Scleroderma is a disease of the connective tissue characterized by thickened skin, scarring of skin and other areas of the body (fibrosis), blood vessel problems, inflammation, and pain.
Signs and symptoms of scleroderma can vary in intensity and affect many different body parts. These can include
- joint pain,
- rashes,
- swollen blood vessels in the skin,
- ulcers,
- acid reflux,
- chronic cough,
- difficulty swallowing,
- heartburn,
- dry mouth,
- fatigue,
- headache,
- joint stiffness,
- Raynaud's phenomenon (changes in blood flow to the fingers),
- sensitivity to cold,
- shortness of breath,
- tight and hardened fingers (sclerodactyly), or
- weight loss.
Cause of scleroderma
An autoimmune reaction associated with an overactive immune system causes scleroderma. Doctors do not understand the exact reason for the autoimmune reaction.
Other scleroderma symptoms and signs
- Acid Reflux
- Chronic Cough
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Dry Mouth
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Joint Pain
- Joint Stiffness
- Rashes
- Raynaud's Phenomenon (Changes in Blood Flow to the Fingers)
- Sensitivity to Cold
- Shortness of Breath
- Swollen Blood Vessels in the Skin
- Tight and Hardened Fingers (Sclerodactyly)
- Ulcers
- Weight Loss
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 12/18/2019
Main Article on Scleroderma Symptoms and Signs
SLIDESHOW
Rosacea, Acne, Shingles, Covid-19 Rashes: Common Adult Skin Diseases See SlideshowExamples of Medications for Scleroderma Symptoms and Signs
- azathioprine (Azasan)
- bosentan - oral, Tracleer
- Cipro, Cipro XR (ciprofloxacin) Antibiotic Side Effects
- colchicine (Colcrys)
- cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Tiazac, Cartia XT, Diltzac, Dilt-CD, and several oth)
- erythromycin (Ery-Tab, PCE)
- esomeprazole (Nexium)
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Prozac Weekly)
- lansoprazole (Heartburn Relief 24 Hour, Heartburn Treatment 24 Hour, Prevacid 24)
- lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil, Qbrelis) ACE Inhibitor
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
- metronidazole (Flagyl, Flagyl ER) Antibiotic
- nicardipine, Cardene, Cardene SR
- nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat, Afeditab)
- nitroglycerin, Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, Minitran, Deponit, Nitrol
- omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
- penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)
- prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rayos) Corticosteroid
- tadalafil, Cialis, Adcirca
- tetracycline (Sumycin)
- Viagra (sildenafil)
