Erythrasma is a disease of the skin that causes corinobacteria. Similar microorganisms are present in many healthy people. Their localization places are the stratum corneum of the skin, mainly in large skin folds. Hair and nails during the reproduction of bacteria are not harmful.
We will talk about the treatment of erythrasma in this article.
Disease Description
The main factors that trigger the activation of corynebacteria are overweight and lack of personal hygiene, which leads to a violation of the pH level. In addition, increased sweating or hyperhidrosis can also cause the development of erythrasma.
The disease can be transmitted through the personal way through the infected person’s personal belongings, for example, towels, bed linen, infection is also possible through direct contact with the infected area of the skin, for example, during sexual intercourse.
Wood Lamp
Diagnosis of erythrasma occurs using a special Wood lamp, the light of which illuminates the infected areas in red. Pathology is included in the category of keratomycotic skin diseases, although the bacteria that cause it are not considered fungi. Microscopy of skin flakes taken for examination from the affected area shows thin winding filaments of various lengths that resemble coccoid cells and mycelia. Treatment of erythrasma should be comprehensive.
The disease develops depending on the individual characteristics of the body, as well as temperature and air humidity, skin friction and the amount of perspiration. If signs of the onset of the disease have been detected, you should consult a dermatologist to avoid damage to large areas of the skin.
Symptoms
At the initial stage of development of erythrasma, foci of inflammation are formed, varying in color from light brown to bright red. Inflammations can connect together into larger ones, however, all have clearly defined boundaries and take the form of an arc or festoon. The spots themselves can be either smooth or covered with skin scales.
Swelling is quite rare in the erythrasma region, which frame the center of inflammation. The skin in the middle of the affected area turns pale, and sometimes pigmented in brown. Only rarely is the disease accompanied by itching. Most often, this can occur in the hot season, due to this phenomenon by profuse sweating. Treatment of erythrasma (a photo of one of the symptoms is presented below) is a long process.
Personal hygiene
Non-observance of personal hygiene rules leads to the development of the inflammatory process, which exacerbates the course of the disease as a whole. Pathology appears, as a rule, on the skin in large folds. The most frequent localization in men is the inguinal region, in women it is the armpits, chest folds and the umbilical region. In children, erythrasma is diagnosed very rarely. In patients with overweight and in case of non-observance of basic hygiene rules, the ailment proceeds in an acute form and a tendency to relapse appears.
Timeliness of therapy
If there are no characteristic symptoms, then treatment of inguinal erythrasma may not be timely, this pathology can easily be left without attention from the infected person until a certain point. At the same time, there is a risk of the disease becoming chronic and infection of a large area of the skin. Diabetes mellitus, hyperhidrosis and overweight can significantly complicate the course of the disease and lead to eczematization and diaper rash. In this case, subjective signs will appear in the form of itching and burning, which are not characteristic of a mild form of erythrasma.
Diagnostics
A significant role in identifying the disease is manifested by the symptoms and the nature of the rash that has formed on the skin. To accurately establish the diagnosis, a microscopic examination is performed. It makes it possible to detect the presence of coccoid cells in the form of thin filaments that group or bind into chains.
In addition, a Wood lamp is used, which involves luminescent diagnostics. The light from the lamp affects the foci in such a way that they turn bright red or the color of a brick. This is explained by the presence of water-soluble porphyrins, which are secreted by bacteria.
Swelling
Erythrasma in the inguinal region is characterized by the formation of swelling along the edges of the infected skin. Swelling looks like vesicles that cause itching and burning. During diagnosis, it is important to differentiate erythrasma from rubromycosis, which is also localized in the groin. Its foci have discontinuous edges. The disease is accompanied by itching and most often manifests itself on the legs and feet.
Erythrasma differs from depriving by the appearance and color of the infected areas. The fluorescent lamp creates a special glow that allows you to visualize the affected areas. Diaper rash is characterized by bright outlines and inflammation in an acute form.
Erythrasma treatment
The treatment is based on the use of special medicines that disinfect affected areas and exfoliate dead cells. Tar and erythromycin ointments are often prescribed. Such appointments should be made by the attending dermatologist. The independent use of any drugs can aggravate the course of the disease and lead to complications. How is erythrasma treated in men?
Ointments are rubbed only on areas of the skin that have been adversely affected by pathogenic microorganisms. The duration of therapy is one week. Ointments are used twice a day. Sometimes, experts also prescribe skin treatment with iodine solution or salicylic alcohol. This helps to dry and disinfect inflamed skin during erythrasma treatment.
With extensive skin damage and inguinal localization, therapy with antibiotics is prescribed. They help relieve inflammation and redness. The same purpose is pursued by the appointment of water-soluble aniline dyes.
Treatment of inguinal erythrasma in men is carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
Ultraviolet
Such physiotherapy as ultraviolet is no less effective. It should be sunbathing for half an hour twice a day. Ultraviolet gently affects the skin, providing a drying effect and acting as an antiseptic. Thus, it is possible to prevent the further spread of the disease and complications.
The complex treatment of erythrasma in women (photo in the article) also includes the disinfection of all personal belongings of the infected, including bedding and clothes, as well as shoes and household items. Fabric items are ironed on both sides. After the disease has subsided, doctors recommend wiping the skin with camphor oil or salicylic alcohol for about two months. The treatment of erythrasma in women and men is different.
Prevention
The most important means of preventing pathology is to follow simple personal hygiene rules. It is necessary to keep the skin dry even in the hot season. After water procedures, including showering and washing, you should thoroughly, but without strong friction, dry your skin with a towel.
Hyperhidrosis is a major problem. It can be a symptom of many diseases, so its appearance should not be ignored and examined. It happens that hyperhidrosis is a consequence of the individual characteristics of the body. In this case, it is possible to fight it by introducing drugs containing botulinum toxin type A. In addition, you should regularly use antiperspirants that reduce the amount of sweat secreted.
Rejection of synthetics
Another preventive measure is the rejection of synthetic fabrics in clothing. You should give preference to things made of natural materials that pass air well and do not retain excess moisture.
After buying new clothes, bedding, towels, it is recommended to wash them before using them. This is due to the fact that the substances that they process during production are stored on new tissues. It is important to iron things thoroughly after washing, as this will help to avoid the growth of harmful bacteria and dry the fabrics well.