Q: I enjoy reading your column and your article discussing Raynaud's disease was of particular interest to me. However, my feet get extremely hot and red. Both plantar fasciitis and peripheral neuropathy were suggested as possibilities. After much frustration, I went to Marshfield Clinic. The doctor did some nerve conduction tests and said it was more likely a problem with blood vessels called erythromelalgia. I am still at a loss as to why I have it and what I can do to treat it. Is that the end of my story or can you tell me more about it and where I might find someone familiar with this very uncomfortable situation?
A: You have a rare problem, that is almost the opposite of Raynaud's, in which the fingers and toes turn color and get painful with exposure to cold. With erythromelalgia, the hands and feet get very red and painful in a warm environment. It is more common in men and usually begins around middle age. The feet are usually more involved than the hands, especially when the feet are hanging down for long periods. Erythromelalgia may be associated with high blood pressure, too many platelets or red cells in the blood, or a side effect of medications like nifedipine (blood pressure medicine).
Although there is no specific treatment, the burning pain may be helped by raising your feet, running cool water or air over them and taking aspirin.
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