Symptoms:

• Bone pain or tenderness
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Numbness or tingling in one or both hands
  • Pain in one or both hands
  • Weakness in one or both hands
• Muscle weakness
• Tenderness and swelling of the arms and legs (occasionally including joints)
• Thickened skin with puckered appearance

Signs and tests:

Tests that may be done include:

• Gamma globulins (a type of immune system cell)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• MRI
• Muscle biopsy
• Skin biopsy

Treatment:

Treatment with corticosteroids and other immune-suppressing medications relieves symptoms, especially when started early in the disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also help relieve symptoms.

If blood diseases develop, they are treated based on their type.

Expectations (prognosis):

In most cases, the condition goes away within 3 to 5 years. However, symptoms may return (recur) or persist. The outlook is much worse if blood diseases occur.

Complications:

Arthritis is a rare complication of eosinophilic fasciitis. Some patients may develop very serious blood disorders or blood-related cancers, such as aplastic anemia or leukemia.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have symptoms of this disorder.

Prevention:

There is no known prevention.