Dermatology >>>> Erythrasma

Erythrasma.

Erythrasma is a lesion of the surface layer of the skin (epidermis), usually located in the area of folds of the skin, on the folds, where sweating is usually increased.

Erythrasma is a disease of bacterial etiology, the causative agent of which is one of the strains of Corynebacterium - Corynebactcrium minutissimum. Outwardly, the disease looks like a fungal infection of the skin, and for a long time it was believed that its causative agent is a fungus. Now erythrasma is referred to as pseudomycosis. The causative agent of erythrasma is transmitted through close contacts: during intercourse as a result of friction of the skin, through personal items, bedding, clothing. Despite the fact that erythrasma can develop in people of both sexes, men are more susceptible to this disease, and in children, erythrasma is a rare occurrence.

The causes of erythrasma are associated with a number of factors predisposing to the development of the disease:

Increased sweating,
The predominantly alkaline environment of the constituent components of sweat,
Overweight,
Metabolic disorders,
Skin scuffs,
Skin diseases that violate the barrier structure of the skin (eczema, dermatoses, etc.).

Signs of erythrasma are visible to the naked eye and represent a reddish spot on the skin of a non-inflammatory nature, limited in localization and having raised edges around the perimeter in the form of a rim. There may be several spots, but gradually they merge together. Erythrasma develops painlessly, but when sweat gets on the affected surface, it can manifest itself as burning or itching.

The locations of erythrasma are very typical for this disease: the groin area, under the mammary glands, in the axillary areas, in the folds of the abdomen, under the chin, in the intergluteal fissure. As a rule, all locations of erythrasma are accompanied by a stronger sweating of the skin.

To carry out a successful treatment of erythrasma, it requires its accurate diagnosis, since outwardly the disease is very similar to fungal skin lesions, eczema, epidermophytosis, diaper rash, and rubromycosis. For a reliable diagnosis of erythrasma, the affected areas are illuminated with a Wood lamp, under the rays of which the porphyrins (pigments) secreted by the above-mentioned bacteria strain are painted in a coral shade. Before diagnostics of this kind, do not wipe, wash with water or other means, the affected skin areas due to the fact that porphyrins are water-soluble and are easily washed off from the skin surface.

For the treatment of erythrasma, antiseptic ointments (erythromycin, sulfur-tar) are used. With extensive skin lesions with erythrasma, antibacterial therapy with drugs of the macrolide group is performed. Healthy areas of the skin adjacent to the affected are treated with iodine, glycerin - salicylic, salicylic - resorcinol or salicylic alcohol solution to restrain opportunistic organisms from penetrating the area affected by erythrasma. It is recommended to take an ultraviolet bath or irradiate the affected skin with a UV lamp. The treatment is carried out within seven days.

To prevent infection with erythrasma in other areas of the skin, the patient's clothes and linen are ironed daily with a hot iron; the towel and hygiene items are disinfected.

To prevent re-infection with erythrasma, problem areas of the skin are daily wiped with salicylic, camphor alcohol solution, boric acid and treated with talcum powder or antiperspirants with talcum powder, regular showers and wiping the skin folds dry, eliminate the causes of hyperhidrosis. Avoid places with hot and humid climates and stuffy rooms, physical activity that contributes to excessive sweating. Clothing is chosen from natural fibers - it absorbs sweat well and allows air to pass through (synthetics must be discarded). With regular relapses of the disease, it is possible to remove the sweat glands in problem areas or subcutaneously administer botulinum toxin A.