What are the sign and symptom by scleroderma?

Scleroderma affects the skin, and in serious, life-threatening cases it affects the blood vessels and internal organs. The most evident symptom is the hardening of the skin.There is discoloration of the hands and feet in response to cold. The seriousness of the disease depends on which organs .If the heart, lungs, or kidneys are affected, the disease is generally fatal.

What causes scleroderma?

The exact cause or causes of scleroderma are still unknown, but scientists and medical investigators in a wide variety of fields are working hard to make those determinations. It is known that scleroderma involves overproduction of collagen.

Who develops scleroderma, and when?

There are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who have scleroderma, about one third of whom have the systemic form of scleroderma. Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis is difficult and there may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases as well.

Localized scleroderma is more frequent in children, whereas systemic scleroderma is more frequent in adults. Generally female patients outnumber male patients about four to one, and the average age at diagnosis is in the forties.

Factors other than sex, such as race and ethnic background, may influence the risk of getting scleroderma, the age of onset, and the pattern or severity of internal organ participation. Although scleroderma is not directly inherited, some scientists feel there is a slight tendency to it in families with a history of rheumatic diseases.

However, scleroderma can develop and is found in every age group from infants to the elderly, but its onset is most frequent between the ages of 25 to 55. When doctors say "usually" or "for the most part," the reader should understand that variations frequently occur. Many patients get alarmed when they read medical information that seems to contradict their own experiences; there are many exceptions to the rules in scleroderma, perhaps more than in other diseases. Each case is different, and information should be discussed with your own doctor.