Dermatomyositis- Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

What is Dermatomyositis?

Dermatomyositis is also known as inflammatory myopathies. Dermatomyositis is a connective tissue disease. Dermatomyositis is caused by inflammation of the muscles, polymyositis and the skin. It occur in any age group, It is mostly seen in adults in their 40 to 60 and children between 5 and 15 years of age..It is more seen in women. Red rashes occur on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, and other locations. It begins with white blood cells. It is associated with cancer or with other diseases of connective tissue.

Causes of Dermatomyositis

• Viral infection
• Autoimmuno reaction
• Tissue disorders
• Exposure to certain drugs
• Genetic predisposition

What are the symptoms of Dermatomyositis?

• Weakness, stiffness and pain
• Fever, malaise, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, skin and mucosal lesions
• Rash over the neck, shoulders, and upper chest and back
• Loss of muscle power and atrophy
• Heart and lung involvement can lead to irregular heart rhythm, heart failure, and shortness of breath.
• Hardened deposits of calcium under the skin in childrens.
• Ragged cuticles and prominent blood vessels on nail folds
  

DermatomyositisTreatment

• A daily injection of a corticosteroid, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• It may be treated with immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine or methotrexate.
• Periodic treatment using intravenous immunoglobulin can be used as best treatement.
• It is treated with high doses of corticosteroids.
• High Dose Prednisolone.
• Cyclophosphamide.
• Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker usually prescribed for high blood pressure, may reduce calcinosis.
• Surgery may be used to remove painful calcium deposits.