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Erythrasma Diagnosis and Treatment

By: Juliet Cohen

Erythrasma is a chronic superficial infection of the intertriginous areas of the skin. It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum. Erythrasma can be confused with other causes of intertrigo (rash in the skin folds). Erythrasma may also involve the armpits, creases below the breasts, abdominal folds, and perineum, particularly in obese middle-aged women or in patients with diabetes mellitus. Corynebacteria invade the upper one-third of the stratum corneum; under favorable conditions such as heat and humidity, these organisms proliferate. The stratum corneum is thickened. The organisms are seen in the intercellular spaces as well as within cells, dissolving keratin fibrils. The typical appearance is a reddish-brown slightly scaly patch with sharp borders.

The lesions occur in moist areas such as the groin, armpit, and skin folds, and may itch slightly. Erythrasma can be distinguished from ringworm with a Wood's light which causes erythrasma characteristically to fluoresce a coral-red color. This infection is observed all over the world; the widespread form is found more frequently in the subtropical and tropical areas than in other parts of the world. These are equally affected; however, the crural form is more common in men. The main symptoms are reddish-brown, slightly scaly patches with sharp borders. The patches occur in moist areas such as the groin, armpit, and skin folds. They may itch slightly and often look like patches associated with other fungal infections, such as ringworm.

It can be treated with erythromycin, or with antibacterial soap. Oral antibiotics, including erythromycin or tetracycline and usually responds promptly. Antibacterial soap can be used to prevent recurrence. Antibacterial soap can be used to prevent recurrence. Gently scrubbing the lesions with antibacterial soap may help the patches go away. Erythrasma can be treated with antiseptic such as fusidic acid cream,clindamycin solution. Avoiding excessive heat or moisture. Aluminum chloride solution to inhibit sweating and moisture. Keeping the involved area dry. Applying over-the-counter creams containing tolnaftate or miconazole. Maintaining good hygiene and body weight. Garlic (Allium sativum) this herb is believed to have antibacterial properties.

Erythrasma Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Avoiding excessive heat or moisture.

2. Maintaining good hygiene and body weight.

3. Antibacterial soap can be used to prevent recurrence.

4. Prescription erythromycin gel applied to the skin give the good result.

5. Antibacterial soap is essential to remove patches.

6. Aluminum chloride solution to inhibit sweating and moisture.

7. Erythrasma can be treated with antiseptic such as Fusidic acid cream

8. Extensive infection can be treated with oral antibiotics, including erythromycin or tetracycline.

Erythrasma is a chronic superficial infection of the intertriginous areas of the skin. It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum. Erythrasma can be confused with other causes of intertrigo (rash in the skin folds).

Juliet Cohen writes health articles for skin diseases and skin disorders.

Article Source: http://www.positivearticles.com. PositiveArticles.Com does not vouch for or necessarily endorse the contents of this article.


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