Erythrasma is a bacterial skin infection that affects moist skin folds, often found in overweight people and diabetics. It can be easily treated with antibacterial soap and topical antibiotics. Proper diagnosis is important as it can be mistaken for other skin conditions. The bacteria causing the infection can be identified through ultraviolet light exposure or skin scrapings. To prevent erythrasma, it is recommended to wash the body thoroughly and dry thoroughly after bathing.
Erythrasma is a bacterial skin infection that promotes moist skin folds. The medical term for skin folds found around the armpits, groin, and knees is intertriginous skin, which can be helpful to know if you feel like your doctor is speaking in tongues. The infection takes the form of raised reddish-brown patches that are sometimes itchy. Left untreated, the spots will turn brown and scaly and may spread. Although erythrasma looks unsightly, it is relatively easy to treat and is not associated with more serious conditions.
If erythrasma is diagnosed, the patient will be asked to wash the area thoroughly with antibacterial soap on a regular basis. Additionally, a topical antibiotic may be prescribed, depending on the severity of the condition. This condition tends to occur more often in overweight people, especially diabetics, as they may have large folds of skin that cannot always be washed thoroughly. It is also more common in hot climates, which can make intertriginous skin more moist and susceptible to bacterial colonization.
There are several conditions that can look similar to erythrasma. It is sometimes confused with impetigo, another bacterial skin infection. Impetigo most often appears on the hands and face, however, not in skin folds. Infection with tinea, a type of fungus, is also sometimes mistaken for erythrasma, mainly because tinea also favors skin folds. Because each of these conditions requires very different treatments, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.
The easiest way to diagnose erythrasma is to expose the area to ultraviolet light. The light will cause the bacteria causing the infection to fluoresce, resulting in a pink to coral glow. Skin scrapings may also be taken and cultured to determine the root cause of the infection. Due to the plethora of similar skin conditions that can be mistaken for erythrasma, it’s important to see a doctor or dermatologist to address skin concerns.
Corynebacterium minutissimum is usually the culprit for this condition. To prevent it, people should wash their bodies thoroughly. Antibacterial soap doesn’t have to be used constantly, but can be used periodically to remove potentially harmful bacteria from the skin’s surface. Drying yourself thoroughly after bathing can also go a long way in reducing the risk of infection.
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