1Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203 USA
American Journal of Medical Case Reports.
2020,
Vol. 8 No. 6, 153-158
DOI: 10.12691/ajmcr-8-6-5
Copyright © 2020 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Sara Sharif, Lubaina Haider, Latoya Freeman, Isabel M. McFarlane. Primary Erythromelalgia Complicated by Cellulitis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2020; 8(6):153-158. doi: 10.12691/ajmcr-8-6-5.
Correspondence to: Isabel M. McFarlane, Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203 USA. Email:
Isabel.McFarlane@downstate.eduAbstract
Background: Erythromelalgia is a rare disease with increasing incidence. It manifests as episodic painful red extremities triggered by heat. External cooling provides temporary symptomatic relief but may lead to complications such as cellulitis. Management includes trigger control, behavioral therapy and pain management. Case Presentation: A 47-year-old African American male presented to the hospital with worsening bilateral lower extremity pain for three months. It was episodic, triggered by running and associated with erythema and swelling. Patient used cold water immersion and air conditioning for pain relief. One week prior to presentation, he developed painful blisters on his feet. On presentation, vital signs were stable, patient was afebrile. Acute infection was ruled out and he was discharged with outpatient rheumatology follow up for erythromelalgia. He returned one week later with worsening symptoms. CT scan of lower extremities indicated bilateral cellulitis. Patient was managed by medicine, dermatology, rheumatology, and podiatry for cellulitis, fungal infection, trench foot and primary erythromelalgia with antibiotics, antifungals, gabapentinoids and behavioral therapy. His infection resolved and pain improved. He was discharged with outpatient rheumatology follow up. Discussion: Erythromelalgia is a highly debilitating disease with episodes of burning erythematous extremities triggered by increase in skin temperature. Patients seek pain relief by excessive external cooling. Pathophysiology involves gain of function mutation in voltage gated sodium channels causing autoregulatory dysfunction of skin. Underlying disease mechanisms are ambiguous and may involve unidentified genetic components and unknown triggers. It is a clinical diagnosis. Therapy requires a multidisciplinary approach. Complications should be promptly addressed given attention next to symptomatic relief. There is a lack of disease specific treatment and complete remission is unlikely. Our patient responded well to gabapentinoids and behavioral therapy.
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