Content
Erythromelalgia, also known as Mitchell's disease is a very rare vascular disease, which is characterized by swelling of the extremities, being more common to appear on the feet and legs, causing pain, redness, itching, hyperthermia and burning.
The appearance of this disease may be related to genetic factors or be caused by other diseases, such as autoimmune or myeloproliferative diseases, or by exposure to toxic substances.
Erythromelalgia has no cure, but the symptoms can be relieved by applying cold compresses and elevating the limbs. In addition, it is very important to treat the root cause, in order to reduce the frequency of crises.
Types of erythromelalgia and possible causes
Erythromelalgia can be classified according to the root causes:
1. Primary erythromelalgia
Primary erythromelalgia has a genetic cause, due to the occurrence of a mutation in the SCN9 gene, or is often unknown, and is more common in children and adolescents, with the most common symptoms being the appearance of flare-ups, pain, itching and burning in the hands, feet and legs, which can last only a few minutes to days.
2. Secondary erythromelalgia
Secondary erythromelalgia is associated with other diseases, more specifically autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and lupus, or myeloproliferative diseases, hypertension or certain vascular diseases, and due to the exposure of toxic substances, such as mercury or arsenic, for example , or to the use of certain drugs that block calcium channels, such as verapamil or nifedipine.
Secondary erythromelalgia is more common in adults and symptoms are usually triggered by the crises of the diseases that cause it.
In addition, exposure to heat, physical exercise, gravity and the use of socks and gloves are factors that can trigger symptoms or intensify discomfort.
What symptoms
Symptoms that can be caused by erythromelalgia occur mainly in the feet and legs and less often in the hands, the most common being pain, swelling, redness, itching, hyperthermia and burning.
How the treatment is done
As erythromelalgia has no cure, treatment consists of relieving symptoms and can be done by relieving symptoms, such as elevating the limbs and applying cold compresses to the hands, feet and legs, to reduce the heat.
In addition, it is very important to focus treatment on the disease that causes erythromelalgia, since if it is controlled, the attacks will be less frequent.