(See also Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections The skin provides a remarkably good barrier against bacterial infections. Although many bacteria come in contact with or reside on the skin, they are normally unable to establish an infection... read more .)
Erythrasma affects mostly adults, especially those with diabetes Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Urination and thirst are... read more and those living in hot and humid climates.
Erythrasma is most common in the foot, where it causes scaling, cracking, and breakdown of the skin between the last two toes. This infection is also common in the groin, where it causes irregularly shaped pink or brown patches and fine scaling especially where the thighs touch the scrotum (in men). The armpits, skinfolds under the breasts or on the abdomen, and the area just in front of the anus (perineum) are prone to this infection, particularly among people with diabetes and among obese middle-aged women. In some people, the infection spreads to the torso and anal area.
Diagnosis
A doctor's evaluation
Although erythrasma may be confused with a fungal infection, doctors can easily diagnose erythrasma because skin infected with Corynebacterium glows coral-red under an ultraviolet light.
Treatment
Antibiotics taken by mouth or applied to the skin
An antibiotic given by mouth, such as clarithromycin, can eliminate the infection. Antibacterial soaps, such as chlorhexidine, may also help.
Drugs applied directly to the affected area (topically), such as erythromycin, clindamycin, mupirocin, or benzoyl peroxide, are also effective.
Antifungal creams such as miconazole may be helpful if yeast or fungus is present in the affected areas as well.
Erythrasma may return, necessitating a second round of treatment.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
clarithromycin |
BIAXIN |
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole |
BACTRIM, SEPTRA |
clindamycin |
CLEOCIN |
doxycycline |
VIBRAMYCIN |
vancomycin |
VANCOCIN |
linezolid |
ZYVOX |
erythromycin |
ERY-TAB, ERYTHROCIN |
mupirocin |
BACTROBAN |
benzoyl peroxide |
No US brand names |
miconazole |
MONISTAT 3 |
