Symptoms of Scleroderma: Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too much collagen. Collagen is the protein that makes up most of the connective tissues in our bodies. The symptoms of scleroderma are varied and can include difficulty swallowing, heart problems, skin issues, fatigue, and pain. It is difficult to diagnose because it does not have a specific set of symptoms that are unique to it. It is often misdiagnosed as other diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Well, to help you understand it more, we are discussing all the symptoms of scleroderma in detail, so keep reading till the end. Also, we would like to let you know about Dr. Bhupendra Vaishnav.
He is one of the best rheumatologists in Jaipur. People can approach him for treatment. Now let’s discuss the symptoms of scleroderma in detail. Let’s have a look!
16 Symptoms of Scleroderma:
In this section, you will come to know about the symptoms of this condition in detail:
1. Swelling of the hands and feet:
Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that causes the skin to harden and thicken, which can lead to swelling in the hands and feet. This condition is most often found in women of childbearing age.
2. Red spots on the skin (Telangiectasia):
Telangiectasia are red, raised spots on the skin and are a symptom of scleroderma. The condition affects the body’s connective tissue, causing a build-up of collagen. This collagen prevents the skin from being able to stretch, which leads to Telangiectasia.
3. Excessive calcium deposition in the skin (calcinosis):
Calcinosis is a condition where calcium deposits form on the skin. The deposits may be seen on any part of the body but are more common in areas that have been damaged by trauma or surgery, such as the head and neck, hands, arms, and lower legs. The hardening may lead to thickened skin and nodules (lumps), which often appear on fingers and toes.
4. Joint contractures (rigidity):
Joint contractures are a symptom of scleroderma and can be present in the form of stiffness, joint pain, and limited range of motion. It is not an isolated disease but rather one that affects many body parts, including skin, the lungs, heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
5. Tight, mask-like facial skin:
Mask-like facial skin is a typical symptom of scleroderma. This leads to difficulty in swallowing and speaking, as well as difficulty in breathing due to the decreased amount of oxygen being delivered to the lungs.
6. Ulcerations on the fingertips and toes:
Ulcerations on the fingertips and toes are a common symptom of scleroderma. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin, blood vessels, lungs, and internal organs. This condition can also cause deformities such as clubbed fingers or shortening of digits.
7. Pain and stiffness in the joints:
The pain and stiffness in the joints is a symptoms of scleroderma. It can affect any joint in the body, but most commonly affects the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, knees, and feet. The swelling of the joints is caused by an increase in collagen production.
8. Persistent cough:
A persistent cough is a symptom of scleroderma, which is a form of connective tissue disease. It is characterized by the presence of a persistent, dry cough without any other symptoms. In most cases, it lasts for more than 3 months and has no known cure. The cause of this symptom remains unknown, but it is believed that the condition could be triggered by an autoimmune response or an infection.
9. Shortness of breath:
Shortness of breath is a symptom of scleroderma. The most common cause of shortness of breath is fibrosis, the thickening and hardening of lung tissue. This can lead to reduced breathing capacity and eventually respiratory failure if not treated properly.
10. Heartburn:
Heartburn is a symptom of Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy tissue. The cause of the symptoms is unknown, but they can be triggered by certain foods and stress. It is a chronic condition that affects the connective tissues in your body. It can also affect blood vessels and organs such as your lungs and kidneys. It’s not contagious, but it can be hereditary.
11. Difficulty swallowing:
Difficulty swallowing is a symptom of scleroderma, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin and connective tissues. It is difficult to swallow, speak, or breathe because the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. Swallowing problems can lead to weight loss from malnutrition and dehydration.
12. Digestive and gastrointestinal problems:
The most common symptom of scleroderma is gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain or diarrhea. The condition is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the connective tissue of the body. It can cause pain, swelling, hardening of the arteries, and organ dysfunction.
13. Constipation:
Constipation is a symptom of scleroderma, which can be caused by the swelling of the digestive tract. This swelling can occur due to inflammation, scarring, or adhesions. There are also other reasons for constipation, such as hormonal changes and medications that may cause constipation.
14. Weight loss:
Weight loss is a symptom of scleroderma. Weight loss can be caused by fluid retention in the body due to thickening of the skin or heart failure due to damage to the heart muscle. It can also cause joint pain and stiffness, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, and endocrine dysfunction.
15. Fatigue:
Fatigue is a common symptom of scleroderma, which is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissues. This could be due to other factors such as depression, overwork, or sleep deprivation. But it can also be a sign of the disease.
16. Hair loss:
Hair loss is one of the most common symptoms of scleroderma. It can also be a sign that something is wrong with your lungs or heart. It may be due to an autoimmune disorder or another type of illness. It’s important to know what your hair looks like when you have Scleroderma because it can change how you feel about yourself and how others see you.
The following are the symptoms of scleroderma one must be aware of. It is important for people to know that they cannot avoid this condition, and it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible.
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FAQ: Symptoms of Scleroderma
Q. 1 Does scleroderma affect the legs?
Ans: Scleroderma affects the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs. It is a chronic autoimmune disease causes the hardening of the skin and connective tissue. It does cause an effect on the legs.
Q. 2 Does scleroderma cause weight gain?
Ans: Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue, including the skin and internal organs. It causes inflammation in the skin and internal organs, which can lead to weight gain as well as other symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue.
Q. 3 How does scleroderma affect the feet?
Ans: Scleroderma can cause pain in different parts of the body, but it is more common to feel pain in the feet due to its size. The disease can also cause numbness and tingling sensations because of nerve damage. The most common symptom is foot pain due to scleroderma which may be worse during cold weather or when standing for long periods of time.
Q. 4 How does scleroderma affect the eyes?
Ans: Scleroderma can cause inflammation, which can lead to pain and swelling around the eye socket that can make it difficult to open your eyes wide enough to see clearly. It can also cause changes in how you see color, contrast, intensity, or movement because of blood vessel damage by scleroderma.
Q. 5 What is the scleroderma skin pinch test?
Ans: The test involves pinching the skin on your inner forearm and checking if it becomes red or stays white after you release your grip on it. If you notice any area of redness or swelling, then make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible – they will be able to determine what type of treatment will work best for you.
