Final Up to date March 2021 | This text was created by familydoctor.org editorial workers and reviewed by Deepak S. Patel, MD, FAAFP, FACSM
What’s scleroderma?
Scleroderma causes your physique to provide an excessive amount of collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissues, such because the pores and skin. When you may have an excessive amount of collagen, your pores and skin can stretch, thicken, and harden. It can also trigger harm to inside organs, comparable to the guts, lungs, and kidneys.
Signs of scleroderma
Inside systemic scleroderma, there are 2 types:
What causes scleroderma?
The precise reason for scleroderma is unknown. It happens when your immune system assaults your physique’s tissues and/or organs.
How is scleroderma identified?
Your physician could wish to take away a small pattern of pores and skin (biopsy) to take a look at it beneath a microscope. She or he additionally will carry out a bodily examination and search for adjustments within the look of your pores and skin. She or he additionally could order a blood take a look at to test for antibodies, or different assessments to see if any inside organs have been affected.
Can scleroderma be prevented or averted?
You’ll be able to’t stop or keep away from scleroderma.
Scleroderma remedy
Localized scleroderma generally goes away by itself. If scleroderma has induced inside harm, your physician may match with specialists to deal with your situation. For instance, if scleroderma impacts your coronary heart, your physician will work carefully with a coronary heart specialist (heart specialist).
Residing with scleroderma
You should definitely contact your physician when you’ve got new or worsening signs or well being issues.