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.

At what age 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.

How do I know if I have scleroderma?

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. He or she may also order urine, blood and other tests to see if any internal organs have been affected.

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 early scleroderma 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.

Signs and Symptoms of Scleroderma | Johns Hopkins

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.

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 affect the legs?

Linear scleroderma can affect the bones and the muscles. When linear scleroderma appears on the arms or legs, it can cause the child's limb to under develop, causing disability.

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.

What blood test shows scleroderma?

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

How do you get diagnosed with 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.

How does scleroderma affect the bowels?

Large Intestine (Bowel/Colon)

In scleroderma, there is a weakening of the gut muscles and impaired motility. This can lead to constipation. Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent stools.

Does scleroderma affect the feet?

Scleroderma can weaken and “break up” the tissues in the body, causing changes to the cushioning and surfaces of your feet. Many people with systemic sclerosis suffer changes in the pad of the foot, causing them to feel like they are walking on gravel. Nail changes. Patients may undergo many different nail changes.

Can you develop scleroderma later in life?

Although patients who develop scleroderma (SSc) later in life (≥ 65 years) may express the entire clinical spectrum of disease, we hypothesize that patients with late-age onset incur a different risk for specific organ manifestations of disease compared to those with younger-age onset SSc.

Who is at risk for scleroderma?

Middle age, female sex, positive family history and exposure to silica are risk factors for scleroderma. Infectious agents, alcohol and cigarette smoking are not risk factors for scleroderma development.

How fast can scleroderma progress?

In general, without treatment, the skin thickening will reach its peak within 1-2 years after it starts and will then begin to loosen.

Can you have scleroderma without skin tightening?

It is possible to have systemic sclerosis without skin thickening (sine scleroderma), which is when there are internal organ manifestations without skin findings, but this is very rare.

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.

What is the difference between Raynaud's and scleroderma?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that involves the skin, joints, circulation, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lungs and heart. Patients with Raynaud's disease may experience cool/painful fingers or toes due to excessive constriction of blood vessels from cold exposure or stress.

Does scleroderma cause weight gain?

Acute localized scleroderma (morphea) can present as severe generalized oedema with rapid weight gain and oliguria.

Does scleroderma affect hair?

Skin signs of scleroderma may include: Fingers or toes that turn blue or white in response to cold temperatures (Raynaud phenomenon) Stiffness and tightness of skin of fingers, hands, forearm, and face. Hair loss.

What is localized scleroderma?

Localized scleroderma is characterized by thickening of the skin from excessive collagen deposits. Collagen is a protein normally present in our skin that provides structural support. However, when too much collagen is made, the skin becomes stiff and hard.

Is scleroderma worse at night?

Nerves become trapped due to swelling, causing pain and numbness in the affected area, often worsening at night and disturbing sleep.

Does scleroderma make your bones hurt?

Pain or stiffness in the joints or muscles

Systemic sclerosis can cause the tissues around joints to stiffen, which can reduce the range of movement of joints. It can also cause pain and swelling around affected joints.

Can scleroderma affect the hips?

Around 65% of people with scleroderma have problems with their joints or muscles at some stage. Symptoms can affect big joints like knees, elbows or hips, or smaller joints, like the ones in your fingers and toes. Symptoms can include: Tight skin or swollen joints.