Symptoms of Dermatomyositis in Men

Dermatomyositis is a common skin inflammation in our body, and it is common for both men and women to suffer from it. In fact, the incidence of this so-called dermatomyositis is also relatively high, so in reality many people have suffered from dermatomyositis or are suffering from dermatomyositis. There are many reasons for a person to suffer from dermatomyositis, and similarly, there are many symptoms of dermatomyositis. So, what are the symptoms of male dermatomyositis?

For male friends, the probability of suffering from dermatomyositis is also very high, because many times, they will suffer from dermatomyositis due to problems with their living environment or their own living habits. The most important thing for male dermatomyositis patients is timely treatment, but in fact, after knowing the symptoms of male dermatomyositis, the hope of cure will increase a lot.

1. Skin symptoms:

(1) Gottron's sign: Another common characteristic lesion is the occurrence of purple-red macules on the extensor surfaces of the elbows, knees, metacarpophalanges and interphalangeal joints. The surface is dry and has bran-like scales, which is called Gottron's sign. Purple-red flat papules covered with fine scales occur on the extensor surfaces of interphalangeal joints. After disappearance, atrophy, capillary dilation and hypopigmentation occur. However, this only occurs in 1/3 of patients and generally occurs in the late stage of the disease.

(2) Periorbital purpura: Also known as heliotropic purpura, the characteristic skin lesion is a purple-red edematous patch centered on the upper eyelid.

(3) Periungual capillary dilatation: Dark red spots and petechiae appear in the nail folds and they become thicker and coarser, which is also of diagnostic value.

(4) Skin lesions in exposed areas: Erythema in the V-shaped area of ​​the upper chest is also common.

(5) Vascular atrophic heterochromia: Chronic cases may cause widespread erythema and papules, with a dry surface and bran-like scales, and may also cause punctate keratosis and patchy pigmentation and loss, mild atrophy, and dilated capillaries, which is called heterochromic dermatomyositis.

2. Muscle symptoms:

Any part of the transverse muscles can be affected, usually symmetrically, with the proximal muscles of the limbs affected first, followed by other muscles. The most commonly affected muscles are the shoulder girdle muscles, proximal muscles of the limbs, neck muscles, and dermatomyositis (periorbital erythema) and throat muscles, with symptoms such as difficulty raising the hands, head, squatting, swallowing, and hoarseness. Involvement of the pharyngeal muscles can lead to tracheal foreign bodies and be fatal.

When respiratory muscles and myocardium are affected, breathing difficulties, palpitations, arrhythmias, and even heart failure may occur. In the acute phase, muscle inflammation and degeneration cause muscle weakness and swelling, and the affected muscles have spontaneous pain and tenderness. Dermatomyositis in children can cause calcium deposits in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, near joints, and in the affected muscles.

3. Amyopathic dermatomyositis: Patients have skin manifestations of dermatomyositis that persist for 2 years without muscle lesions (such as lack of proximal muscle weakness, normal serum aldolase and CK). SLE, contact dermatitis, drug rash, etc. should be excluded during diagnosis.

4. Concomitant dermatomyositis and tumors: Dermatomyositis may be accompanied by malignant tumors, and the incidence of malignant tumors is 5 times higher than that of normal people. The incidence of malignant tumors in patients over 40 years old is about 30% to 50%. Malignant tumors mostly occur in the breast, nasopharynx, lung, gastrointestinal tract, ovary, cervix and prostate. Malignant tumors may occur at the same time as this disease, or later than this disease. In some cases, after the malignant tumors are treated and controlled, the symptoms of dermatomyositis are also improved accordingly.

In summary, there are many symptoms of male dermatomyositis, which you will find from the above introduction. Although there are many symptoms of male dermatomyositis, the common symptoms are: many skin erythema and rashes; difficulty in limb movement, etc. For ordinary people, once they know the symptoms of male dermatomyositis, they will usually seek treatment in time.