Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
In addition to classic skin changes, people with dermatomyositis usually develop gradual muscle weakness in the muscles closest to the body (e.g., shoulders and thighs). This can cause difficulties with getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, lifting things, and combing or brushing your hair.
Gottron papules are red or violet-colored bumps that occur on the top part of the hand, specifically the knuckles (called metacarpophalangeal joints) and the joints of your fingers (called interphalangeal joints).
Sometimes the rash—which causes an itchy or burning sensation and worsens when exposed to sunlight—extends onto the skin in between the joints.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
In many instances, these reddish/violet bumps and patches also have a subtle overlying scale.
Similar to Gottron papules, red or violet-colored patches may develop on the outside surfaces of other joints, like the back of the elbow, front of the knee, or outside part of the ankle.
Technically speaking, these rashes are called Gottronsignsand not Gottron papules, because the rash is flat and not bumpy.
Gottron papules are essentially diagnostic for a disease of muscle inflammation called dermatomyositis.
The skin changes present in dermatomyositis (notably, Gottron’s papules) may occur before or while the muscle weakness develops.
In a subset of people with dermatomyositis (at least 20%), Gottron papules and other skin changes develop, but muscle problems never occur.
Experts have not teased out a precise cause behind dermatomyositis. They suspect that this disease occurs as a result of many factors coming together. For example, scientists have found that certain gene mutations (when the DNA sequence of a gene is changed) are associated with the development of dermatomyositis.
Immune system problems and environmental factors—such as sunlight exposure, viral infections, certain medications, and smoking—have also been linked to this disease.
For example, besides Gottron papules, a key skin finding seen in patients with dermatomyositis is the heliotrope rash, which is a violet-colored rash located on the upper eyelids and sometimes the cheeks and nose. Eyelid swelling often accompanies this rash.
Other skin changes seen in dermatomyositis include:
Besides a thorough skin examination, a skinbiopsymay be performed (albeit rarely). This is because Gottron’s papules can mimic other skin conditions, such aspsoriasisorlichen planus.
Finally, since Gottron’s papules are a key indicator of dermatomyositis, other tests used to diagnose and evaluate this muscle disease are often performed.
These tests may include:
The treatment of Gottron’s papules entails taking a strong anti-inflammatory medication called a steroid (e.g., prednisone).
Since steroids can cause numerous harmful side effects, healthcare providers will aim to treat patients with the lowest dose for the shortest period of time possible.
In addition, to minimize the use of steroids, medications (called steroid-sparing agents) such as methotrexate or Cellcept (mycophenolic acid), are often given at the start of treatment.
If a patient only has skin changes associated with dermatomyositis and no muscle symptoms, steroid-sparing agents alone are recommended.
A Word From Verywell
Gottron papules are a rare finding—so if you are concerned you have this skin change, please be sure to make an appointment with your healthcare provider, preferably a dermatologist. They can sort out your diagnosis and get you started on the right treatment plan.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Malik A, Hayat G, Kalia JS, Guzman MA.Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: Clinical approach and management.Front Neurol. 2016;7:64. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00064DeWane ME, Waldman R, Lu K.Dermatomyositis: Clinical features and pathogenesis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105Ricceri F, Prignano F.Gottron papules: A pathognomonic sign of dermatomyositis.CMAJ. 2013;185(2):148. doi:10.1503/cmaj.111791Waldman R, DeWane ME, Lu J.Dermatomyositis: Diagnosis and treatment.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Malik A, Hayat G, Kalia JS, Guzman MA.Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: Clinical approach and management.Front Neurol. 2016;7:64. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00064DeWane ME, Waldman R, Lu K.Dermatomyositis: Clinical features and pathogenesis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105Ricceri F, Prignano F.Gottron papules: A pathognomonic sign of dermatomyositis.CMAJ. 2013;185(2):148. doi:10.1503/cmaj.111791Waldman R, DeWane ME, Lu J.Dermatomyositis: Diagnosis and treatment.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Malik A, Hayat G, Kalia JS, Guzman MA.Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: Clinical approach and management.Front Neurol. 2016;7:64. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00064DeWane ME, Waldman R, Lu K.Dermatomyositis: Clinical features and pathogenesis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105Ricceri F, Prignano F.Gottron papules: A pathognomonic sign of dermatomyositis.CMAJ. 2013;185(2):148. doi:10.1503/cmaj.111791Waldman R, DeWane ME, Lu J.Dermatomyositis: Diagnosis and treatment.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105
Malik A, Hayat G, Kalia JS, Guzman MA.Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: Clinical approach and management.Front Neurol. 2016;7:64. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00064
DeWane ME, Waldman R, Lu K.Dermatomyositis: Clinical features and pathogenesis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105
Ricceri F, Prignano F.Gottron papules: A pathognomonic sign of dermatomyositis.CMAJ. 2013;185(2):148. doi:10.1503/cmaj.111791
Waldman R, DeWane ME, Lu J.Dermatomyositis: Diagnosis and treatment.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.105
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