Limited Cutaneous Scleroderma

What Is Limited Cutaneous Scleroderma?

About

A condition causing skin fibrosis in certain parts of the body.

Women are four times more likely to have limited cutaneous scleroderma as compared to men [1].
- Can be treated by a medical professional
- Lab testing or imagine usually required
- Long term - can take up to months or years in some cases

It is a skin condition that affects mostly hands, feet, forearms, and face. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it leads to overproduction of collagen. It can also be caused due to overexposure to certain chemicals, like silica, solvents, and hydrocarbons. The condition begins with something known as Raynaud’s Phenomenon and further progression can lead to visceral (in the internal organs) diseases, or even pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Ages affected: adults, aged between 30-50 years: most often

Symptoms

Symptoms may include the formation of thickened skin patches in limited parts of the body.

People may experience:
Affected areas: arms (below the elbow), legs (below knee), feet, or face
Also common: patchy loss of skin color or coloration, acid reflux, dysphagia or poor swallowing, tenderness, or ulceration

Treatment

Self-care: keeping away from the above-mentioned chemicals can help to some extent. Take extra precautions in terms of regular checkups, especially if there is a family history of scleroderma involved.

Medication: in case of Raynaud’s phenomenon, tests can be performed. Doses of corticosteroids with immunosuppressive agents may be prescribed for progressive lung fibrosis. In the case of pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary vasodilators may be given.

Specialist: for medical attention, consult a dermatologist, rheumatologist, or immunologist. At mfine, you can contact specialists that cater to an array of health issues.