Arthritis-Symptom.com
Information about all types of arthritis and inflammatory conditions.

Health News
64 condition specific health news pages

Information	Symptoms	Diagnosis	Treatment	Picture
Amyopathic	Juvenile	Polymyositis	Reaserch	Causes

Symptoms of Dermatomyositis

In most people the illness develops slowly over months or years. In some it can occur suddenly.

This autoimmune disease results in the production of proteins called autoantibodies which attack the body's tissues.

It is a disease of flares and remissions for no apparent reason.

Symptoms of Dermatomyositis include

A violet-colored or dusky red rash, most commonly on your face, eyelids, and areas around your nails, knuckles, elbows, knees, chest and back. Affected areas are typically more sensitive to sun exposure.
Progressive muscle weakness, particularly in the muscles closest to the trunk, such as those in your hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms and neck. This weakness is symmetrical, affecting both the left and right sides of your body.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
Joint or muscle pain or tenderness.
Fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Hardened deposits of calcium under the skin (calcinosis), especially in children.
Gastrointestinal ulcers and infections, also more common in children.
Lung problems.

This web site is intended for your own informational purposes only. No person or entity associated with this web site purports to be engaging in the practice of medicine through this medium. The information you receive is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. If you have an illness or medical problem, contact your health care provider.