What were your first symptoms of scleroderma?

Early symptoms may include swelling and itchiness. Affected skin can become lighter or darker in color and may look shiny because of the tightness. Some people also experience small red spots, called telangiectasia, on their hands and face.

What were your first signs of scleroderma?

What is the scleroderma skin pinch test?

“In using a skin scoring system, the physician pinches various parts of the patient's body to test for thickness. The less skin that can be pinched equals a higher score in diagnosing scleroderma,” says Feghali-Bostwick.

Does scleroderma come on suddenly?

symptoms come on suddenly and get worse quickly over the first few years, but then the condition normally settles and the skin may gradually improve.

What does scleroderma skin feel like?

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. If you have morphea (more-fee-uh), the most common type of scleroderma, the patches may not feel too hard.

What are the first symptoms of scleroderma?

Where does scleroderma usually start?

The first parts of the body to be affected are usually the fingers, hands, feet and face. In some people, the skin thickening can also involve the forearms, upper arms, chest, abdomen, lower legs and thighs. Early symptoms may include swelling and itchiness.

What does a scleroderma flare feel like?

Common symptoms of scleroderma may include painful joints (arthralgia), morning stiffness, fatigue, and/or weight loss. The intermittent loss (triggered by cold temperatures) of blood supply to the fingers, toes, nose, and/or ears (Raynaud's phenomenon) is an early and frequent complaint of people with scleroderma.

When is scleroderma usually diagnosed?

Age: Most localized types of scleroderma show up before age 40, and systemic types of scleroderma are typically diagnosed between ages 30 and 50.

Does scleroderma affect the feet?

Foot pain and lesion are common in Scleroderma patients, the diffuse subtype of the diseases, foot's Raynaud's, calcinosis, and telangiectasia were independently associated factors with foot lesion.

Can you have scleroderma without Raynaud's?

Most people diagnosed with Raynaud's will not develop scleroderma, which only affects 0.1% of everyone who has Raynaud's. This is because the majority of people who are living with Raynaud's will have the primary form, with symptoms of cold hands and feet and painful attacks with changes in temperature.

How do you rule out scleroderma?

To diagnose scleroderma, a doctor usually begins by asking you about your symptoms, health, and medical history. The doctor will also examine your skin for signs of hardening and thickening. If you have hard, thickened skin, a dermatologist may perform a skin biopsy to help diagnose you.

What can scleroderma be mistaken for?

However, similar features of hard and thick skin can be seen in other conditions which are often referred to as “scleroderma mimics”. These mimics include eosinophilic fasciitis, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, scleromyxedema, and scleredema among others.

Is ANA positive in scleroderma?

Approximately 95% of people with systemic scleroderma have a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, but so do people with other autoimmune diseases (97% of people with lupus, as an example). People with localized scleroderma usually have negative ANA.

Does scleroderma affect the legs?

Limited cutaneous scleroderma comes on gradually and usually affects skin on your fingers, hands, face, lower arms, and legs below the knees. It can also cause problems with your blood vessels and esophagus.

What tests confirm scleroderma?

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is the most important blood test to screen for scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases.

How were you diagnosed with scleroderma?

It is a clinical diagnosis that requires a thorough exam and history by the doctor. The doctor will start by asking questions about symptoms and previous medical history. He or she will also do a physical exam and may order a biopsy to look at a small sample of the affected skin under a microscope.

Does scleroderma affect the nails?

In scleroderma patients, Nail Fold Telangiectasia was the abnormality most frequently seen. The other changes observed were longitudinal ridging, ragged cuticle, Increase of longitudinal curvature, increase in transverse curvature and beaking of the nail, marcrolunula, pseudoclubbing.

How does scleroderma affect the eyes?

Increased risk of glaucoma People that have autoimmune disorders, such as scleroderma, are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Usually, glaucoma involves a buildup of fluid in the eye, which increases pressure. The increase in pressure can lead to damage to the optic nerve.

Does scleroderma cause heel pain?

Foot and heel pain can be down to a variety of different causes. If you have scleroderma, you may have tender problem areas on your feet. For those of you diagnosed with Raynaud's, your feet can be one of the most painful areas; an episode can result in numbness, pain or pins and needles in your feet.

Can Covid trigger scleroderma?

There are several cases described in the medical literature of possible new onset of SLE after COVID-19 infection. This is the first case that describes a possible new onset of SSc. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 may trigger systemic sclerosis.

What labs are abnormal with scleroderma?

Blood tests: Elevated levels of immune factors, known as antinuclear antibodies, are found in 95% of patients with scleroderma. Although these antibodies are also present in other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, testing for them in potential scleroderma patients is helpful in assisting with an accurate diagnosis.

What environmental triggers cause scleroderma?

Environmental factors

Some evidence points to possible environmental triggers of scleroderma. For example, infections by some viruses and long-term exposure to some chemicals, such as pesticides, silica dust, or polyvinyl chloride, are thought to be linked to the disease.

What kind of pain does scleroderma cause?

Pain, stiffness and achiness are common problems in Scleroderma. Almost all people with Scleroderma are familiar with pain due to Raynaud's or finger ulcerations. Many more experience joint, nerve, and muscle pain.

Does scleroderma cause neck pain?

The scleroderma neck sign, as described by Barnett, is a visible and palpable tight band over platysma in the hyperextended neck. A recent survey of 76 patients with scleroderma revealed that more than 90% had the scleroderma neck sign.

Can scleroderma cause night sweats?

Menopause and scleroderma often have psychological symptoms caused by depression and fatigue, resulting in loss of libido or decreased sexual drive. In both menopause and scleroderma, stress increases symptoms of all kinds, including hot flashes and night sweats. This is also true in scleroderma.