Im 24, & i've had EM for around a year now, came on when a great deal of stress was introduced into my life. I only get it in my toes though, they go red when exposed to sunlight, mild exertion, exercise etc. But the strangest thing, i just happened to look into some older photos of me at the beach etc with flip flops of bare feet and my feet are that same bright red in all of them, this is years before the hot, burning feeling started....any thoughts?
Hi - not knowing anything about your history I would ask if you know or think you have primary or secondary EM. I’m not certain about the pathology and progression of EM, but I do know in other neuropathic conditions in which pain develops, it usually develops after a prolonged period of microvascular inflammation / damage accumulation to an area. In most cases the individual isn’t even aware that the damage is progressing until it reaches that “tipping point” and so much damage is done pain becomes profound and often incessant.
Perhaps in your case you have had EM or something for a long period of time but only recently with the very high stress levels etc did you reach that point where it morphed into a full fledged chronic pain situation.
Don’t know if this is applicable in your case but is the first thing that comes to mind for me.
Hope you get some answers!
Linda
I don’t know but would like to say that I notice the same redness on my son’s feet although he has not yetvcomplained about any pain… I’ve been diagnosed for nearly 4 years now and my symptoms vary from moderate to severe every day… That being said I have made it a habit to check other people’s feet (strange I know ) but have found very many people have redness and not all can possibly have EM!! Just saying…look around, you might be surprised by what you see 
Good luck!
I don’t know but would like to say that I notice the same redness on my son’s feet although he has not yetvcomplained about any pain… I’ve been diagnosed for nearly 4 years now and my symptoms vary from moderate to severe every day… That being said I have made it a habit to check other people’s feet (strange I know ) but have found very many people have redness and not all can possibly have EM!! Just saying…look around, you might be surprised by what you see
Good luck!
Dominique, I agree with you on the redness of people's feet thing. Sometimes we dont consider that all the blood that gets to our feet has to go back up again, and it is often harder for the blood to push back up against gravity, and that can potential lead to redness showing up. Also in summer (and other times too I suppose) people go barefoot or wear sandals so might be more prone to sunburn or just plain sun reddened skin.
That said, I know i have had the hot feet / hands thing since I was at least 8. I remember hating to go to the beach as a little kid because of the hot sand and cold water but I never experienced as a kid the severe pain I have now, and the redness and hotness were not always concurrent.
I truly hope your son doesn't have this! Do you know if yours is inherent or acquired?
LInda
I’ve always believed mine to be inherited, however, I was tested last month for the Mutation of the SCN9A gene mutation and test came back inconclusive… Result stated"does not confirm" mutation. This lead the genetic specialist to conclude I "couldn’t oossibly " have EM
Sadly, the symptoms remain and my neurologist disagrees with the genetics doctor conclusion
Back to the drawing board!
Hi Matty, I just saw this post and want to reply. I just discovered that I have EM about 4 months ago. First it was only evident in my hands - now my whole body shows signs. One part is on my chest - a V-shape from the throat on down . This exact same area was bright red and burning like I had a sunburn every spring as soon as I was exposed to the first sunrays. I always called in my *sun-allergy*. After a few weeks in would stop burning and kind of blend in with the suntan that I had developed on the rest of my body. What makes me wonder now is -the skin on this V-shape area that I thought was a sunburn never peeled like it would if it was a real sunburn. So - was that already EM ? EM that just didn't have other flares until now? I actually believe that - but I don't think it makes any difference in finding relief for this horrible disorder. Good luck and a nice weekend
Oh , I forgot to say - I remember having that V-shaped *sunburn* as early as 20 years old - I am now 68