Systemic Scleroderma

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is scleroderma? " пїЅ Scleroderma means "hard skin. " пїЅ It is the medical term for a group of conditions that affect the skin and tissues that support the organs inside the body, called "connective tissue. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

There are 2 main types of scleroderma. "Localized " пїЅ scleroderma affects the skin and tissue just under the skin. "Systemic " пїЅ scleroderma can affect the skin and organs inside the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the digestive system. The digestive system includes all the structures and organs that handle and process food, such as the stomach and intestines. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of systemic scleroderma? " пїЅ The most common symptoms of systemic scleroderma include: пїЅ пїЅ

A condition called "Raynaud phenomenon, " пїЅ which causes the fingers and toes to turn white or purple-blue in response to cold or stress
Puffy skin that slowly becomes hard and thicker than normal
Joints that become stiff, because the skin around them isnt able to stretch as well as it used to
Small white lumps in or under the skin on the fingers - These are called "skin deposits. " пїЅ They contain calcium and might also be called "calcinosis. " пїЅ

Less common symptoms that can happen when other organs are affected include: пїЅ пїЅ

Acid reflux - This is when the acid that is normally in your stomach backs up into your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.
Trouble swallowing
Diarrhea
Shortness of breath

Will I need tests? " пїЅ Maybe. Your doctor or nurse might be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. But you might need tests, including: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
Skin biopsy " пїЅ For this test, a doctor takes a small sample of your skin. Another doctor then looks at the skin cells under a microscope to check for signs of scleroderma.

How is systemic scleroderma treated? " пїЅ Treatments for systemic sclerosis include: пїЅ пїЅ

Tests every few weeks or months to check your blood pressure and check how well your kidneys and lungs are working
Prescription medicines to treat symptoms in different parts of the body
Surgery to remove calcinosis

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. You can use special creams with "lanolin " пїЅ (a greasy substance found in wool) to help keep your skin moist. If itching is a problem, you can take over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (sample brand name: Benadryl). пїЅ пїЅ

What if I want to get pregnant? " пїЅ If you have scleroderma, you might have a harder time getting pregnant than women without the disease. You also might be more likely to have a miscarriage. (Miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends before a woman has been pregnant for 20 weeks.) пїЅ пїЅ

During pregnancy, some of your symptoms (such as Raynaud phenomenon) might get better. But other symptoms (such as heartburn) might get worse. If you have kidney problems caused by scleroderma, pregnancy can be very dangerous and even life threatening. пїЅ пїЅ

What will my life be like? " пїЅ Because scleroderma affects the way you look and, in some cases, your ability to do everyday things, the disease can cause stress and worry. Your doctor can refer you to a counselor or a local scleroderma support group for advice on coping with the condition. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83677 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Systemic Scleroderma

The Basics

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