I've had erythrasma in the groin region for nearly 15 years. It flares when I'm too warm or sweaty. The pruritis is terrible at night which makes it difficult to sleep. Been taking Erythromycin pills 500mg 4x/day. Allergic to Clindamycin. Wishing for relief.
Is ketoconazole foam good for treating erythrasma?
- Posted:
- 4 May 2011 by Jenniewren
- Topics:
- sleep disorders, erythromycin, ketoconazole, sleep
Details:
Added 10 May 2011:
We sound like the same person in that area. Same thing for me - about 15 summers ago is when mine started and yes, it's awful to try to sleep through it. Also allergic to Clindamycin so the topical lotion I was given only served to irritate things. There are only a couple months a year where I'm not fighting it. My doc keeps undertreating it with 500mg Erythromycin (funny how similar it is to erythrasma) 2x each day. Through reading, I recommended 500mg 4x/day and doc keeps changing it to 2x. . Not sure if that will take you anywhere but it says that in addition to Erythromycin "An added benefit of topical ketoconazole for the management of erythrasma is that the broad-spectrum antifungal will address any concomitant fungal component of the presentation, eliminating the need for culture and optimizing the likelihood of complete cutaneous clearance.
Now if I can just break the pruritis/scratching/healing cycle...
How long do you typically take the Erythromycin? 2 weeks? 4? or until it is cleared plus a certain number of days to be sure?
Yours in wishing for relief. Thanks for the info. - Jennie
Added 10 May 2011:
Oh, I mix a dab of ketoconazole cream with a dab of bactroban cream and apply to the area. I'm starting to think it might be working as the affected area seems to be shrinking. Good luck.
Answers (1)
LaurieShay9 May 2011
Hey Jenniewren,
Erythrasma is caused by the gram positive bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum. Ketoconazole is an anti fungal antibiotic. Therefore, the ketoconazole will not treat the bacterial infection so it is not good for treating the erythrasma.
How long have you been on the erythromycin? The erythromycin is the correct bacterial antibiotic for the Corynebacterium minutissimum. You need to give it time to work.
You may get some relief from some topical cream such as Aveno anti itch cream or hydrocortisone cream while you wait for the antibiotic to work.
Best wishes,
Laurie
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar questions
Erythromycin Ophthalmic - Is Erythromycin ointment or a solution available over-the-counter, or is a
... prescription necessary?
2 answers • 10 Dec 2009 • 
Sleep Disorders - my husband is taking trazondone hcl 100mg for pstd and sleep disorder and has been
... diagnosis with sleep apnea. is this medications safe for him being he has sleep apnea?
2 answers • 10 Dec 2009 • 1 star
Sleep Disorders - I have trouble sleeping that's why I am awake now on line, I want to sleep but I?
... just stay busy, no matter how tried I am. Why do you think I am awake, I am not worried about anything I just like to stay up, I feel good but ...
5 answers • 16 Jun 2010 •
Good sleep medicine not over the counter?
what would be a good sleep aide medicine that works fast that is not over the counter.some names of medicines doctor would give you
3 answers • 6 Feb 2011 • 1 star
What do erythromycin pills look like?
I used to take a erythromycin that I thought was maybe 500 mg and was green. Is there an old manufacturer that had a green tablet? My ENT dr. retired ...
1 answer • 8 Nov 2011 •