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[Treatment of interdigital foot Erythrasma with ozonated olive oil]
Lourdes Ramírez-Hobak1, Gabriela Moreno-Coutiño, Roberto Arenas-Guzmán
1Sección de Micología, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González", Ciudad de México, México. ramfer2@hotmail.com.
Background:
Erythrasma is caused by Corinebacterium minutissimum producing a porphyrin that with Wood's light emits a coral-red fluorescence. It is the most common bacterial infection of the feet. Ozonated olive oil decreases the cytoplasm and damages bacterial proteins and lipids. Treatment is with oral erythromycin and there is no consensus regarding the topical therapy of choice. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ozonated olive oil in a pilot trial for Erythrasma.
Methods:
Experimental, open, observational, descriptive, longitudinal clinical trial at the section of Mycology, of the General Hospital "Dr. Manuel Gea González".
Patients:
10 individuals with interdigital feet Erythrasma.
Intervention:
ozonated olive oil every 12 hours for 10 days was given.
Results:
All patients had disappearance of coral-red fluorescence, erythema, fissures, pruritus, and maceration; two patients persisted with scaling. A cure was obtained in 100 % of patients, similar to oral erythromycin response.
Conclusions:
Ozonated olive oil is a good topical treatment option for interdigital Erythrasma avoiding oral medications. Larger studies are required.
Insights
Ozonated olive oil effectively treated interdigital Erythrasma, clearing symptoms in all patients. This topical therapy offers a promising alternative to oral erythromycin for bacterial foot infections.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Erythrasma is a common bacterial foot infection caused by *Corinebacterium minutissimum*.
- The characteristic coral-red fluorescence under Wood's light aids diagnosis.
- Ozonated olive oil exhibits antimicrobial properties by damaging bacterial components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ozonated olive oil as a topical treatment for interdigital Erythrasma.
- To assess the clinical response and safety of ozonated olive oil in a pilot trial.
Main Methods:
- An experimental, open-label, observational, descriptive, longitudinal clinical trial was conducted.
- Ten individuals diagnosed with interdigital Erythrasma participated.
- Patients applied ozonated olive oil every 12 hours for 10 days.
Main Results:
- Complete resolution of coral-red fluorescence, erythema, fissures, pruritus, and maceration was observed in all patients.
- Scaling persisted in two patients.
- A 100% cure rate was achieved, comparable to oral erythromycin treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ozonated olive oil presents a viable topical treatment option for interdigital Erythrasma.
- This topical therapy may help avoid the need for oral medications.
- Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
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