Under Wood lamp examination, the porphyrins produced by the bacteria fluoresce with a coral pink color.
What makes erythrasma grow in the folds of the skin?
Erythrasma is caused by the Corynebacterium minutissimum bacteria. The bacteria normally live on the skin and can grow in warm, moist areas. That’s why it’s commonly found in folds of the skin. What are the risk factors of erythrasma? You’re more likely to develop erythrasma if you: Erythrasma is more common in hot and humid climates.
What kind of light can you use to diagnose erythrasma?
If in doubt, the doctor may use a specialized ultraviolet light, known as a Wood’s lamp, which will cause the bacteria to fluoresce in a coral-pink color. 4 A Wood’s lamp can only help diagnose certain infections but may differentiate erythrasma from other skin conditions.
What are the side effects of taking erythrasma?
Side effects may include rash, redness, drying, itching, and nausea. Serious infection may require oral antibiotics, including clarithromycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol . 5 Treatment may require as little as a single dose (for clarithromycin) or up to a five-day course (for erythromycin).