Erythrasma

Aka: Erythrasma, Cutaneous Erythrasma, Corynebacterium minutissimum

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II. Risk Factors

  1. Similar to risks associated with Intertrigo

III. Symptoms

  1. Usually asymptomatic
  2. May be pruritic in some cases

IV. 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

V. Diagnosis

  1. Wood's Lamp: Fluoresces coral red
  2. Gram Stain: Gram Positive rod with long filaments

VI. Differential Diagnosis

  1. See Intertrigo
  2. Cutaneous Candidiasis
  3. Dermatophytes
    1. Tinea Pedis
    2. Tinea Cruris
  4. Psoriasis

VII. 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)

VIII. Prevention

  1. See Intertrigo

IX. 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]

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