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Dec 18, 2023 · Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces too much collagen. This affects the skin by causing it to be tight and shiny and can also affect internal organs, causing significant organ dysfunction. Most often, scleroderma is seen on the arms, legs, and face but can occur anywhere.
- Skin
- Fingers and Toes
- Digestive System
- Heart, Lungs, and Kidneys
It is very commonTrusted Sourceto experience hardening and tightening of patches of your skin with SS. The patches may be oval-shaped or a straight line that can cover large areas of your skin. Your skin may also appear shinysince it’s so tight with your movement restricted.
Raynaud’s phenomenon results from limited cutaneous systemic scleroderma. Here, you will see small blood vessels in your fingers and toes start to constrict, or shrink, in response to cold temperatures or certain emotions. As a result, your fingers and toes may become painful, turn blue, or go numb.
SS affects all or some parts of your digestive tract. If the esophagus is involved, you may experience heartburn or swallowing difficulty. Your intestines may also be affected. In that case, you may experience: 1. cramps 2. bloating 3. diarrhea 4. constipation In your intestines, your body absorbs the nutrients it needs to function. So if your musc...
SS may affect other organs, including your heart, lungs, and kidneys. When the disease process reaches this point, it may become life threatening without early treatment. Scleroderma renal crisis is a rare but severe complication of SS that remains a significant risk factor for the life threatening progression of the disease. However, a 2016 study ...
Overview. Scleroderma makes patches of your skin and other tissue thicker than they should be. What is scleroderma? Scleroderma is a rare condition that makes your body produce tissue that’s thicker than it should be. Scleroderma usually affects your skin, but can cause symptoms in any tissue throughout your body.
The following images let you see some of the ways it can affect your skin. Hard, thickening, or tight skin. This trait is what gives scleroderma its name. Some people develop 1 or 2 patches of hard, thick skin. Others have widespread patches on their body. The hard, thick skin can feel anchored in place.
What causes scleroderma? Researchers are looking into what actually causes scleroderma. We do know that this group of rare diseases is: NOT contagious. NOT a type of cancer. NOT an infection. We also know that a person develops scleroderma when the body makes too much collagen. This excess collagen is what causes the skin to thicken and harden.
Share. Overview. Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the thickening and hardening of the skin. Some forms of the disease also affect the blood vessels, muscles, bones, and other internal organs. There are two broad categories of scleroderma.
