Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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amberhere 12/31/2015

Hi all, I hope you all have had a good Christmas. Can anyone advise me? At the moment I have come up with an awful rash on my right hand which the Doctor said is eczema and I have it flaring on my left foot. Is this common with DM? I wondered why after all this time it has suddenly flared up? Also feel quite rubbishy lately and out of sorts - my steroid is now only 1mg and I am due to taper now hopefully to zero. Has anyone else suffered this? I know with DM/PM it is very unpredictable but a bit concerned as I don't want to flare up again. On a lighter note, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope and pray you all will get better. Best wishes, Amber

trpt1 12/31/2015

Hi Amberhere, There is an excellent article on DM skin remedies called:
Skin Disease in Dermatomyositis - What Patients And Their Families Often Want To Know by Dr. Richard Sontheimer MD scholarship.org/uc/item/44b9bxs

You could google this article. The article has many suggestions that you could discuss with your doctor. Skin issues are different for each DM patient. I only see some skin getting red if my liver enzymes elevate, so I check liver status and other blood work.

I hope the article will give you some good ideas that might work well for the skin. Keep us posted. Happy New Year! Roll Tide!

nanny1611 12/31/2015

Sometimes the skin on my palms and soles begins to peel a lot, usually lasting 6-8 weeks. When that happens I keep my hands and feet moisturized with coconut oil. I've never been diagnosed with eczema. Here is an article about how to care for your hands. Hope it will be helpful.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/treatment-11/eczema-hands-feet

autumm 12/31/2015

Hi Amber. My Rheumatologist told me a long time ago at diagnosis that this disease is all about 'how do you feel' I am sorry you have a rash but put it together with how you are feeling then you need to contact your Rheumatologist in case this is a flare. Catching it fast and hitting it hard and fast is the way to go. If your Rheumatologist has not made a way for you to contact him quickly ask your GP to run some bloods. I hope it's nothing but you need the medics to tell you that and the Rheumatologist is the expert. Be your own advocate and push to see him. Do let us know how you are getting on. Best wishes. Autumm

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