Other diseases commonly caused by corynebacteria include trichomycosis axillaris and pitted keratolysis. The preferred treatment for erythrasma is a course of oral erythromycin, plus vigorous daily cleansing with soap and water. Because of the production of porphyrins by the infecting Corynebacterium, Wood's light demonstrates the lesions as a coral-pink color.Įrythrasma is often confused with a fungal infection, such as tinea cruris, but this confusion is of little consequence since corynebacteria are often eradicated with an imidazole cream (such as Miconazole and others), the agent used to treat tinea infections. The lesions are largely confluent but may have poorly defined borders. The infected skin is often reddish-brown, may be slightly raised from the surrounding skin and may show the appearance of central clearing. While moderate itching and discomfort may be noted, the patient generally presents with only skin-color changes in the infected area. Erythrasma and Related ConditionsĮrythrasma is a superficial skin infection caused by corynebacteria that commonly occurs in intertriginous spaces. These types of bacterial skin infections are not discussed in this article.

While there are certainly other bacterial skin infections, they are either uncommon or result from systemic illness. Bacterial skin infections include erythrasma and related diseases, impetigo, ecthyma, folliculitis, erysipelas and cellulitis. Skin infections are often the result of a break in the integrity of the skin. Although the skin is remarkably effective in providing protection against the external environment, skin infections are nevertheless a common presentation in most family practices. The skin has the largest surface area of all of the body organs and is the most exposed organ. Animal bites may result in complex, serious infections, requiring tetanus and, possibly, rabies prophylaxis in addition to appropriate antibiotic therapy. Wounds caused by wood splinters or thorns may result in sporotrichosis. Candidal infections occur in moist areas, such as the vulva, mouth, penis, skinfolds and diaper area. The many dermatomycoses (skin infections caused by fungi or yeasts) include tinea capitis, tinea barbae, tinea cruris, tinea manus, tinea pedis and tinea unguium (onychomycosis). Human papillomavirus skin infections present as several different types of warts, depending on the surface infected and its relative moisture, and the patterns of pressure. Streptococcal skin infections include impetigo and erysipelas.

Staphylococci may cause impetigo, ecthyma and folliculitis. Bacterial skin infections caused by corynebacteria include erythrasma, trichomycosis axillaris and pitted keratolysis. Breaks in the skin integrity, particularly those that inoculate pathogens into the dermis, frequently cause or exacerbate skin infections. Skin infections are common and may be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses.

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