Understanding Scleroderma: Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis

Scleroderma, sometimes referred to as systemic sclerosis, is a rare disease resulting in an overproduction of collagen. This excess collagen collects in the body's tissues causing a host of problems. The condition affects more than 300,000 people in the United States. While women are more likely to get the disease, it does affect men too. Diagnosis needs to be made by a physician, but you can look for characteristic symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Examine your skin carefully. Look for signs of thickening and hardening. Also look for shiny skin that results from a lack of elasticity. Some patients notice white lumps under the surface of the skin. These lumps eventually erupt, releasing a chalky white fluid.

• 2

  Look for puffy hands and feet, especially in the morning.

• 3

  Observe how your extremities react to cold weather or air conditioning. Some people with scleroderma report pain, numbness or color changes in the hands when they are exposed to cold or experience emotional stress. This is also known as Raynaud's Phenomenon.

• 4

  Watch for sores or ulcers over your joints such as knuckles, elbows and knees.

• 5

  Check for red spots on the hands, forearms, palms, face and lips. These are known as Telangiectasia, which are dilated superficial blood vessels.

• 6

  Notice if you have heartburn, constipation or diarrhea. People with scleroderma also may have difficulty swallowing or poor absorption of nutrients.