What Is 皮肌炎?
皮肌炎 is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy — an autoimmune disease of the skin 肌肉组织. In some patients the lungs may also be affected, 在其他情况下, dermatomyositis may be a sign of an underlying cancer. Other names for this disease include:
- amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) — this type has dermatomyositis skin symptoms without the 肌肉无力,
- adult dermatomyositis, and
- juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS).
Who Is Affected By 皮肌炎?
This disease can happen to anyone at any age. 然而, adults in their late 40s to early 60s and children between the ages of 5 and 15 are more likely to be diagnosed with dermatomyositis.
皮肌炎 Causes
The cause of this disorder has yet to be determined, but it is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (when your body’s immune system mistakes its own healthy cells as foreign or unhealthy). Your genetic makeup may make you susceptible to developing the disease.
Find an Autoimmune Skin Disease Specialist
皮肌炎 Symptoms
The first signs of dermatomyositis can make a sudden or gradual appearance over time. The telltale signs of dermatomyositis include:
- violet rashes that appear on your face, 人的皮肤, 和关节, 比如指关节, 肘部, 和膝盖,
- 发痒，鳞状皮疹，
- sun sensitivity, and
- 肌肉无力.
Adults may experience other symptoms such as:
- 减肥,
- 低烧,
- 乏力，
- shortness of breath, and
- calcinosis (calcium deposits that form under the skin or in the muscle). 然而, this symptom is more often seen in children.
皮肌炎 Rash vs. 红斑皮疹
皮肌炎 and autoimmune diseases like lupus may have overlapping features; however, the rashes look very different. A dermatomyositis rash has a purple-red hue that usually appears on your eyelids 和关节 like the knuckles, 肘部, 膝盖, 和脚趾.
You may also find red rashes on your face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, and other places. A facial lupus rash typically resembles the shape of a butterfly that crosses the cheeks and bridge of your nose and looks like a sunburn. Other kinds of lupus rashes may look like red, scaly lesions that worsen after exposure to the sun.
皮肌炎 Treatment
There is no cure for dermatomyositis, but there are treatments people should consider to help ease their symptoms.
- 局部药物治疗 — Corticosteroid creams may be prescribed to help with the rash and itch.
- 口服药物治疗 — A corticosteroid or immunosuppressant drug will often be prescribed to reduce inflammation.
- 防晒 ——戴帽子, 防护服, and using sunscreen with a high SPF when spending time outdoors is very important.
- 血液灌注 — Biologic medications may be used to reduce inflammation. Some infusions are given on a monthly basis, whereas other medications may be given once or twice yearly.
- 物理治疗 — This may be recommended to help maintain and regain your strength and range of motion.
We may even regularly screen you for cancer and lung inflammation using blood tests, CT扫描, and other imaging tests.
皮肌炎 Life Expectancy
If you treat it early, the prognosis for dermatomyositis is good. Some people may even recover and have their symptoms fully disappear, but this is more common in children. 病人 who delay treatment may experience lung or heart problems or a permanent disability. It is important to monitor your symptoms closely and follow any instructions given by your physician throughout treatment to improve your overall health and outcome.
Make An Appointment with Our Specialists
A referral is required to meet with an autoimmune skin disease specialist. 然而, if you have questions about a skin condition without a pre-existing diagnosis, you can schedule an appointment with a general dermatologist at the U of U Health clinic by contacting 801-581-2955.
For new patients with an existing diagnosis, you will need a referral from your current provider. Your referral should include your name, 出生日期, 家庭住址, 电话号码, and insurance company.
Before your first appointment, records about your autoimmune history should be faxed to U of U Health at 801-581-4911. These records should include clinic notes, 活组织检查报告, 实验报告, 诊断研究, radiographic studies, 和治疗方法.
Please make sure your doctor faxes your referral to:
犹他大学
Department of 皮肤病学
Attn: Autoimmune Clinic
电话: 801-581-2955, ask for autoimmune scheduling
传真: 801-581-4911
We will review referral requests within 48 hours to make sure that the best dermatologist evaluates each case. We will contact new patients about an appointment.