What are the causes of dermatomyositis?

The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown, but the disease has much in common with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body tissues. Genetic and environmental factors also might play a role.

What does dermatomyositis look like?

In dermatomyositis, a distinctive reddish or purplish rash, presumably due to inflammation of surface blood vessels, may occur over the face, neck and chest; on the shoulders and upper back, resembling a shawl; and/or on the elbows, knees and ankles. The eyelids may appear as if eye shadow has been applied.

What does dermatomyositis look like on skin?

The rash looks patchy, dark, and reddish or purple. It is most often found on the eyelids, cheeks, nose, back, upper chest, elbows, knees, and knuckles. While the rash of dermatomyositis may be the first sign of the disease, those with darker skin may not notice the rash as readily.

What does polymyositis pain feel like?

muscle weakness. aching or painful muscles and feeling very tired. finding it hard to sit up, or stand after a fall. swallowing problems, or finding it hard to hold your head up.

What causes heliotrope rash?

What is heliotrope rash? Heliotrope rash is caused by dermatomyositis (DM), a rare connective tissue disease. People with this disease have a violet or bluish-purple rash that develops on areas of the skin. They can also experience muscle weakness, fever, and joint aches.

Does dermatomyositis affect eyes?

Heliotrope eyelid eruptions are considered a hallmark of DM affecting the eye. Other ocular manifestations of DM include conjunctival edema, nystagmus, extraocular muscle weakness, iritis, cotton wool spots, optic atrophy, and conjunctival pseudopolyposis. Retinopathy is also a rare presentation.

What is the meaning of heliotrope?

Definition of heliotrope. 1 : any of a genus (Heliotropium) of herbs or shrubs of the borage family — compare garden heliotrope.

What is the scientific name of Heliotropium?

any hairy plant belonging to the genus Heliotropium, of the borage family, as H. arborescens, cultivated for its small, fragrant purple flowers. any of various other plants, as the valerian or the winter heliotrope.

What does a heliotrope flower look like?

‘The lush, fragrant flowers of the heliotrope range from dark violet to white in color.’ ‘A member of the borage family, common heliotrope is one of about 250 Heliotropium species, but it is the only one widely grown in gardens.’

What does Helio mean in Greek?

Helios was the god of the sun in Greek mythology, and helio- came to appear in a number of sun-related English words. The genus known as the heliotropes consists of about 250 species; many are thought of as weeds, but the best-known species, garden heliotrope, is a popular and fragrant perennial that resembles the forget-me-not.