Dermatomyositis is a rare disease that affects skin and muscles, with symptoms including a purple rash, muscle pain and weakness, and calcium deposits under the skin. There is no cure, but treatment involves corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and physical therapy. Early intervention is important.
Dermatomyositis is a relatively rare disease that damages both skin and muscles. It can affect people of any age, but children and middle-aged adults are its most common victims. Furthermore, this disease generally affects more females than males. Symptoms of dermatomyositis typically get worse over time and the most common include a rash, muscle pain and weakness, and calcium deposits under the skin.
The first symptoms of dermatomyositis are almost always skin rashes. This purple-colored rash is usually quite itchy and can become scaly or scaly. It most often develops on the face, hands, arms, hips and thighs. In some cases, it can also develop on the back, scalp, and upper chest. In severe cases of dermatomyositis, blisters may form in addition to the rash.
After the rash, the next symptom to appear is progressive muscle weakness, which can occur months or even years after the initial rash. Often, this weakness is accompanied by muscle pain or tenderness in certain areas. If the rash is present for six months or more without muscle weakness, it is then labeled clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis.
Initially, the muscles closest to the trunk are affected, namely the shoulder and hip muscles. Getting up from a chair or raising your arms above your head can be extremely difficult at times. As the disease progresses, other areas of the body can be affected, causing more serious complications. Lung problems, fatigue, fever, intestinal perforations, and gastrointestinal ulcers are other symptoms of dermatomyositis. Difficulty swallowing due to this disease can also lead to weight loss.
About one to three years after dermatomyositis begins, calcium deposits may begin to form under the skin. This is called calcinosis and typically occurs more often in children than adults. These hard bumps form under the skin and can occur anywhere on the body. Most often, however, they occur on the hands and arms.
There is no cure for this disease. Instead, treatment focuses primarily on soothing the symptoms of dermatomyositis. As with most other diseases, early intervention is the key to success and may lead to fewer complications down the road.
The first treatments usually involve the use of corticosteroids. If these fail, doctors may start treatment with immunosuppressants. These drugs limit the production of antibodies in the body, which can lead to less inflammation associated with dermatomyositis symptoms. Physical therapy is another common treatment for dermatomyositis, known to improve flexibility and strength in some patients.
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