Erythromelalgia, also known as Mitchell's disease (after Silas Weir Mitchell) and red neuralgia, is a rare disorder in which blood vessels, usually in the extremeties and especially in the feet, are blocked and inflamed, causing a painful burning and throbbing sensation and red skin. The attacks come and go, and tend to be worse in summer. Erythromelalgia is often associated with vascular diseases such as polycythaemia vera, thrombocytosis or with heavy metal poisoning.

Erythromelalgia responds to cooling, and often disappears completely on taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin. Cooling as a treatment is not recommended as the change in temperature may cause chronic cycles of flaring and dilation of the vessels in the extremities.

A primary (or familial) form is termed erythermalgia. This occurs in patients who are younger. The disease is very rare. It has been linked to a mutation of the SCN9A (a sodium channel), the gene of which is located on the long arm of the second chromosome (2q24). It inherits in an autosomal dominant fashion.

Many sufferers of erythromelalgia find that spicy foods can also set off a flare-up. For others, a flare-up can be set off if pressure is applied to the extremities like fingers or toes. Erythromelalgia (in a mild form) can be detected by a stiff feeling, swelling, or redness in the limbs.

Raynaud's Disorder is the opposite of erythromelalgia and can occur simultaneously (but on different limbs).

External links

• http://www.erythromelalgia.org/ (Non profit organization)