Trichobacteriosis palmellina

Last Updated: 2021-10-15

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: -

Trichomycosis palmellina, if only the armpits are affected. Trichobacteriosis axillaris, Trichobacteriosis palmellina flava, Trichobacteriosis palmellina rubra or Trichobacteriosis palmellina nigra.

  • Frequent disease.
  • Men more often affected than women.

Corynebacterium tenuis, a gram-positive, saprophytic bacterium belongs to the physiological skin and hair flora. A lack of hygiene and pronounced hyperhidrosis can lead to pathological reproduction.

  • Whitish, yellowish, reddish to blackish, encrusted deposits (Trichobacteriosis palmellina flava, rubra or nigra) covered with "hoarfrost", which are difficult to remove. The penetrating odour (bromhidrosis), which is caused by the bacterial decomposition of sweat products, is striking. The patient is subjectively symptom-free.
  • Commonly found in association with Keratoma sulcatum and Erythrasma.

  • Clinical features.
  • The wood light shows different coloured eflorescences.
  • Bacterial smear.

Armpits, rarely Mons pubis, very rarely whole terminal hair.

Chronic course in case of inconsistent therapy and lack of personal hygiene.

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  3. Holdiness MR. Management of cutaneous erythrasma. Drugs 2002;62:1131-41.
  4. Mattox TF, Rutgers J, Yoshimori RN, Bhatia NN. Nonfluorescent erythrasma of the vulva. Obstet Gynecol 1993;81:862-4.
  5. Somerville DA. Erythrasma in normal young adults. J Med Microbiol 1970;3:57-64.
  6. Kohn FM. [Trichobacteriosis palmellina]. MMW Fortschr Med 2016;158:63.
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