What can mimic scleroderma?
What can mimic scleroderma?
However, similar features of hard and thick skin can be seen in other conditions which are often referred to as “scleroderma mimics”. These mimics include eosinophilic fasciitis, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, scleromyxedema, and scleredema among others.
Is Sclerodactyly the same as scleroderma?
Sclerodactyly is a hardening of the skin of the hand that causes the fingers to curl inward and take on a claw-like shape. It is brought on by a condition called systemic scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis. Systemic scleroderma often affects the hands, causing a tightening or hardening of the skin.
What is the difference between Crest syndrome and scleroderma?
Some people have a type of scleroderma called CREST syndrome (or limited scleroderma). Unlike other types, which only affect the arms, legs, and face, this kind can involve your digestive tract. While less common, it can also lead to problems with your heart and lungs.
Is ANA positive in scleroderma?
Approximately 95% of people with systemic scleroderma have a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, but so do people with other autoimmune diseases (97% of people with lupus, as an example). People with localized scleroderma usually have negative ANA.
What is diffuse scleroderma?
Diffuse scleroderma is a subtype of scleroderma where excess collagen production causes skin thickening over large areas of the body, usually the fingers, hands, arms, anterior trunk, legs and face. There can be significant associated organ damage, including to the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lungs and heart.
Can you have scleroderma without raynauds?
Most people diagnosed with Raynaud’s will not develop scleroderma, which only affects 0.1% of everyone who has Raynaud’s. This is because the majority of people who are living with Raynaud’s will have the primary form, with symptoms of cold hands and feet and painful attacks with changes in temperature.
Can scleroderma go away?
Scleroderma is a chronic skin disease, meaning it doesn’t go away. Your doctor can treat your symptoms and help you feel better, though. The problem is with your immune system, which causes your body to make too much of the protein collagen, an important part of your skin.
Is scleroderma an autoimmune disease?
Scleroderma is just one of many autoimmune diseases. It’s a chronic rheumatic disease that affects the body by hardening connective tissue. With help from the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), we’ve put together some facts and statistics about autoimmune diseases.
How rare is scleroderma?
Scleroderma is relatively rare. About 75,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. have this disease; most are women between the ages of 30 and 50. Twins and family members of those with scleroderma or other autoimmune connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, may have a slightly higher risk of getting scleroderma.
