RDS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
November 7th, 2026
Orlando, FL
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Information for Patients
Dermatomyositis
What Is Dermatomyositis?
Dermatomyositis (“dermato” = skin, “myo”= muscle, “it is” = inflammation) is an autoimmune condition that characteristically causes a skin rash and muscle weakness, although some patients have only skin disease, and others, only muscle disease. Weakness is usually noticed mostly in the hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms, and neck, although some patients do not notice any muscle symptoms.
Skin Findings
The skin rashes in dermatomyositis are typically intensely itchy and scaly, but many skin changes can also be seen. Rashes can be localized or can involve a large area, but are often worse in the sun-exposed areas of the body (face, hands, arms, chest, neck, and upper back). For most patients, sun exposure makes their rash worse. The rashes are usually red, sometimes with a purple hue. Sometimes the skin around the fingernails may appear rough and have small blood vessels visible underneath the skin. Other patients may note dryness and cracking of the fingers (known as “mechanic’s hands”).
Some people with dermatomyositis experience prominent redness and scaling of their scalp that is associated with intense itching. Rarely, patients with dermatomyositis (particularly children) may develop hard, white-yellow nodular calcium deposits of the skin and underlying structures (including the muscle), which can cause significant pain, ulceration of the skin, and limitation in movement of the joints.
Complications and Disease Associations
Some people with dermatomyositis may experience the following complications and disease associations:
Cancer
Our older studies suggested that 20-25% of patients may have an associated cancer which can occur before, after, or at the same time as the dermatomyositis. However, as we have learned more about this disease, we understand that some people with dermatomyositis have no elevated risk of cancer and others have a much higher risk. A variety of cancers can be associated with dermatomyositis including those of the lung, ovaries, breast, and colon. There are many factors that help us understand a patient’s risk and guide our evaluation; your doctor can help with this.
Interstitial Lung Disease
Dermatomyositis can affect the lungs and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath or a dry cough. The lungs can sometimes be affected even without patients having any noticeable symptoms, and, in some patients, the lungs may become involved months to years after they initially developed the disease. Patients with dermatomyositis may need to have special tests of their lungs when they are initially diagnosed as well as annually thereafter.
Swallowing Difficulties
Known as dysphagia, swallowing difficulties can occur when dermatomyositis affects the esophagus.
Arthritis:
Patients with dermatomyositis may experience joint pain and swelling.
Heart Abnormalities
Rarely, dermatomyositis can affect the heart muscle and therefore lead to complications such as conduction defects of the heart or an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy).
Treatment
- Protection from UV light
- Stopping implicated medications,
- Control of inflammation with topical and systemic therapies as recommended by a physician.