erythromelalgia

English

Erythromelalgia in a 77-year-old woman with longstanding polycythemia vera

Etymology

Ultimately derived from Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós, “red”) + μέλος (mélos, “limb”) + ἄλγος (álgos, “pain”); first used in 1878 by Silas Weir Mitchell to describe a syndrome of red congestion and burning pain in the hands and feet.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˌɹɪθɹəmɛˈlæld͡ʒ(ɪ)ə/

Noun

erythromelalgia (uncountable)

1. A rare neurovascular peripheral pain disorder in which blood vessels, usually in the lower extremities or hands, are episodically blocked, then become hyperemic and inflamed.
   • 2021, Eric Garcia, We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation, Boston: Mariner Books, →ISBN, page 120:

     Brisky, who has short silver hair, now helps with Lydia’s care overnight, which is her worst time because her erythromelalgia flares prevent Lydia from getting up and handling some things herself, and standing and moving aggravates it.

Synonyms

• (former names) Mitchell's disease, acromelalgia, red neuralgia, erythermalgia

Hyponyms

• primary erythromelalgia, idiopathic erythromelalgia
• secondary erythromelalgia