Erythromelalgia: New theories and new therapies

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that has remained an enigma diagnostically and therapeutically for decades. It has been assumed that erythromelalgia, which is characterized by hot, red, intensely painful feet or hands, may be the opposite of Raynaud's phenomenon. However, new research sugge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2000-11, Vol.43 (5), p.841-847
Main Author: Cohen, Jay S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Capsaicin - therapeutic use
Combined Modality Therapy
Dermatology
Diagnosis, Differential
Erythema - etiology
Erythromelalgia - diagnosis
Erythromelalgia - drug therapy
Erythromelalgia - physiopathology
Extremities - blood supply
Humans
Medical sciences
Pain - etiology
Prognosis
Temperature
Vascular Diseases - complications
Vascular disorders of the skin
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Summary:Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that has remained an enigma diagnostically and therapeutically for decades. It has been assumed that erythromelalgia, which is characterized by hot, red, intensely painful feet or hands, may be the opposite of Raynaud's phenomenon. However, new research suggests that these two disorders are more similar than dissimilar. Erythromelalgia usually follows a chronic, sometimes progressive and disabling course. New evidence suggests that this may not be a disease entity at all, but a syndrome of dysfunctional vascular dynamics; recent studies demonstrate that this dysfunction is reversible in some patients. This review article presents the latest theories and successful treatments for erythromelalgia, and data from a survey of members of The Erythromelalgia Association, which was formed to provide information about erythromelalgia to doctors and patients. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:841-7.)
ISSN:0190-9622
1097-6787
DOI:10.1067/mjd.2000.109301