The Case of the Red Extremities

Abstract

Case Presentation: A 37-year-old man with severe obstructive sleep apnea presented to the emergency department with burning pain, redness and swelling in his hands and feet, worsening for several weeks. Pertinent laboratory studies revealed polycythemia. Discussion: Erythromelalgia is a clinical diagnosis characterized by painful burning, erythema, warmth, and edema usually involving the distal extremities. Therapeutic goals are focused on symptom reduction, while also managing the underlying condition in cases of secondary erythromelalgia. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies have proven to be of limited success.