Erythromelalgia (sometimes called erythermalgia) is characterized by episodes of burning pain, skin redness, and swelling of the extremities, ears and face. The pain can be severe, and is sometimes ... What is Erythromelalgia?

Understanding the Context

Erythromelalgia is a rare neurovascular condition that most commonly affects the feet, but may also occur in the hands, face, or other parts of the body. The term neurovascular means that both nerves and blood vessels are involved. Erythromelalgia manifests as red inflammation of the limbs (almost always lower) that is accompanied by severe burning and is associated with paroxysmal blood vessel pathology and vasodilation. The ...

Key Insights

Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder that can affect your feet, hands and other areas. Symptoms may come and go. They include skin redness and an intense burning sensation. This can make sleeping, walking and other tasks challenging. Medications may help symptom flares.

Final Thoughts

Erythromelalgia, or Mitchell's disease (after Silas Weir Mitchell), is a rare vascular peripheral pain disorder in which blood vessels, usually in the lower extremities or hands, are episodically blocked (frequently on and off daily), then become hyperemic and inflamed. Erythromelalgia (EM) is a rare disorder characterized by intermittent, intense burning pain, warmth and discoloration of the extremities, more commonly on the feet than the hands. There is no cure for erythromelalgia; therefore, treatment is focused on improving symptoms. Many patients can be successfully managed with behavioral interventions, topical medications, and aspirin. Other interventions may be beneficial when these measures are insufficient. Erythromelalgia is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by a triad of redness, warmth, and burning pain, most notably affecting the extremities.

It usually affects the lower extremities (most commonly feet) or may involve upper extremities (hands) in few cases.