Erythrasma is a type of skin infection caused by bacteria. It attacks on the moist folds of the skin like that of armpit, knees and groin. In medical terms for the skin folds is called intertriginous skin. The infection begins in the form small reddish brown spots on these areas which would be itchy. These patches will have a tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Though erythrasma is ugly looking it can be treated easily and is nothing harmful.
Symptoms :
Some of the prominent signs of erythrasma skin infection are itchy feeling under the arms and on the inner thighs or in the groin. The skin changes its normal color and becomes dark brown or red. Further it is marked by the development of scaly red patches or dark spots with defined borders. It may develop between the toes also and is more particular in the area between fourth and fifth toe.
If left untreated, the itchy feeling will change into burning sensation in the affected area. For severe case of infection, some people may have fever, headache and fatigue. For some cases, the infection develops on the crevice of the buttocks folds and even under the breasts. This infection will spread widely on diabetic patients moving into the legs, arms and some parts of trunk also. In many cases, the symptoms are very mild and there are few people without any symptoms excepting itchy feeling in the groin.
Causes :
The bacterium by name Coryne-bacterium minutissimum causes erythrasma. The bacterium infects mostly on the adults but in few cases children may also get infected. Men have more chance to get erythrasma infection than women. Again the site of infection is restricted to the skin folds region where part of the skin comes in direct contact with skin like that of armpits and groin. The infection is largely seen in dark complexioned people.