Erythromelalgia: New theories and new therapies

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that has remained an enigma diagnostica lly and therapeutically for decades. It has been assumed that erythromelalg ia, which is characterized by hot, red, intensely painful feet or hands, ma y be the opposite of Raynaud's phenomenon. However, new research suggests t hat these two disorders are more similar than dissimilar Erythromelalgia us ually follows a chronic, sometimes progressive and disabling course. New ev idence suggests that this may not be a disease entity at all, but a syndrom e of dysfunctional vascular dynamics; recent studies demonstrate that this dysfunction is reversible in some patients. This review article presents th e latest theories and successful treatments for erythromelalgia, and data f rom a survey of members of The Erythromelalgia Association, which was forme d to provide information about erythromelalgia to doctors and patients.