Erythromelalgia is a rare chronic disorder characterized by warmth, burning pain and redness in the feet and the lower part of the legs or in the hands. Symptoms are brought on by physical exercise or immersing the extremity in warm water and are relieved by cooling.
Erythromelalgia is usually primary (or idiopathic), i.e. no cause can be identified.
Occasionally, it can be secondary to conditions like:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosous
- Haematologic disorders, such as idiopathic polycythaemia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Neurologic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis
- Other disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, gout
Many individuals with erythromelalgia have symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome.
Last modified 08/08/2012
