Do I Have Dermatomyositis?

Do you have a reddish-purple rash around the eyelids?

Do you have red or purple spots on the knuckles, elbows, knees, and toes?

Do you have scaly, rough, and dry skin (it may looks like sunburn)?

Do you have discolored skin on shoulders, neck, and upper back?

Do you have muscle weakness in your arms, legs, neck, hip, back, and shoulders?

Do you have difficulty swallowing and voice changes?

Do you have muscle aches and join pain?

Do you have trouble rising from a chair or getting out of bed due to muscle weakness?

Do you have stiff joints that become pale and painful in cold conditions, and feel better when warmed (Raynaud's phenomenon)?

Do you have swollen, red areas around the fingernails?

Do you have hard lumps under the skin (calcinosis)?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is a rare medical condition characterized by muscle weakness and a specific skin rash. Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disease that affects both adults and children. It is twice as common in women as in men. The exact cause is still unknown, but dermatomyositis is considered an autoimmune disease. Environmental and genetic factors may also play a role in the development of dermatomyositis. Certain medications, viral infections, and sun exposure can trigger the symptoms of this condition. Dermatomyositis can cause discomfort and pain, but it is not a life-threatening disease.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects your muscles and your skin. The symptoms may occur suddenly or develop gradually over time. The first symptom of the disease is a distinctive skin rash that often appears before muscle weakness. The muscle weakness worsens over time, leading to rigid, painful joints and muscle wasting. Sometimes, the muscle weakness spreads to your heart, lungs or digestive tract causing additional symptoms. A diagnosis is based on a detailed physical examination followed by lab tests that electromyography and skin or muscle biopsy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in your muscles and skin. At the beginning of the disease, you may feel pain and muscle weakness. People with this condition have difficulty raising their arms, climbing stairs, swallowing and speaking. A skin rash usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest and back. Although it can be very uncomfortable, dermatomyositis is a treatable disease. Some people recover completely. The goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms. It includes medication, physical therapy and exercise.