Erythrasma Treatment in Nepal The Bacterial Fold Infection — Coral-Red on Wood's Lamp + the Correct Antibacterial

Erythrasma — the Bacterial Fold Infection

Erythrasma is a **bacterial infection of the skin folds** — caused by *Corynebacterium minutissimum* — affecting the groin, axillae, intergluteal and inframammary folds, and the toe webs. It produces well-defined, pink-to-brown, finely-scaly patches.

It is **very commonly confused with tinea cruris** (the leading look-alike) and with candida — but it's bacterial, not fungal, so the antifungals don't work. The diagnosis is quick and definitive: **coral-red fluorescence under a Wood's lamp** — the bacterial porphyrins fluoresce.

Treatment is an antibacterial, not an antifungal — usually macrolide or topical antibiotic. This page covers recognition and correct management.

Recognizing Erythrasma

The Wood's Lamp Diagnosis

**Wood's lamp examination gives an instant, elegant answer** — erythrasma fluoresces a distinctive coral-red (from corynebacterial porphyrins) under UV. A few seconds of examination distinguishes it from tinea and candida definitively.

This is the test that ends months of failed antifungal treatment — the diagnosis is that quick.

Treatment — Antibacterial, Not Antifungal

The Differential

Erythrasma vs tinea cruris is the key distinction — tinea has a raised scaly advancing edge and spares the scrotum; erythrasma is more uniform and involves the folds including scrotum sometimes. Wood's lamp: erythrasma = coral-red; tinea = no fluorescence.

Correct diagnosis = the right drug class. Treating erythrasma with an antifungal fails; treating it with an antibacterial works.

Erythrasma Care & Costs

Transparent pricing; confirm current rates on booking.

Related Services & Guides