How To Spot Fabry Disease

Fabry disease is a genetic disease that tends to run in families. There are many different symptoms, such as specific rashes and pain in the feet and hands. Individuals with Fabry disease experience a buildup of a certain kind of fatty substance, which narrows the blood vessels. This narrowing hurts your nervous system, brain, heart, kidneys, and skin. The disease typically begins during childhood, and it tends to affect men more commonly than women. Treatments can alleviate day-to-day symptoms, and familial support is also key. Individuals with Fabry disease lack an enzyme referred to as alpha-galactosidase A, which is necessary to break down fatty products like fatty acids, waxes, and oils. Get to know the ways to spot Fabry disease now.

Dark Red Spots On The Skin

If you have Fabry disease, you might experience dark red spots on the skin. In most cases, the dark red spots will be found between a person's belly button and their knees. Many other diseases can cause dark red spots to appear on an individual's skin, though. Many different rashes and allergic reactions present as dark red bumps. Typically, red bumps alone won't be enough to indicate an individual has Fabry disease. However, paired with other characteristic symptoms, this rash can be indicative of the disease. Because Fabry disease is made up of so many common and seemingly unrelated symptoms, it often takes a long time for an individual to be diagnosed. A great deal of patients do not receive a diagnosis until years after their first symptoms appear. Often, they've been to many different doctors and even been misdiagnosed. For individuals who have any family history of Fabry disease, genetic testing for the disease may be the best option for diagnosis.

Reveal the next sign of Fabry disease now.