Dermatomyositis

Fingers, including on the backs of the finger joints and around the finger nailsElbows and kneesUpper eyelidsNeck, upper chest, or upper backScalp Is there a test for dermatomyositis? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor or nurse will order one or more of the following tests: пїЅ пїЅ

simple>

Is there a test for dermatomyositis? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor or nurse will order one or more of the following tests: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
Electromyography, or "EMG " пїЅ " пїЅ This test shows whether your muscles are responding to the nerves ' electrical signals in the correct way.
Muscle biopsy " пїЅ For this test, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue from a muscle that is weak. Then another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope.
Skin biopsy " пїЅ For this test, the doctor takes a small sample of skin from your skin rash. Then another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope.
An imaging test called an MRI scan " пїЅ Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

How is dermatomyositis treated? " пїЅ Treatment for DM involves different parts. пїЅ пїЅ

The main treatment for DM includes medicines called steroids. Steroids help reduce inflammation. These steroids are different from the ones athletes take to build muscle. пїЅ пїЅ

People with DM usually need to take steroids for a long time. But steroids have side effects of their own. They can make your bones weak and increase your chances of getting an infection. To avoid these side effects as much as possible, your doctor will slowly lower (or "taper " пїЅ) your dose over time. пїЅ пїЅ

If you can't take steroids, the steroids don't help enough, or your symptoms come back, your doctor can treat you with other medicines. These include medicines that calm your immune (infection-fighting) system. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor will also give you medicines to help your skin symptoms and itching. Some of these medicines go on the skin. Others come as a pill. пїЅ пїЅ

Other treatment for DM involves keeping your body as strong as possible and preventing further problems. This usually includes: пїЅ пїЅ

Working with a physical therapist (exercise expert) to learn exercises to strengthen your muscles
Avoiding sunlight by wearing sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants
Changing what and how you eat, if you have trouble swallowing or choke easily on your food
Taking medicines to prevent side effects from the steroids

What if I want to get pregnant? " пїЅ If you want to get pregnant, talk with your doctor or nurse. He or she will work with you to get your DM under control before you get pregnant. Plus, he or she will make sure your medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. пїЅ пїЅ

What will my life be like? " пїЅ It depends on your individual situation. Some people with DM have only mild symptoms. But many people have more bothersome symptoms that last years. пїЅ пїЅ

DM can also cause other types of long-term medical problems. These include lung and heart problems, and a higher chance of getting cancer. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 82977 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Dermatomyositis

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

Copyright