Sclerodoma

Sclerodoma

A rare problem called Scleroderma is a chronic disease that is known by the excessive

deposit of collagen. It is going to affect at least 300,000 people in the U.S. Scleroderma

is four times as common in women than it is in men. Having progressive systemic

scleroderma is known as systemic sclerosis and it is a common type of disease and can be

fatal.

Scleroderma will mostly affect the skin and it is most known to have hardening skin and

associated scarring. This will give a reddish or scaly appearance. There are blood vessels

that may also tend to be more visible. There is fat and muscle wastage that will weaken

the limbs and affect their appearance when there is a larger area affected. In most of the

serious cases, scleroderma can affect the blood vessels.

It is serious because scleroderma goes between two cases. The most important things to

know are to consider the level of internal attachment that is occurring under the skin and

the total area that is covered by the disease. A person may have only one or two affected

areas or lesions or they may have many larger ones. Many people that suffer from

scleroderma have Raynaud's phenomenon and this is an arthritic vascular symptom that

can affect the fingers and toes. The hands and the feel may have discoloration because of

the cold. Raynaud's phenomenon and systemic scleroderma can be the cause of painful

ulcers on the fingers and toes too. Calcinosis is the deposits of calcium around the joints

and it is common for the sufferers of systemic scleroderma and can often be found near

the elbows, knees or other joints.

There are three major types of scleroderma. They are diffuse, limited and morphea

sometimes called linear. The first type diffuse scleroderma is a systemic disease. It is the

most severe form. It is known by the fast onset a will involve more skin hardening.

Diffuse scleroderma will cause severe internal organ damage to the lungs and

gastrointestinal tract. It is more life threatening.

The second kind, limited scleroderma is known as CREST syndrome. CREST is an

acronym that stands for Calcinosis that is known as Raynaud's Syndrome. Esophageal

dysmotility Sclerodactyly and Telangiectasia are the five major symptoms of limited

scleroderma. CREST is a systemic disease and is much milder. It has a slow process.

The skin hardening is usually just on the face and hands and internal organ process is less

severe. The prognosis is much better for limited scleroderma.

There is no cure for this disease but there is treatment for some of the symptoms. These

treatments will mean drugs that soften the skin and reduce the swelling. Having heat

exposure will also help most of the patients. You need to speak to your doctor about

more information on this case.