Scleroderma Also called: Circumscribed scleroderma, Dermatosclerosis, Morphea, Systemic sclerosis Summary Scleroderma means hard skin. It is a group of diseases that cause abnormal growth of connective tissue. Connective tissue is the material inside your body that gives your tissues their shape and helps keep them strong. In scleroderma, the tissue gets hard or thick. It can cause swelling or pain in your muscles and joints. Symptoms of scleroderma include Calcium deposits in connective tissues Raynaud’s phenomenon, a narrowing of blood vessels in the hands or feet Swelling of the esophagus, the tube between your throat and stomach Thick, tight skin on your fingers Red spots on your hands and face No one knows what causes scleroderma. It is more common in women. It can be mild or severe. Doctors diagnose scleroderma using your medical history, a physical exam, lab tests, and a skin biopsy. There is no cure, but various treatments can control symptoms and complications. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Tests Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) American College of Rheumatology Encyclopedia Blind loop syndrome Gastroparesis Necrotizing vasculitis Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Scleroderma, Localized National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Scleroderma, Systemic National Institutes of Health Array Collagen vascular disease Scleroderma Swallowing problems Living With Coping with Scleroderma Scleroderma Foundation Eating Well with Scleroderma Scleroderma Foundation Tips for Living with Scleroderma Scleroderma Research Foundation Treatments and Therapies Current Treatments Available for Scleroderma Patients Scleroderma Research Foundation Related Issues Dental Care in Scleroderma Scleroderma Foundation Pulmonary Hypertension in Scleroderma Scleroderma Foundation Risk Factors for Scleroderma Scleroderma Research Foundation Scleroderma and Sexuality Scleroderma Foundation Find an Expert Find a Rheumatologist American College of Rheumatology National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Genetics Genetics Home Reference: systemic scleroderma National Library of Medicine Start Here Handout on Health: Scleroderma National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Scleroderma American Academy of Family Physicians Scleroderma Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Is Scleroderma? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Statistics and Research International Team Identifies Biomarker for Scleroderma National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Novel Insights Into Causes of Scleroderma Offer Potential New Treatment Strategies National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Children Juvenile Scleroderma Scleroderma Foundation Specifics Limited Scleroderma (CREST Syndrome) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Localized Scleroderma Scleroderma Foundation Morphea American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Systemic Sclerosis: Diffuse and Limited Scleroderma Foundation Journal Articles Scleroderma
