Red Burning Feet or Hands: Erythromelgia
 

Hello All,

If anyone out there has painful (often characterized as a burning pain), red, warm feet or hands; and if cooling and elevation relieve that pain, you may have a condition called Erythromelalgia.

The diagnosis is clinical, that is, there is no blood test for the disorder. Talk to your MD (I am NOT an MD, and you will need an MD to diagnose and treat this disorder).

but... Good news folks- it can most often be treated. Do a search under "The Erythromelalgia Association". Your MD can access free medical jounal articles at that site.

I was (unfortunately) practically the poster-child for this disorder. This was due to the fact that I have three major tissue destroying disorders (MS, CIDP {a type of Neuropathy} and Sjogrens). When ever tissue is destroyed in the body, Erythromelalgia can develop.

It's symptoms can range from rosey feet or hands with an uncomfortable sensation of warmth in the extremity all the way to bright red extremities that feel like they are on fire.

I had a rough time with this in the late 1990's, but there are many treatments available today.

Best wishes,

Cal

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

Please do tell us what works for you.

Treating Erythromelalgia (Red Burning Extremities)
 

I had a much more severe case of Erythromelalgia than most people, but the danger is that the red, burning hands and feet will gradually get worse over time, which happened with me.

Medical journal articles indicate that the best bet is to make sure to treat the underlying problem- such as the MS, or treating the Arthritis, etc.

What worked for me was:

1) Neurontin in large doses to treat the burning pain. This is probably the most significant drug to treat Erythromelalgia.

2) Diltiazem, which is a calcuim channel blocker.

3) Intervenous Immune Globulin (to treat my CIDP based neuropathy).

4) Magnesium in large doses. (The diareah that accompanies the ingestion of Magnesium can be averted with the use of acidophollis products.) Note that this magnesium treatment was later the subject of a Medical Journal Article. That study indicated that Magnesium was successfull in the useful in treating Erythromelalgia.

The Erythrmelalgia Association (TEA) has a good sized library of literature on treating this disorder which is available for free to their members. TEA is a non-profit organization. The membership fee is tax deductible.

Treatments that work are variable based on the individual's own condition.

In general, Neurontin, followed by the anti-depressant Zoloft or Effexor seem to have the most likely chance of improving the person affected by the condition of the person, and will often provide the sufferer with near remission or better.

Best wishes,

Karl

Early Warning Sign Of ERYTHROMELALGIA- Pulling covers off feet at night
 

Just a note on the Erythromelalgia (EM).

The first warning sign of Erythromelalgia is that your feet get so hot and painful that you need to pull the covers off your feet at night. These hot feet are often preceded by cold feet... that was what happened with me.


I have heard that over and over from the 2000+ people with EM that I have talked or written to over the last 16 years.

Best wishes,

Cal

Magnesium in lotion/cream form may be easier to tolerate.

There are several types now, and some of us use it this way now.

Highly concentrated magnesium baths are even better in my experience. I read about a marathon runner who tried one, and he said his recovery time was much quicker.

When I felt so exhausted as if I'd run a marathon, I tried it, too, I was stunned by the speed and energy value!

This was 4 heaping tablespoons of Ancient Minerals, which I guess is 2-3 oz, for 30 mins. I haven't tried Epsom salts, but they may be just as good.

P.S. When the bath temperature isn't toasty, the Mg doesn't seem to absorb so well. The extra heat can really open up the pores?

Magnesium... Thanks-
 

Thanks for this information. Magnesium if pretty harmless, so I am going to try this. I have the magnesium spray, and also I have the desire to try out the 'isolation tanks' that use a very high saline solution to allow the body to float.

I use magnesium lotion which really helps relieve burning. Would you tell us more about the spray? Is it OTC or do you need an RX? If it's OTC what brand is it? Thanx for your help.

Wow, Karl Thanks!
 

Karl, thanks a bunch! I have TEA bookmarked but really have not used them.

I too have what would be be described by Erythromelalgia. In both feet, I have aches, burning, and redness (and hot) on the tops.

Yes, that has worked for me. It has taken away much of the pain. Most significant is the redness does not appear much.

This sounds interesting, but since my BP runs low, do you think they would let me try this?

There's a new are for me to research. Thanks.

I have tried Chelated Magnesium, but maybe not enough, or long enough. By large does, what do you mean?


I am a member, but did not know there was a library. How do you get to that?


Wow, did not know about that treatment option. Thanks!

magnesuim lotion or spray
 

I have neuropathy and erythemelgia....would be interested in knowing where you got the magnesium lotion.\ or spray..thanks

Magnesium lotion/spray
 

Hi I work in a pharmacy in New Zealand and we sell both otc so I'm going to get some and try it. I've taken magnesium capsules before and vitamin b2 and b6 but didn't notice a difference. I'll try the magnesium again though as it is a vital mineral.
It's going into summer here so I have a flare up everyday, mainly with my feet and this then causes the rest of me to feel overheated and sweaty. It's revolting. We have to wear closed in shoes at work that don't help! Once summer is really here I need the fan going on my feet all night so I can sleep. My husband is generally wrapped up in blankets and duvet by the time we get up but he never complains. He said when he gets into bed beside me he can feel the heat radiate off me. Hence I am a hear source for our cats which makes me over heat. I'm sure if I put my feet in a basin of water the water would boil. My hands are usually in semi flare up but they don't make life as miserable as my feet do. Is this a hereditary thing? My sister and three cousins have it as well. I've had this now for about 20years so I'm starting to know no difference. If I stand bare feet on our wooden kitchen floor it's hot so everyone knows where I've been lol

Hi Angel 14

Nice to see another NZer here. ( : although the reason for being here is not so good. My feet sound pretty much like yours. I've been mildly dreading the coming summer.

Are you referring to a Magnesium lotion? Would most chemists have it? And I was unsure what the second thing you were referring to was. Have you ever tried wet socks. I saw it mentioned on another website. Especially at night. Wet ankle high socks, towel in bed and can often sleep because the burning goes right down.

And I would please! In the U.K. I don't pay for my treatment and my PN is crippling me. The pain keeps me awake all night so I tend to rest in the afternoon. At 84+ my life is a bit miserable so any help or advice on this so and so condition would be very welcome. Edmunduk.

Look on your local Amazon pages first. There are many creams and lotions with magnesium in them, now.

Our favorite for a while here was just discontinued by Morton company. I bought ahead 3 bottles when we discovered this, so I am set for a while.

Here is one example I found at Amazon UK
Ancient 237ml Minerals Magnesium Oil: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

You can also soak in epsom salt baths, made from lukewarm water. Some magnesium gets thru the skin this way.
I have also made concentrated magnesium water, (when on vacation) for my knees. Dissolved epsom salts in a small tub and soaked a cotton cloth in it and put over the knees. I refreshed this as the water evaporated several times over about an hour. (this was outside on a boat dock). If you use a bath tub --about 6 ounces of the epsom salt is enough for most people.
Use 2 ounces in a small dish pan if only doing the feet.