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Symptoms of Scleroderma

Symptoms of scleroderma include:

Raynaud’s phenomenon :
- Changes in skin color of the fingertips, toes, and nose in response to cold or emotional stress
- Skin usually turns very white when first exposed to cold, then blue, then very red
- May be accompanied by pain, tingling, numbness
Sores or ulcers on the fingers
Changes in the skin, as areas of affected skin lose hair and become:
- Stiff
- Hard
- Thick
- Shiny
- Darker or lighter with darker spots (the so-called salt and pepper appearance)
Skin over face may become so tight that it’s hard to change expression (face appears “mask-like”)
Fingers and toes become swollen or puffy
Whitish bumps of calcium deposits develop under the skin (calcinosis)
Tiny purplish-red blood vessels appear under the skin (telangiectasias)
Skin creases diminish or disappear
Arthritis (joint aches and stiffness)
Muscle pain and weakness
Dry eyes and mouth (called Sjögren’s syndrome )
Digestive problems:
- Heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Poor absorption of nutrients, weight loss
- Liver blockage, jaundice (yellowish appearance to the whites of the eyes and the skin)
Problems due to lung, heart, and kidney involvement:
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure

References:

Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 8th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2005.

Ferri F ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2011 . 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2010.

Firestein ED et al. Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine . 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology . 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2004.

Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine . 15th ed. McGraw Hill; 2001.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/ .

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000.

Rakel R. Textbook of Family Medicine 2007. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.

Rakel RE, Bope ET. Conn's Current Therapy . 60th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.

Scleroderma Foundation website. Available at: http://www.scleroderma.org/ .

Last reviewed December 2011 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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