Scleroderma is an uncommon skin condition that results in hard, thickened areas of the skin and sometimes the internal organs and blood vessels.

Symptoms of scleroderma vary depending where on your body you are affected, the mildest form of the condition affects only the skin. It can appear as discoloured oval patches, hard straight lines, or wide areas that cover the trunk or limbs of the body. Skin will become hard, tight, and can appear shiny. Movement of the area may be restricted as a result.

The earliest sign of scleroderma is Raynaud’s disease, which is when your fingers or toes turn blue or feel numb in cold temperatures, due to the contraction of the small blood vessels in your fingers and toes. People without scleroderma may have Raynaud’s disease.

Scleroderma can cause problems with the digestive system if your digestive tract is affected. You might experience heartburn or problems swallowing. If your intestines are affected, you could experience cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation. It can also affect how your body absorbs nutrients from food.

Scleroderma in the heart, kidneys and lungs can affect the function of the organs. If left untreated, complications can become life-threatening.

It is thought Scleroderma is caused by problems with the immune system, it becomes overactive and causes your body to produce more collagen. The result is scarring and thickening of the tissue.

In some cases of scleroderma on the skin will go away on its own within a few years. However, the type of scleroderma that affects the organs usually worsens over time. There is no medication that can cure scerloderma, but a variety of medications can help control the symptoms it produces and prevent further complications. Steroid pills or creams may help reduce swelling and joint pain, loosen stiff skin and slow the development of new skin changes. Blood pressure medications that dilate the blood vessels, may help lung and kidney problems and may also help treat Raynaud’s disease.

Drug that suppress the immune system (typically taken after organ transplants) may also hep reduce the symptoms of scleroderma. Oral medications to reduce stomach acid can help relieve heartburn and digestive medications can aid the relief of bloating, diarrhea and constipation.

Over the counter pain medication can help relieve pain, but you may have to ask your doctor for something stronger if they don’t help enough.