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Scleroderma

Scleroderma means hard skin. Scleroderma is really a symptom of a group of diseases. The body seems to attack itself by making too much of a protein called collagen. Collagen is a tough fibrous protein that makes up connective tissue. Connective tissue helps to make up tendons, bones, and ligaments. Collagen is also in scar tissue. When there is too much collagen, the skin gets thick and hard. Besides the skin, the digestive tract, heart, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, and muscles may be affected.

Scleroderma is a rare disease. There are two types of scleroderma, localized and systemic. Localized scleroderma is the milder form involving the skin and sometimes the muscles under the skin. Systemic scleroderma can affect the whole body, including the organs.

Anyone can have this disease, but women are much more likely than men to get it. It usually starts between the ages of 35 and 55. The cause of scleroderma is not known. It seems that genes may be involved, but it cannot be passed down from family members. Some experts think the environment, hormones, or a virus may trigger the response in people with an abnormal immune system.

Most of the time, scleroderma starts with the skin of the hands. It may be swollen, tight, and shiny. The skin can become dark in color. Later it will become hard. Other symptoms depend on the part of the body involved. Most people have Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's causes a person to be very sensitive to the cold. The hands and feet go from white to blue to red when in the cold. Some of the other symptoms might include:

• pain and stiffness of the joints
• trouble with digestion
• dry eyes and mouth
• mouth, face, or dental problems
• kidney, heart, and lung problems
• weakness or feeling very tired and
• weight loss

Because the symptoms of scleroderma can vary so much, it may be very hard for the healthcare provider to make the diagnosis. Often the person may have seen many other specialists before being diagnosed and it may take several years. There is no cure for this disease.

There is no one treatment to make people who have this disease feel better. The treatment will vary depending on the symptoms

Scleroderma is a chronic disease that lasts many months to years. Often it starts with active inflammation that may continue for several years. If it goes into remission, it usually does not become active again. However, the skin or organ damage that was done earlier is still there and may cause problems. Often the disease starts very slowly and is always mild. Other times, it may go very fast.

Scleroderma can not be prevented. There are things a person with this disease can do to help control it. They include:

• stay as active as possible with regular exercise or physical therapy
• avoid getting tired
• avoid cold and air conditioning
• avoid smoking
• use heat therapy for joints that are stiff
• avoid finger sticks for blood tests
• drink plenty of liquids with meals and
• use lotions, ointments, and bath oils to prevent skin dryness and cracking

A rheumatologist usually directs the care of a person with this disease. Many other specialists may be involved, depending on the symptoms. However, the person with the disease is the one who has to take the medicine regularly and follow the provider's advice. Any new symptoms need to be reported right away. It is important to learn as much as possible about this disease and to have a support network of family and friends. Learning helpful coping skills like meditation, calming exercises, and relaxation techniques is also helpful to cope with this disease.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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