Bacteria

Erythrasma

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Erythrasma, Cutaneous Erythrasma, Corynebacterium minutissimum

  • See Also
  1. Intertrigo
  • Risk Factors
  1. Similar to risks associated with Intertrigo
  • Symptoms
  1. Usually asymptomatic
  2. May be pruritic in some cases
  • Signs
  1. Small red-brown Macules (may form larger patches)
  2. Distribution in intertriginous areas
    1. Interdigital web spaces
    2. Gluteal crease
    3. Inguinal area
    4. Axilla
    5. Inframammary
  • Diagnosis
  1. Wood's Lamp: Fluoresces coral red
  2. Gram Stain: Gram Positive rod with long filaments
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. See Intertrigo
  2. Cutaneous Candidiasis
  3. Dermatophytes
    1. Tinea Pedis
    2. Tinea Cruris
  4. Psoriasis
  • Managment
  1. Antibiotics
    1. Erythromycin 250 mg orally qid for 5 days
    2. Clarithromycin 1 gram orally for 1 dose
  2. Topical Antifungal agents with activity in Erythrasma
    1. Miconazole
    2. Clotrimazole
    3. Econazole
  3. Treat coexisting fungal infection (see Intertrigo)
  4. Adjunctive topical agents
    1. Cleocin-T or Erythromycin gel
    2. Whitfield's Ointment
    3. Sodium fusidate ointment
    4. Antibacterial soap
    5. Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens)
  • Prevention
  1. See Intertrigo
  • References
  1. Habif (2004) Clinical Dermatology, p. 419
  2. Holdiness (2003) Am Fam Physician 67(2):254 [PubMed]
  3. Janniger (2005) Am Fam Physician 72:833-40 [PubMed]