Yeah, I get sores like that too. My dermotologist biopsied one of them and that's how he came up with the pernio diagnosis. I'll be interested to hear what he says about EM or whether he's even heard of it.
Do you folks who have EM see dermatologists or some kind of vascular specialist?
The bandaid on my toe in the pic is from my biiosy! He too said chilblains and to keep them warm and I told him I couldnât because they were on fire! This was done months before my first episode with Raynaudsâs or pernio. Whatever EM does shows the same result as Chliblains in biopsy apparently.
Some people are treated by dermatologists , neurologist , vascular specialist, general practioner , pain specialist aand like myself Rheumatologist. This condition doesnât fit in any one specialty so it comes down to either the underlying condition or just anyone familiar with this or at the very least willing to learn about it and treat you.
Gotcha. My dermatologist has other patients with pernio, so he was able to identify it almost immediately. Before him, I had seen other doctors for months who just shrugged their shoulders.
I just got this idea and checked the time stamp on my photo. This was taken on August 6th. In the middle of summer. This alone should make them reconsider chilblains as a diagnosis. Who gets chilblains in the middle of summer? This was also before I had ever used cooling tactics because I was still unaware of this being EM.
Unfortunately there isnât a test for EM. There are some thermography tests that can be done in some specialty hospitals but it just shows what should be obvious anyway and thatâs the raise in skin temperature. This test just confirms what can be felt by touch aand isnât required for diagnosis. Itâs usually diagnosed by ruling out any other condition that can cause similar symptoms and when you are left with EM itâs probably EM.
I agree with Alina, that photo does look more typical of an EM flare. But again , we cant diagnose you , just give our thoughts on what you inform us and photographic evidence.
Here are those flare /livido articles I told you about. Added one on blood pressure and EM , too.Maybe they'll be helpful. Hope you having a comfortable weekend.
God bless x
85-LividoandEMplusphotos.pdf (613 KB)Ruth, I am new to the site and just saw your post about chilblains. I do not know what that is but am going to look it up and see. I can only share my course with you. Your remark about Vit d deficiency was very interesting to me. I have had it for years and it seems no matter how much I take I do not get any higher then the low normal range. I also have worked nights for years and been totally heat intolerant, and have a history of melanoma so staying out of the sun was a life style choice. Even though I do not work now I am still more comfortable on the sleep by day and play by night schedule. I feet best when is it cold outside, dark and rainy days do not change how my feet feel. Wearing shoes and socks is almost intolerable so I wear crocs with air holes in the tops. I am on amylodopidine for my BP and I have not noticed how I feel in response to it being higher or lower, but I will start tracking that now. Good call. I perspire Profusely like a fountain when I am in temperatures above 70 or in stressful situations. My hands are so slick and shiney that it is hard to use my IPAD. Because I am so intolerant of heat any kind of exercise causes me into a significant flash. I just came back from Burbank, CA a week ago. I was staying there because my son and daughter in law were getting ready to have a baby. They only have window air conditioners which could not cool it down enough for me and I was miserable. What was suppose to be the happiest days of my life, being part of such an awesome family event was torture. Everyday I wanted to go home to my home with central air conditioning and get out of the intolerable heat. I am finding we all have different stories and I know mine did not help you to prove your theory. I am so very sorry for your change in life style and the depression that followed. It was good talking to you. Wishing you a positive moment in a hard day.