Erythrasma Revisited: Diagnosis, Differential Diagnoses, and Comprehensive Review of Treatment

Erythrasma is a bacterial infection of the skin typically caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum. This pathogen infects the stratum corneum in warm and wet areas of the skin. Most commonly, the axillary, inguinal, and interdigital regions are affected. A 60-year-old man presented for the examination of a pedunculated lesion on his right proximal thigh. Upon examination of the lesion, adjacent areas of central hypopigmentation and peripheral hyperpigmented scaling were also noted bilaterally in the groin region. Differential diagnoses of candidiasis, dermatophyte infection, erythrasma, pityriasis versicolor, and terra firma-forme dermatosis were considered. Wood lamp examination revealed bright coral-pink fluorescence. Correlation of the clinical examination and the Wood lamp finding established the diagnosis of erythrasma. Twice daily topical 2% mupirocin ointment therapy led to the resolution of our patient’s erythrasma. In this case report, the diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and treatment of erythrasma are reviewed.