Thank you for mentioning dermatomyositis Dr. Diana. I just did a lot of research and looked at a lot of pics and it could definitely be a fit. My other hand is starting to act up now. Usually the left one is the worst. Here are some better pictures of my scaly skin. Interesting… When the skin turns red and painful, that is when my heart starts pounding REALLY hard all over my body, my veins distend into ‘crazy veins’, I am SOB or shallow respiration, weak and cannot function. Any thoughts? The hardening of the skin seems to be progressing rather quickly. Should I be concerned?