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NUR 101- Ms. Lee Extra Credit The Facts About Scleroderma Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that was first described in the 18th century. The term scleroderma means "hard skin," which describes thickening of the skin from increased deposits of collagen. There are two types of scleroderma. Localized scleroderma affects the skin in limited areas and the musculoskeletal system. Systemic sclerosis causes more widespread skin changes and may be associated with internal organ damage in the lungs, heart and kidneys. It can cause arthritis, slow contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, muscle inflammation, dry eyes and dry mouth. Most people with scleroderma have cold-induced spasms of small blood vessels in their hands or feet, known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes the fingers or toes to turn white or blue and may be painful (http://www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheet/scler.html). Localized Scleroderma is more common in children. It is usually found in only a few places on the skin or in the muscles and rarely, if ever, does localized scleroderma develop into the systemic form of the disease. Systemic Sclerosis may affect the connective tissue in many parts of the body, e.g. the skin, the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs. It may also affect blood vessels, muscles and joints and is life threatening Scleroderma can range from a minor skin lesion to a debilitating and fatal disease. (http://swcybermall.com/scleroderma/about.htm). In most cases, the cause of scleroderma is unknown. However, in a small minority of cases, scleroderma or scleroderma-like illnesses are associated with exposure to certain toxins or as a complication of bone marrow transplants. Scleroderma is not contagious and is rarely inherited. Systemic sclerosis is associated with over-activation of the immune system, which normally functions to protect the body against cancers and invading infections. This causes damage to cells that line small blood vessels, which in turn leads to the over-production of scar tissue (http://www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheet/scler.html). Skin changes include hardening and thickening, ulcers or sores on fingers, loss of hair over affected area, change in skin color, swelling/puffiness in fingers/toes and the skin appears shiny. Usually skin creases disappear, there becomes difficulty in making a fist, and Sclerodactyly (hardness of toes/hands) occurs.
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