BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuDermatomyositisDermatomyositis is a disease that involves muscle inflammation and a skin rash. Polymyositis is a similar inflammatory condition that also involves muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness, and tissue damage but no skin rash. Both are part of a larger group of diseases called myopathies, more specifically inflammatory myopathies.PolymyositisPolymyositis and dermatomyositis are rare inflammatory diseases. These diseases lead to muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness, and tissue damage. T...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's immune system. It may also occur in people who have cancer in the abdomen, lung, or other parts of the body.Anyone can develop this condition. It most often occurs in children age 5 to 15 and adults age 40 to 60. It affects women more often than men. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness Muscle weaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Purple color to the upper eyelids Purple-red skin rash Shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Difficulty swallowingDifficulty swallowingDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The muscle weakness may come on suddenly or develop slowly over weeks or months. You may have trouble raising your arms over your head, getting up from a sitting position, and climbing stairs.The rash may appear on your face, knuckles, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back. Exams and Tests The health care provider will do a physical exam. Tests may include:Bloods test to check levels of muscle enzymes called creatine phosphokinase and aldolase AldolaseAldolase is a protein (called an enzyme) that helps break down certain sugars to produce energy. It is found in high amount in muscle and liver tiss...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests for autoimmune diseases Electrocardiogram (ECG) ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electromyography (EMG) ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Magnetic resonance imagingA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle biopsy Muscle biopsyA muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsy Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Screening tests for cancer Chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung function tests Lung function testsPulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swallowing study Swallowing studyEsophageal manometry is a test to measure how well the esophagus is working.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Myositis specific and associated autoantibodies Treatment The initial treatment is the use of corticosteroid medicines. The dose of medicine is slowly tapered off as muscle strength improves. This takes about 4 to 6 weeks. You may stay on a low dose of a corticosteroid medicine after that.Medicines to suppress the immune system may be used to replace the corticosteroids. These medicines may include azathioprine, methotrexate or mycophenolate.Treatments that may be tried when disease that remains active in spite of these medicines are:Intravenous gamma globulin Biologic medicinesWhen your muscles get stronger, your provider may tell you to slowly cut back on your doses. Many people with this condition must take a medicine called prednisone for the rest of their lives.If a tumor is causing the condition, the muscle weakness and rash may get better when the tumor is removed. Outlook (Prognosis) It is important to be followed by a health care provider when you have dermatomyositis. Severe illness can lead to disability and can sometimes result in death.Symptoms may go away completely in some people, such as children. The condition may be fatal in adults due to:Severe muscle weakness Malnutrition Pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung failureThe major causes of death with this condition are cancer and lung disease.People with lung disease with the anti-MDA-5 antibody have a poor prognosis in spite of current treatment. Possible Complications Complications may include:Lung disease Acute renal failure Acute renal failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer (malignancy) MalignancyThe term malignancy refers to the presence of cancerous cells that have the ability to spread to other sites in the body (metastasize) or to invade n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammation of the heart Inflammation of the heartPericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint painJoint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have muscle weakness or other symptoms of this condition.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Connective tissue diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 17.Greenberg SA. Inflammatory myopathies. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 248.Nagaraju K, Aggarwal R, Lundberg IE. Inflammatory diseases of muscle and other myopathies. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 86.National Organization for Rare Disorders website. Dermatomyositis. rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/dermatomyositis/. Updated May 4, 2018. Accessed February 27, 2025.AllVideoImagesTogDermatomyositis - Gottron papule - illustration Red, thickened, scaly skin over the knuckles (Gottron sign) associated with dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disease of the skin and muscles.Dermatomyositis - Gottron papuleillustrationDermatomyositis - Gottron's papules on the hand - illustration This violet-colored inflammation (erythema) over the knuckles is caused by Dermatomyositis. Other skin conditions produce more redness, while the color of this lesion is violet. There may also be inflammation in the muscle tissue.Dermatomyositis - Gottron's papules on the handillustrationDermatomyositis - heliotrope eyelids - illustration This photograph demonstrates the sign heliotrope eyelids in which the eyelids develop a brown (violaceous - rather than red) color. Heliotrope eyelids and Gottron's papules on the knuckles are characteristic findings in dermatomyositis.Dermatomyositis - heliotrope eyelidsillustrationDermatomyositis on the legs - illustration The appearance of purple (violaceous) plaques on the knees may be associated with dermatomyositis. Typically, most lesions associated with other diseases are red (erythematous).Dermatomyositis on the legsillustrationDermatomyositis - Gottron papule - illustration This is Gottron sign, seen in dermatomyositis (an inflammatory disease of the muscles and skin). Violet-colored inflammation over the knuckles is an important diagnostic finding in dermatomyositis, since other skin conditions produce more redness.Dermatomyositis - Gottron papuleillustrationDermatomyositis - heliotrope rash on the face - illustration Dermatomyositis, a connective tissue disease, typically produces a reddish-purple (violaceous) rash. The rash is named after the tendency of plants to grow toward the sun (heliotropic) and is characteristic of dermatomyositis.Dermatomyositis - heliotrope rash on the faceillustrationDermatomyositis - Gottron papule - illustration Red, thickened, scaly skin over the knuckles (Gottron sign) associated with dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disease of the skin and muscles.Dermatomyositis - Gottron papuleillustrationDermatomyositis - Gottron's papules on the hand - illustration This violet-colored inflammation (erythema) over the knuckles is caused by Dermatomyositis. Other skin conditions produce more redness, while the color of this lesion is violet. There may also be inflammation in the muscle tissue.Dermatomyositis - Gottron's papules on the handillustrationDermatomyositis - heliotrope eyelids - illustration This photograph demonstrates the sign heliotrope eyelids in which the eyelids develop a brown (violaceous - rather than red) color. Heliotrope eyelids and Gottron's papules on the knuckles are characteristic findings in dermatomyositis.Dermatomyositis - heliotrope eyelidsillustrationDermatomyositis on the legs - illustration The appearance of purple (violaceous) plaques on the knees may be associated with dermatomyositis. Typically, most lesions associated with other diseases are red (erythematous).Dermatomyositis on the legsillustrationDermatomyositis - Gottron papule - illustration This is Gottron sign, seen in dermatomyositis (an inflammatory disease of the muscles and skin). Violet-colored inflammation over the knuckles is an important diagnostic finding in dermatomyositis, since other skin conditions produce more redness.Dermatomyositis - Gottron papuleillustrationDermatomyositis - heliotrope rash on the face - illustration Dermatomyositis, a connective tissue disease, typically produces a reddish-purple (violaceous) rash. The rash is named after the tendency of plants to grow toward the sun (heliotropic) and is characteristic of dermatomyositis.Dermatomyositis - heliotrope rash on the faceillustrationRelated Information Rashes(Symptoms)Joint pain(Symptoms)Pericarditis(Condition)Malignancy(Special Topic)Polymyositis - adult(Condition)Acute kidney failure(Condition) Review Date: 1/28/2025 Reviewed By: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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DermatomyositisDermatomyositis is a disease that involves muscle inflammation and a skin rash. Polymyositis is a similar inflammatory condition that also involves muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness, and tissue damage but no skin rash. Both are part of a larger group of diseases called myopathies, more specifically inflammatory myopathies.PolymyositisPolymyositis and dermatomyositis are rare inflammatory diseases. These diseases lead to muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness, and tissue damage. T...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's immune system. It may also occur in people who have cancer in the abdomen, lung, or other parts of the body.Anyone can develop this condition. It most often occurs in children age 5 to 15 and adults age 40 to 60. It affects women more often than men. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness Muscle weaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Purple color to the upper eyelids Purple-red skin rash Shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Difficulty swallowingDifficulty swallowingDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The muscle weakness may come on suddenly or develop slowly over weeks or months. You may have trouble raising your arms over your head, getting up from a sitting position, and climbing stairs.The rash may appear on your face, knuckles, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back. Exams and Tests The health care provider will do a physical exam. Tests may include:Bloods test to check levels of muscle enzymes called creatine phosphokinase and aldolase AldolaseAldolase is a protein (called an enzyme) that helps break down certain sugars to produce energy. It is found in high amount in muscle and liver tiss...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests for autoimmune diseases Electrocardiogram (ECG) ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electromyography (EMG) ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Magnetic resonance imagingA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle biopsy Muscle biopsyA muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsy Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Screening tests for cancer Chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung function tests Lung function testsPulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swallowing study Swallowing studyEsophageal manometry is a test to measure how well the esophagus is working.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Myositis specific and associated autoantibodies Treatment The initial treatment is the use of corticosteroid medicines. The dose of medicine is slowly tapered off as muscle strength improves. This takes about 4 to 6 weeks. You may stay on a low dose of a corticosteroid medicine after that.Medicines to suppress the immune system may be used to replace the corticosteroids. These medicines may include azathioprine, methotrexate or mycophenolate.Treatments that may be tried when disease that remains active in spite of these medicines are:Intravenous gamma globulin Biologic medicinesWhen your muscles get stronger, your provider may tell you to slowly cut back on your doses. Many people with this condition must take a medicine called prednisone for the rest of their lives.If a tumor is causing the condition, the muscle weakness and rash may get better when the tumor is removed. Outlook (Prognosis) It is important to be followed by a health care provider when you have dermatomyositis. Severe illness can lead to disability and can sometimes result in death.Symptoms may go away completely in some people, such as children. The condition may be fatal in adults due to:Severe muscle weakness Malnutrition Pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung failureThe major causes of death with this condition are cancer and lung disease.People with lung disease with the anti-MDA-5 antibody have a poor prognosis in spite of current treatment. Possible Complications Complications may include:Lung disease Acute renal failure Acute renal failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer (malignancy) MalignancyThe term malignancy refers to the presence of cancerous cells that have the ability to spread to other sites in the body (metastasize) or to invade n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammation of the heart Inflammation of the heartPericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint painJoint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have muscle weakness or other symptoms of this condition.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Connective tissue diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 17.Greenberg SA. Inflammatory myopathies. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 248.Nagaraju K, Aggarwal R, Lundberg IE. Inflammatory diseases of muscle and other myopathies. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 86.National Organization for Rare Disorders website. Dermatomyositis. rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/dermatomyositis/. Updated May 4, 2018. Accessed February 27, 2025.
