Definition:
A common skin condition affecting the skin folds and is called erythrasma. An infection by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum is a result of the slowly enlarging patches of pink to brown dry skin. People affected by this condition are mostly overweight or have diabetes which are common in warm climates.
Diagnosis:
In diagnosing erythrasma, the doctor may try the Wood's lamp test (when examined under this ultraviolet light, the lesions glow a coral-red color) or culture of scrapings from the lesion.
Treatment:
In treating erythrasma once its diagnosis is established, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin, Whitfield's ointment, topical antibiotic lotions such as clindamycin, or aluminum chloride solution to inhibit sweating and moisture.
Symptoms and Signs:
Erythrasma is a condition typically located in moist body folds as in the groin and inner thighs, under the arms (axillae) and between the toes, especially between the 4th and 5th toes and less commonly, it can be found in the buttock crevice or in the folds underneath the breasts. Some people, especially those with diabetes, the infection can become widespread and can involve the arms, trunk and legs.
Causes:
Some people report mild itching or burning, especially in the groin area, even if erythrasma usually causes no symptoms.
Corynebacterium minutissimum is a bacterium which causes erythrasma. Its usual appearance is a reddish-brown slightly scaly patch with sharp borders causing lesions occurring in moist areas such as armpit, groin, and skin folds to itch slightly.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
