Disease: Limited scleroderma

Overview

Limited scleroderma, also known as CREST syndrome, is one subtype of scleroderma — a condition whose name means "hardened skin."

The skin changes associated with limited scleroderma typically occur only in the lower arms and legs, below the elbows and knees, and sometimes affect the face and neck. Limited scleroderma can also affect your digestive tract, heart, lungs or kidneys.

The problems caused by limited scleroderma may be minor. Sometimes, however, the disease affects the lungs or heart, with potentially serious results. Limited scleroderma has no known cure. Treatments focus on managing symptoms, preventing serious complications and improving quality of life.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

While some varieties of scleroderma occur rapidly, signs and symptoms of limited scleroderma usually develop gradually. They include:

  • Tight, hardened skin. In limited scleroderma, skin changes typically affect only the lower arms and legs, including fingers and toes, and sometimes the face and neck. Skin can look shiny from being pulled taut over underlying bone. It may become difficult to bend your fingers or to open your mouth.
  • Raynaud's phenomena. This condition occurs when small blood vessels in your fingers and toes spasm in response to cold or emotional stress, blocking the flow of blood. In most people, the skin turns white before becoming blue, cold and numb.

    When circulation improves, the skin usually reddens and might throb or tingle. Raynaud's phenomena is often the first sign of limited scleroderma, but many people who have Raynaud's never develop scleroderma.

  • Red spots or lines on skin. The swelling of tiny blood vessels near the skin's surface cause these small red spots or lines (telangiectasias). Not painful, they occur primarily on the hands and face.
  • Bumps under the skin. Limited scleroderma can cause tiny calcium deposits (calcinosis) to develop under your skin, mainly on your elbows, knees and fingers. You can see and feel these deposits, which sometimes are tender or become infected.
  • Swallowing difficulties. Limited scleroderma commonly causes problems with the tube that connects the mouth and stomach (esophagus). Poor functioning of the muscles in the upper and lower esophagus can make swallowing difficult and allow stomach acids to back up into the esophagus, leading to heartburn, inflammation and scarring of esophageal tissues.

When to see a doctor

Early detection of limited scleroderma can help prevent serious complications. See your doctor if you have any indications of the condition.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

The cause isn't known, but limited scleroderma is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, in which your immune system turns against your body. The immune system appears to stimulate the production of too much collagen, a key component of connective tissue. This overproduction of collagen builds up in the skin and internal organs so that they don't function normally.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

Like other unusual and complex autoimmune disorders, limited scleroderma can be difficult to diagnose. Signs and symptoms vary widely and often resemble those of other diseases.

The diagnosis of limited scleroderma is generally made based on your signs and symptoms. During the physical exam, your doctor will look for changes in the texture, color and appearance of your skin. Tests that might aid in the diagnosis include:

  • Lab tests. A sample of your blood can be tested for antibodies that are frequently found in the blood of people with limited scleroderma. But this isn't a definitive test because not everyone with limited scleroderma has these antibodies.
  • Skin biopsy. Sometimes doctors take a small sample of skin that's examined under a microscope in a laboratory. Although biopsies can be helpful, they can't definitively diagnose limited scleroderma.

Your doctor might recommend additional tests to identify lung, heart, kidney or gastrointestinal complications.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

The visible signs of limited scleroderma — tight, thick skin on your fingers, hands and face — can change your appearance; make everyday tasks, such as opening a jar or shaving, more difficult; and affect your speech. But the most serious complications tend to occur beneath your skin.

  • Gastrointestinal problems. Changes in the functioning of esophageal muscles can cause difficulty swallowing and chronic heartburn. When limited scleroderma affects your intestine, it can cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating after meals, unintended weight loss and malnutrition.
  • Ulcers on fingers and toes. Severe Raynaud's phenomena can obstruct blood flow to your fingers and toes, causing ulcers that can be difficult to heal. Also, abnormal or narrowed blood vessels combined with severe Raynaud's phenomena can lead to gangrene of fingers or toes, which might require amputation.
  • Lung damage. Limited scleroderma can cause a variety of problems with your lungs. In some cases, excess collagen collects in the tissue between the lungs' air sacs, making the lung tissue stiffer and less able to work properly.

    Increased blood pressure in the arteries between your heart and lungs makes the heart work harder and eventually weakens it.

  • Heart problems. Scarring of heart tissue can lead to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and, in rare cases, to an inflamed heart muscle (myocarditis).
  • Kidney problems. Although kidney damage is more common in other forms of scleroderma, it can occur in limited scleroderma. The first indication might be high blood pressure. Restricted blood flow to the kidneys can result in renal crises, which, if untreated, can lead to kidney failure.
  • Dental problems. Severe tightening of facial skin can make it difficult to open your mouth wide enough to brush your teeth. Acid reflux can destroy tooth enamel, and changes in gum tissue may cause your teeth to become loose or even fall out.
  • Dry eyes and mouth. Limited scleroderma can cause very dry eyes and mouth.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Alternative medicine

To help boost blood flow to extremities, you might try biofeedback, a technique that teaches you to control certain body responses. Relaxation exercises or medication also may be helpful.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Lifestyle and home remedies

Keep warm

To reduce Raynaud's symptoms, wear gloves or mittens outdoors when the weather is cool and indoors when you reach into the freezer. To maintain your body's core temperature when it's cool, dress in layers, and wear a hat or scarf, thermal socks, and well-fitting boots or shoes that don't cut off your circulation.

Don't smoke

If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, making Raynaud's phenomena worse. Smoking also worsens heartburn.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help you maintain your flexibility and strength. Ask your doctor or physical or occupational therapist what activities are right for you.

Change eating habits

If you have difficulty swallowing, choose soft, moist foods and chew them well. To minimize acid reflux:

  • Eat small, frequent meals
  • Avoid spicy or fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol
  • Don't exercise immediately before or after eating
  • Elevate the head of your bed using blocks
  • Remain upright for two or three hours after a meal and don't eat before bedtime

Protect your skin

Excess collagen destroys sweat and oil glands, leaving your skin stiff and dry. To help soften your skin:

  • Avoid harsh soaps and detergents. Choose cleansing creams or gentle skin cleansers and bath or shower gels with added moisturizers. Wear rubber gloves when doing the dishes or cleaning.
  • Bathe less often. Bathe every other day, and take brief baths and showers, using warm rather than hot water. Be gentle when washing your skin.
  • Moisturize. Apply a rich, oil-based, fragrance-free moisturizer after washing your hands or bathing, while your skin is still damp. Apply moisturizer to you skin throughout the day when your skin feels dry.
  • Use sunscreen. To prevent further damage to your skin, apply sunscreen before you go outside.
  • Use a humidifier. This will increase moisture in your home.

Practice good oral hygiene

Have regular checkups and use special rinses or toothpastes if your dentist recommends them. If your mouth is chronically dry, try drinking more water and sucking on ice chips or hard, sugarless candy. If these measures fail, your dentist might prescribe medication to stimulate the flow of saliva.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Coping and support

Because limited scleroderma can affect your appearance and your ability to perform simple tasks, your self-esteem can suffer. Depression and anxiety are common in people with the condition.

Talking with a counselor might help you cope with the changes caused by this disease. Communicating with people who have the same illness, either through online or in-person support groups, also can be helpful.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

  • Your sex. Women are far more likely to develop limited scleroderma than men are.
  • Age. Limited scleroderma is more common between the ages of 30 and 50.
  • Race. In the United States, limited scleroderma tends to be more severe in blacks and Native Americans than in whites.
  • Genetic factors. If someone in your family has an autoimmune disease — such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or Hashimoto's disease — you have an increased risk of developing limited scleroderma.
  • Exposure to toxins. Certain toxic substances — such as polyvinyl chloride, benzene, silica and trichloroethylene — might trigger scleroderma in people with a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Define Common Diseases

Welcome to WebHealthNetwork, here you can find information, definitaions and treatement options for most common diseases, sicknesses, illnesses and medical conditions. Find what diseases you have quick and now.