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Health Library Home>Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets>Article

Scleroderma

(Systemic Sclerosis)

How to Say It: Sclare-oh-DER-mah

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
En Español (Spanish Version)
More InDepth Information on This Condition
Definition
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention

Definition

Scleroderma is a disease that affects the whole body. It can cause the skin, joints, and internal organs to thicken and stiffen.

There are two main types:

  • Localized scleroderma affects the skin (most common)
  • Systemic scleroderma can affect many body parts or systems

Causes

The exact cause is not known. It may be due to genetics, the environment, or a problem with how the immune system works.

Risk Factors

This health problem is more common in women. It often starts between 20 and 50 years of age.

The risk of this problem is raised in people who have other family members with lupus.

Symptoms

Symptoms differ from person to person and by type of scleroderma.

A person with the localized type may have:

  • Patches of thick, hard skin that are oval in shape
  • Lines of thickened skin on the arms, legs, or face

A person with the systemic type may have:

  • Numbness, discomfort, or a change in skin color in the fingers and toes
  • Tight, thickened, or shiny skin
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhea or problems passing stool
Raynaud Phenomenon Symptom
Low blood flwo to fingers, vasoconstriction

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.

These tests may also be done:

  • Blood tests to look for antibodies linked to scleroderma
  • A skin biopsy

Images may be taken of structures in your body. This can be done with:

  • X-ray
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • Echocardiogram

Treatment

There is no cure. The goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms a person is having. Choices are:

  • Medicines to:
    • Ease pain and swelling
    • Treat skin changes
    • Widen blood vessels
    • Suppress the immune system
    • Reduce stomach acid
  • Physical therapy to help with strength and flexibility
  • Occupational therapy to learn how to do day to day activities
  • Phototherapy to thin out the skin

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to prevent this health problem.

RESOURCES:

Scleroderma Foundation
http://www.scleroderma.org

Scleroderma Research Foundation
http://www.srfcure.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Arthritis Society
http://www.arthritis.ca

Scleroderma Canada
http://www.scleroderma.ca

REFERENCES:

Denton CP. Advances in pathogenesis and treatment of systemic sclerosis. Clin Med (Lond). 2015 Dec;15 Suppl 6:s58-63.

Localized scleroderma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/localized-scleroderma. Accessed December 1, 2020.

Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/scleroderma. Accessed December 1, 2020.

Systemic sclerosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/systemic-sclerosis. Accessed December 1, 2020.

What is scleroderma? Scleroderma Foundation website. Available at: http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageNavigator/patients_whatis.html#.Wy58BVVKhxA. Accessed December 1, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD  Last Updated: 12/1/2020

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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