Erythrasma
Overview
Typical are brownish-red, finely scaling plaques intertriginous in axilla / groin / submammary / interdigital.
Pathogen: Corynebacterium minutissimum (gram-positive rod, porphyrin-producing).
Diagnostics: Pathognomonic is coral-red fluorescence under Wood's light due to Coproporphyrin III.
Therapy: topical erythromycin / clindamycin, alternatively oral erythromycin 1 g/d × 5 days; fusidic acid topical as reserve.
DD: Tinea cruris (KOH+, peripheral scaling), Candidiasis intertriginosa, inverse psoriasis, Hailey-Hailey disease.
Differential diagnoses
- Candida intertrigo
- Intertrigo
- Tinea cruris
- Pityriasis versicolor
- Psoriasis inversa
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Practise Erythrasma in the app
Flashcards with spaced repetition, exam questions and spot-the-diagnosis on this topic – in DermaFuchs, free of charge.
In the DermaFuchs app: 6 flashcards · 3 clinical images
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Note: This page is intended for medical education and does not replace diagnosis or treatment decisions in individual cases. Treatment and follow-up content is available in the app.