home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK01394}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What is "Erythrasma"?}
- $Subject{skin rash erythrasma infections skin subcutaneous tissue fungal
- fungus infection bacteria corynebacterium minutissimum pink patches brown
- scale scaly antibiotic erythromycin tetracycline bacterial bacterium rashes}
- $Volume{A-20, L-20}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What is "Erythrasma"?
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- QUESTION: I have been trying to clear up a peculiar skin rash for some time.
- After one doctor diagnosed it as a fungal rash, I took a good deal of medicine
- that didn't work. My new doctor claims it isn't a fungus at all but a
- different condition called "erythrasma" (I made him write it down so I am sure
- the spelling is right). Can you explain condition to me and what special
- treatment may be necessary to cure it?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Good for you. Getting the name of your condition properly spelled is
- a great first step towards understanding what it is and what must be done.
- Erythrasma is a superficial skin infection caused be a bacteria
- (Corynebacterium minutissimum) which is seen most commonly in adults. It
- looks a lot like a fungal infection and forms irregular pink patches which
- often turn brown with a fine scale along the thighs, trunk, axilla or groin.
- It can also cause a scaly rash between the toes that looks like athlete's
- foot. It will probably clear up quite quickly with 2 weeks of antibiotic
- therapy using either oral erythromycin or tetracycline.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-