Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that causes episodes of burning pain and redness in the feet, and sometimes the hands, arms, legs, ears and face. Symptoms of erythromelalgia can begin at any age. Some people may have had it from early childhood, while some are only affected as adults. The 3 main symptoms of
erythromelalgia are heat, pain and redness in the skin. The feet are most commonly affected, but the hands, arms, legs, ears and face can be too. The pain can range from mild, with only a slight tingling feeling like pins and needles, to a severe burning pain, which can be bad enough to make walking, standing, socialising, exercising and sleeping difficult. It can have a
significant impact on work or school life. People with erythromelalgia typically have episodes or "flare-ups" of pain lasting from a few minutes to several days. The flare-ups usually start as an itching sensation, which worsens to pain, and tender mottled, red skin that feels warm or hot to the touch. Other symptoms may include:
Triggers for erythromelalgiaSymptoms of erythromelalgia are usually triggered by an increase in body temperature. This can happen:
Things you can do to ease erythromelalgiaCooling or raising the affected part of your body may help relieve the symptoms of erythromelalgia. You can cool your skin using a fan, cool water, a cool surface or cool gel packs. But avoid using ice or anything that's too cold, and do not soak your hands or feet for a long time in cold water. This can lead to hypothermia or skin damage. And there's also a risk the change in temperature may trigger a flare-up when the affected area warms up again. Treatments for erythromelalgiaMedicines for the skinSome medicines that are applied directly to the skin (topical medicines) have been found to help relieve the symptoms of erythromelalgia. These may be in the form of creams, gels, sprays or patches. You may be prescribed a capsaicin cream or patch to make the heat receptors in your skin less sensitive. A local anaesthetic called lidocaine may also be prescribed in the form of a cream, gel or spray. A GP will be able to give you more information about these medicines and if they're right for you. You can also speak to a pharmacist about lidocaine creams. Medicines taken by mouthA number of different medicines taken by mouth (orally) may help relieve the symptoms of erythromelalgia. You may need to try several different medicines, under the supervision of a doctor, before you find the one or the combination that works best for you. Your treatment options will also depend on the type of erythromelalgia you have. Many treatments require referral to a specialist centre so benefits and potential side effects can be closely monitored. The types of medicine a doctor may prescribe include:
Medicines given through a dripIf oral medicine does not manage to control your symptoms, you may be given medicine directly into the bloodstream through a drip (intravenous infusion). Lidocaine, a local anaesthetic that can help nerve-related pain, can be given this way. But how long it works for varies between people. Your doctor will explain this procedure to you and how you should prepare for it. Causes of erythromelalgiaThe cause of erythromelalgia is usually unknown. But it's sometimes caused by another underlying medical condition or a faulty gene inherited from a parent. Other medical conditionsErythromelalgia sometimes results from an underlying condition, such as:
It may also be caused by certain medicines. Your doctor will be able to give you more information on this. Genetic causeSome people with erythromelalgia have a faulty gene that causes the condition. Erythromelalgia can run in families when the faulty gene is passed down (inherited) from a parent to their child. The faulty gene causes changes in the way pain signals are delivered to the brain, increasing or strengthening them. More information and supportSpecialist centres in the UK
Organisations that provide support
National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration ServiceIf you or your child has erythromelalgia, your clinical team will pass the information on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS). The NCARDRS helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat erythromelalgia. You can opt out of the register at any time. Page last reviewed: 09 October 2020 Why are my hands and feet so hot when I sleep?The body's temperature regulation system redistributes heat from the core to areas such as the hands and feet when you lie down at night. Researchers speculate that to prepare your body for a good night's sleep, it may help to make sure your hands and feet are warm.
What are hot hands and feet a symptom of?High blood pressure
Because increased blood flow to an area of the body can make it feel warm, people with high blood pressure may have warm hands or feet. A simple test can assess whether high blood pressure is a factor.
Why do my hands feel like they are burning at night?A chronic degeneration of the nerve endings, also known as neuropathy can cause a burning sensation to your hands. Commonly, patients with neuropathy, will have an underlying chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, and therefore have a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy of the hands.
Why do my feet and palms burn at night?A feeling that your feet are burning when you are lying in bed at night could be a sign of peripheral neuropathy -- nerve damage. About half of all people with diabetes develop some form of nerve damage when excess glucose injures the walls of the blood vessels that feed the nerves.
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Why do my hands and feet feel hot at night
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