If you complain of muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash...
These symptoms may be caused by an inflammatory disease called dermatomyositis.
The condition can affect adults and children. Dermatomyositis affects more females
than males.
There's no cure for dermatomyositis, but periods of symptom improvement can occur. Treatment can help clear the skin rash and help you regain muscle strength and function.
The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown, but the disease has much in common with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body tissues. Genetic and environmental factors also might play a role. Environmental factors could include viral infections, sun exposure, certain medications and smoking.
If your doctor suspects that you have dermatomyositis, he or she might suggest some of the following tests:
- Blood analysis.
- Chest X-ray.
- Electromyography.
- MRI.
- Skin or muscle biopsy.
Treatment
There's no cure for dermatomyositis, but treatment can improve your skin and your muscle strength and function.
In the case of diagnosis, medical therapy is prescribed, the patient is recommended to avoid the sun as much as possible in order to heal the rash.
Physiotherapy is effective for improving muscle function - the level of physical activity is determined by the attending physician.
If the disease has affected the ability to speak and swallow, the doctor will teach you how to communicate, how to eat food safely.
In some clinical cases, surgical intervention is required - surgery can remove painful calcium deposits.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatomyositis/diagnosis-
treatment/drc-20353192
