The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
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Centers of Excellence
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We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
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The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
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Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
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The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
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Erythrasma
Definition
Erythrasma is a long-term bacterial infection that usually appears in the area between overlapping skin (skin folds).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Erythrasma is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium minutissimum.
Erythrasma is more common in warm climates. You are more likely to develop this condition if you are overweight or have diabetes.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are reddish-brown slightly scaly patches with sharp borders. The patches occur in moist areas such as the groin, armpit, and skin folds. They may itch slightly and often look like patches associated with other fungal infections, such as ringworm.
Signs and tests
- Culture of scrapings from the skin patch
- Wood's lamp examination
Treatment
Gently scrubbing the skin patches with antibacterial soap may help them go away. Prescription erythromycin gel applied to the skin also works very well. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe erythromycin pills.
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Complete recovery is expected following treatment.
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of erythrasma develop.
Prevention
These measures may reduce the risk of erythrasma:
- Maintaining good hygiene
- Keeping the skin dry
- Wearing clean, absorbent clothing
- Avoiding excessive heat or moisture
- Maintaining healthy body weight
References
Browning J, Levy M. Cellulitis and superficial skin infections. In: Long SS, ed. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 72.
Habif TP. Superficial and fungal infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 13.
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