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Scleroderma

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a group of diseases that involve the production of too much collagen. Collagen is a substance found in connective tissues, which support your skin and internal organs.

The two main types of scleroderma are localized (meaning that it affects only certain parts of the body) and systemic (meaning that it can affect the entire body).

• Localized scleroderma makes parts of the skin hard and tight. Localized scleroderma may get better or go away without help. But it can be severe in some people and damage the skin.
• Systemic scleroderma affects the skin, blood, and internal organs (including the intestines, lungs, heart, and kidneys).

Scleroderma may be caused by a problem in the body's defense system, called the immune system. In scleroderma, the immune system is thought to stimulate cells that make collagen.

Scleroderma is more common in women. Localized scleroderma is more common in people of European descent than in African Americans. But systemic scleroderma is more common in African Americans than in people of European descent.

There is no cure for scleroderma. But treatments can reduce symptoms and damage.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Handout on Health: Scleroderma - This booklet describes the different forms of scleroderma and provides information on their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, including what patients can do to help manage their disease and the problems associated with it.

   http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp

2. Living With Scleroderma (Copyright © Scleroderma Research Foundation) - This publication gives tips for coping with the common symptoms of scleroderma: Raynaud’s phenomenon, skin ulcers, stiff and painful joints, and skin, dental, and gastrointestinal problems.

   http://www.srfcure.org/srf/patients/living.htm

3.   Localized Scleroderma (Copyright © Scleroderma Foundation) - This pamphlet provides information on the characterization of localized scleroderma, the prognosis, treatments, and possible complications.

   http://www.scleroderma.org/pdf/Medical_Brochures/Localized.pdf

4.   Pulmonary Hypertension in Scleroderma (Copyright © Scleroderma Foundation) - This publication discusses the types of pulmonary hypertension that occur in patients with scleroderma.

   http://www.scleroderma.org/pdf/Medical_Brochures/Pulmonary.pdf

5. Raynaud's Phenomenon (Copyright © Arthritis Foundation) - This fact sheet provides a definition of Raynaud's Phenomenon, as well as the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.

   http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/raynauds.asp

6. Scleroderma (Copyright © Arthritis Foundation) - This fact sheet offers detailed information on scleroderma. It describes the symptoms, causes and treatment options. It also provides resources and suggestions about the disease.

   http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/scleroderma.asp

7. Treatment Information (Copyright © Scleroderma Research Foundation) - This publication explains the different methods that are used to treat the symptoms of scleroderma.

   http://www.srfcure.org/srf/patients/treatment.htm

8. What is Scleroderma? (Copyright © Scleroderma Foundation) - This brochure offers detailed information on scleroderma. It explains the causes and symptoms of this disease.

   http://www.scleroderma.org/medical/overview.shtm

9. Your Medications: A Guide to Better Understanding (Copyright © Scleroderma Foundation) - This on-line publication provides a chart of various medications typically used to treat scleroderma. It also informs readers on the mechanism of how they work, and the principle side effects often associated with its use.

   http://www.scleroderma.org/medical/medication.shtm

Organizations

1. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
2. American College of Rheumatology
3. Scleroderma Foundation
4. Scleroderma Research Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.