Erythrasma natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

Overview

Upon Corynebacterium minitissium infection, the affected region of the epidermis becomes erythematous and present with pruritus. As hyperkeratosis and keratolysis occurs, the red-pink lesions becomes reddish-brown and begins to scale and shed. Without treatment, the lesions usually remain and spreading occurs concurrent with the spread of bacterial infection. Complications of erythrasma result from persistence of symptoms or spread of infection. Without treatment, the prognosis for erythrasma varies based on the emergence and presence of complications. With treatment, the prognosis for erythrasma is good; complete resolution of symptoms and recovery is expected.

Natural History

Upon Corynebacterium minitissium infection, the affected region of the epidermis becomes erythematous and present with pruritus.^[1]
As hyperkeratosis and keratolysis occurs, the red-pink lesions becomes reddish-brown and begins to scale and shed.
Without treatment, the lesions usually remain and spreading occurs concurrent with the spread of bacterial infection.

Complications

Complications of erythrasma result from persistence of symptoms or spread of infection:^[2]

Septicemia
Contact dermatitis
Lichenification if lesions are persistently scratched
Pigmentation scarring and disfiguration
Dermatophytosis and bacterial co-infections

Prognosis

Without treatment, the prognosis for erythrasma varies.^[2]
- The condition is usually chronic and recurrent if the Corynebacterium minitissium infection is not treated.
- Potential complications of infection, such as septicemia, can lead to poor prognosis.
With treatment, the prognosis for erythrasma is good; complete resolution of symptoms and recovery is expected.

References

↑ Tony Burns; Stephen Breathnach; Neil Cox; Christopher Griffiths (2010). Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 5–. ISBN 978-1-4051-6169-5. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Morales-Trujillo ML, Arenas R, Arroyo S (2008). “[Interdigital erythrasma: clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic findings]”. Actas Dermosifiliogr (in Spanish; Castilian). 99 (6): 469–73. PMID 18558055.

[BurnsBreathnach2010-1] Tony Burns; Stephen Breathnach; Neil Cox; Christopher Griffiths (2010). Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 5–. ISBN 978-1-4051-6169-5. Retrieved 14 November 2010.

[pmid18558055-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Morales-Trujillo ML, Arenas R, Arroyo S (2008). “[Interdigital erythrasma: clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic findings]”. Actas Dermosifiliogr (in Spanish; Castilian). 99 (6): 469–73. PMID 18558055.

[1]

[2]