Scleroderma
There are two main types of scleroderma:
Localised scleroderma is the mildest form of the condition. It often affects children, but can occur at any age.
This typejust affects the skin, causing one or more hard patches to develop. Internalorgans aren't affected.
Exactly how the skin is affected depends on the type of localised scleroderma.There are two types, called morphoea and linear.
Morphoea:
Linear:
In systemic sclerosis, internal organscan beaffected as well as the skin. This type mostly affects women and usuallydevelops between30 and 50 years of age. Children are rarely affected.
There are two types of systemic sclerosis, calledlimited cutaneous systemic sclerosis anddiffuse systemic sclerosis.
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis:
Diffuse systemic sclerosis:
In some cases of systemic sclerosis, organs such as the heart, lungs or kidneys are affected. This can cause a range of potentially serious problems, such as shortness of breath , high blood pressure and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).
Read about scleroderma, including the different types, symptoms, causes and treatments.
There are two main types of scleroderma: localised scleroderma just affects the skin systemic sclerosis may affect blood circulation and internal organs as well as the skin Localised scleroderma
Normally, the body'simmune system fights off any germs that infect the body. It responds like thisto anything in the body it doesn't recognise, and settles down when the infection has been cleared. I
The aim of treatment is torelieve symptoms, prevent thecondition getting worse, detect and treat any complications (such as pulmonary hypertension ) and help you maintain the use of affected parts of
There are many therapies and lifestyle changes that can help reduce the impact ofscleroderma on your life. Regular physiotherapy and stretching exercises may helpkeep your muscles supple and loosen t
If you have scleroderma, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look for bett