Disease: Cryoglobulinemia
Symptoms: Symptoms usually come and go, and may include:  Skin lesions. Most people with cryoglobulinemia develop purplish skin lesions on their legs. In some people, leg ulcers also occur. Joint pain. Symptoms resembling rheumatoid arthritis are common in cryoglobulinemia. Peripheral neuropathy. Cryoglobulinemia can damage the nerves at the tips of your fingers and toes, causing numbness and other problems.  Causes Cryoglobulinemia has been associated with:  Infections. Hepatitis C is the most common infection associated with cryoglobulinemia. Others include hepatitis B, HIV, Epstein-Barr, toxoplasmosis and malaria. Certain cancers. Some cancers of the blood, such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can sometimes cause cryoglobulinemia. Autoimmune disorders. Disease such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome increase the risk of developing cryoglobulinemia.  Risk factors Risk factors of cryoglobulinemia may include:  Your sex. Cryoglobulinemia occurs more frequently in women than in men. Age. Symptoms of cryoglobulinemia usually begin in middle age. Other diseases. Cryoglobulinemia is associated with diseases such as hepatitis C, HIV, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome.                   By Mayo Clinic Staff By Mayo Clinic Staff  Cryoglobulinemia care at Mayo Clinic