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Systemic sclerosis
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Systemic sclerosis, also called scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder, meaning one in which the body's own defenses contribute to the damage. It is a disorder of connective tissue, the material that fills the body and binds it together, and it affects the skin and the internal organs.
What defines it is fibrosis: the buildup of scar tissue. And that happens because the body makes too much collagen, the tough protein that normally gives connective tissue strength and support. It is as if a wound that had already closed kept making scar tissue.
It usually starts with episodes of Raynaud phenomenon. And it is classified into several forms: in the limited cutaneous form the fibrosis usually affects only the hands, the arms and the face.
In brief
Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder that affects the skin and the internal organs.
It is marked by a buildup of scar tissue, called fibrosis, from excess production of collagen, the tough protein that normally gives connective tissue strength and support.
It is as if a wound that had already closed kept making scar tissue.
It usually starts with episodes of Raynaud phenomenon, and it is classified into several forms: in the limited cutaneous form the fibrosis usually affects only the hands, arms and face.
Sources (2)
- MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of MedicineSystemic scleroderma, MedlinePlus GeneticsPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingSystemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma), StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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