Erythromelalgia
How severe can it be?
People with erythromelalgia typically suffer episodes or flare-ups of severe pain lasting from a few minutes to days.
Flare-ups usually start as an itching sensation, which worsens to a severe burning pain and tender, mottled red skin.
The hands and feetare most commonly affected,usually on both sides of the body, buterythromelalgia can also affect the arms, legs, earsand face.
The pain can be severe enough to make walking, standing, socialising, exercising and sleeping difficult. It can have a significant impact on work or school life.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder that causes episodes of burning pain and redness in the hands and feet, and sometimes the arms, legs, ears and face.
How severe can it be?
People with erythromelalgia typically suffer episodes or flare-ups of severe pain lasting from a few minutes to days. Flare-ups usually start as an itching sensation, which worsens to a severe burnin
What are the triggers?
Symptoms are usually triggered by an increase in body temperature. They can start after exercising,wearing warm socks, gloves or tight shoes,entering a warm room, being dehydrated, or evenconsuming a
What is the cause?
For most people witherythromelalgia,the cause is unknown. However, in some cases, an underlying cause may be found usually a medical condition or a faulty gene (see below). Underlying disease Eryt
Can it be treated?
Cooling the skin and elevation Cooling the skin with a fan or cold water, or raising the affected hands or feetmay relieve the pain. However, using ice or soaking the hands or feet for long amounts
Information about you
If you or your child haserythromelalgia, your clinical team will pass information about you/your childon to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This help
More information and support
Specialist centres in the UK Paediatric cases: Great Ormond Street Hospitalfor Children Pain Control Service Clinical Lead for Pain Management Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine Level 4, P
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