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Dermatomyositis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Dermatomyositis is a muscle disease that causes inflammation and a skin rash. It is a type of inflammatory myopathy.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's immune system.

Anyone can develop dermatomyositis, but it most commonly occurs in children age 5 to 15 and adults age 40 - 60. Women develop this condition more often than men.

Polymyositis is a similar condition, but the symptoms occur without a skin rash.

• Review Date: 4/12/2007
• Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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