About erythremia

What is erythremia?

Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic disorder involving the overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferation). The overproduction of red blood cells is most dramatic, but the production of white blood cells and platelets are also elevated in most cases. Since red blood cells are overproduced in the marrow, this leads to abnormally high numbers of circulating red blood cells (red blood mass) within the blood. Consequently, the blood thickens and increases in volume, a condition called hyperviscosity. Thickened blood may not flow through smaller blood vessels properly. A variety of symptoms can occur in individuals with polycythemia vera including nonspecific symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, weakness, dizziness or itchy skin; an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly); a variety of gastrointestinal issues; and the risk of blood clot formation, which may prevent blood flow to vital organs. More than 90 percent of individuals with polycythemia vera have a mutation of the JAK2 gene. The exact role that this mutation plays in the development of polycythemia vera is not yet known.

Polycythemia vera was first reported in the medical literature in 1892. The term "myeloproliferative disorder" (MPD) was first used to described polycythemia vera and related disorders in 1951. In 2008, the World Health Organization reclassified MPDs to "myeloproliferative neoplasms" (MPNs) to reflect the consensus that these diseases are blood cancers (neoplasms).

This group of disorders is characterized by the overproduction (proliferation) of one or more of the three main blood cell lines - red or white blood cells or platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets are involved in clotting of the blood in response to injury. Three other disorders are commonly classified as MPNs: chronic myeloid leukemia, essential thrombocythemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis. Because MPNs are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, they may also be classified as blood cancers.

What are the symptoms for erythremia?

Dizziness symptom was found in the erythremia condition

The main symptom is red, painful Bumps on the lower part of your legs. Sometimes these Bumps can also appear on your thighs, arms, torso, and face.

The lumps can be one-half inch up to 4 inches. You may have anywhere from two to 50 of them.

Erythema nodosum Bumps are painful and they may feel hot. They start out red, and then turn purple, looking like bruises as they heal. They also flatten out while healing.

The Bumps can last for two weeks. New Bumps can keep forming for up to six weeks.

Other symptoms of erythema nodosum include:

  • fever
  • fatigue
  • joint pain
  • pain in the legs
  • ankle swelling
  • enlarged lymph nodes in the chest
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • weight loss
  • stomach pain
  • diarrhea

What are the causes for erythremia?

In more than half of all cases the cause is unknown. Erythema nodosum often starts after you’ve had an infection or you’ve used certain medicines. Doctors believe it may be caused by an immune system overreaction to bacteria and other substances you’re exposed to.

Causes include:

  • infections such as strep throat or tuberculosis
  • reactions to drugs such as antibiotics (sulfonamides and forms of penicillin), salicylates, iodides, bromides, and birth control pills
  • sarcoidosis, a condition that causes inflammation in many parts of the body
  • coccidioidomycosis, an infection of the lungs and upper respiratory tract
  • inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
  • pregnancy
  • cancer (rarely)

What are the treatments for erythremia?

If a bacterial infection caused this condition, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it. You can treat erythema nodosum that’s caused by a drug reaction by stopping the medicine.

These medicines can help you manage pain and other symptoms until the lumps heal:

  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) (Don’t use these if you have Crohn’s disease because they could trigger a flare.)
  • potassium iodide
  • oral steroids

Also, rest with your legs elevated and wear compression stockings while the bumps heal. And avoid irritating the bumps by wearing itchy or tight clothing.

What are the risk factors for erythremia?

An abnormal increase in RBC and disbalance in hemoglobin flow in blood results in skin rashes, Clotting, and an enlarged spleen; these disorders are called Erythremia.

This disease can affect the lungs and blood circulatory system severely if the symptoms are left ignored and not treated immediately.

Causes/risk factors:
It is a common rash disease that can increase due to skin friction, acne, and poorly fitting clothes. But the primary causes that give birth to increased demand for oxygen are as follows:

  • Hepatitis B vaccine: Dosage of this vaccine if not suited to the patient, can give rise to skin allergies and rashes.
  • History of Erythema Multiforme: If the patient is not immune to different environments and prone to viral infections, this defect is possible to attack them from time to time.
  • Medicinal Reactions: When patient intakes strong medicines like seizure cure or antibiotic drugs; they are more likely to get such skin reactions.
  • Bacterial Infection: If the patient has earlier issues due to a bacteria attack.
  • Haemoglobin Abnormality: When the flow of blood becomes difficult due to excess oxygen demand and excess red blood cells present, hemoglobin errors occur.
  • Extreme Obesity: With all the fat, the body needs more oxygen resulting in excess production of red blood cells.


All the causes are treatable when the signs are mild and noticeable. But severe cases require effective medical care and attention to control and heal soon before it affects the lungs and oxygen production.

Symptoms
High Temperature,Swollen Lips,Red Eyes,Blurred Vision,Sore Genitals,Generally Feeling Unwell
Conditions
Headache,Sore Eyes,Painful peeing,Raw painful sores inside mouth,Sensitivity to light
Drugs
Acetaminophen,Paracetamol,Hydrocortisone,Amidol,Ultramol,Indamol,Hisone Tab,Hycoson,Locoid Lipo,Primacort,Unicort

Is there a cure/medications for erythremia?

Erythremia is a kind of inflammation in the skin that appears in the fatty layer of the skin. It seems as if painful and tender lumps are often visible in the leg. Erythremia causes inflammation and becomes flat, leaving a mark on the skin. It automatically disappears between three to six weeks. In some cases, chronic erythremia lasts for a year.

  • Erythremia is caused by fungal infections, medications including birth control pills, estrogens, sarcoidosis and inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • Erythremia may also be caused due to normal pregnancy. Other viral and bacterial infections may also cause erythremia.
  • The doctor examines the skin, and a small part of the skin is also sent for biopsy.
  • Later, the doctor decides on the diagnosis based on the examination report.
  • Erythremia can be treated by giving anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone and injection.
  • Sometimes, colchicine is also used to lessen inflammation.
  • Various other drugs can be used to treat patients with erythremia.
  • Treatment is carried out based on the patient's symptoms and conditions.
  • However, it does not affect the internal organs, which reduces the risk factor.
  • By following the doctor's advice properly, you can get recovered soon.


Symptoms
High Temperature,Swollen Lips,Red Eyes,Blurred Vision,Sore Genitals,Generally Feeling Unwell
Conditions
Headache,Sore Eyes,Painful peeing,Raw painful sores inside mouth,Sensitivity to light
Drugs
Acetaminophen,Paracetamol,Hydrocortisone,Amidol,Ultramol,Indamol,Hisone Tab,Hycoson,Locoid Lipo,Primacort,Unicort

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