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Scleroderma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

CREST syndrome; Progressive systemic sclerosis; Systemic sclerosis

Symptoms:

• Blanching , blueness, or redness of fingers and toes in response to heat and cold ( Raynaud's phenomenon )
• Pain, stiffness, and swelling of fingers and joints
• Skin thickening and shiny hands and forearm
• Skin is hard
• Tight and mask-like facial skin
• Ulcerations on fingertips or toes
• Esophageal reflux or heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Bloating after meals
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Shortness of breath

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Wrist pain
• Wheezing
• Skin, abnormally dark or light
• Joint pain
• Hair loss
• Eye burning, itching, and discharge

Signs and tests:

Examination of the skin may show tightness, thickening, and hardening.

Tests may include:

• ESR
• Rheumatoid factor
• Antinuclear antibody
• Urinalysis
• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary function studies
• Skin biopsy

• Review Date: 4/26/2007
• Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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