What are the first signs of scleroderma?

What are the first signs of scleroderma?

Scleroderma Symptoms

• Hardened or thickened skin that looks shiny and smooth. It’s most common on your hands and face.
• Raynaud’s phenomenon.
• Ulcers or sores on your fingertips.
• Small red spots on your face and chest.
• Firm, oval-shaped patches on your skin.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Painful or swollen joints.
• Muscle weakness.

What is the life expectancy of a person with scleroderma?

People who have localized scleroderma may live an uninterrupted life with only minor symptom experiences and management. On the other hand, those diagnosed with an advanced and systemic version of the disease have a prognosis of anywhere from three to 15 years.

How serious is scleroderma?

How serious is scleroderma? Any chronic disease can be serious. The symptoms of scleroderma vary greatly for each person, and the effects of scleroderma can range from very mild to life threatening. The seriousness will depend on the parts of the body, which are affected, and the extent to which they are affected.

What is Morphea scleroderma?

Morphea is a skin condition that causes patches of reddish skin that thicken into firm, oval-shaped areas. It is a form of scleroderma. Patches most often occur on the abdomen, stomach, and back, and sometimes on the face, arms and legs.

Does scleroderma come on suddenly?

skin changes can affect the whole body. other symptoms can include weight loss, fatigue, and joint pain and stiffness. 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 are the stages of scleroderma?

Cutaneous involvement has 3 phases: (1) edematous, (2) indurative, and (3) atrophic. Skin becomes thickened and tight.

What vitamins are good for scleroderma?

Your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin daily that has the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium. These supplements may help reduce some symptoms: Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 to 2 capsules or 1 to 3 tbsp.

Can you live a long life with scleroderma?

In general, patients with limited scleroderma have a normal life expectancy. Some have problems with their GI tract, especially heartburn; severe Raynaud’s and musculoskeletal pain; and a small subset can develop pulmonary hypertension that can be life-threatening.

What foods should be avoided with scleroderma?

Avoid eating two to three hours before bed- time. Avoid foods that may aggra- vate symptoms such as citrus fruits, tomato products, greasy fried foods, coffee, garlic, onions, peppermint, gas-producing foods (such as raw peppers, beans, broccoli or raw onions), spicy foods, carbonated beverages and alcohol.

Does morphea ever go away?

Morphea usually lasts several years and then goes away without treatment. It may leave scars or areas of darkened or discolored skin. Until your condition clears up, you may want to pursue treatment that helps control your signs and symptoms.

Is morphea an autoimmune disease?

Morphea is an autoimmune disease that causes sclerosis, or scarlike, changes to the skin. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system, which normally protects us from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, mistakenly attacks a person’s own body.

What kind of skin disease do you have?

a contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus impetigo bacterial, inflammatory, contagious skin disease characterized by vesicles and pustules (infectious pyoderma) eczema inflammatory skin disease with erythematous papulovesicular lesions ulcer

What does scleroderma stand for in medical terms?

Among them is collagen of the skin. Scleroderma literally means hard skin. Scleroderma is classified as an autoimmune disease. This means that a person’s immune system works against itself. The normal immune system protects the body by fighting off foreign invaders such as viruses and infections.

How does scleroderma affect connective tissue in the body?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune, rheumatic, and chronic disease that affects the body by hardening connective tissue. (“Connective tissue” is widespread.

What causes enlarged blood vessels under the skin?

Blood vessels under the skin may become enlarged and show through the skin, appearing as purplish marks or red spots. This chronic dilation of the small blood vessels is called telangiectasis. Muscle weakness, joint pain and stiffness, and carpal tunnel syndrome are common in scleroderma.