Scleroderma: Expert care for your skin and body

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease — a condition caused when your immune system attacks your body’s healthy tissue. Because scleroderma can affect your joints, bones, muscles and connective tissue, it is also considered a rheumatic condition.

To diagnose scleroderma, your doctor will conduct a physical exam. In addition to looking for hardening of your skin, your doctor will check for symptoms including:

•  Acid reflux

•  Chronic cough

•  Difficulty swallowing

•  Dry mouth

•  Fatigue

•  Joint pain or stiffness

•  Sensitivity to cold

•  Shortness of breath

•  Skin rashes

•  Skin ulcers

•  Swollen blood vessels

•  Tightness in your fingers

•  Unexplained weight loss

Your doctor also might order blood or imaging tests. In some cases, your doctor could take a skin sample.

Medications to treat scleroderma include:

•  Immunosuppressive drugs (to reduce the immune response)

•  Calcium channel blockers (to relax blood vessels)

•  Steroids (to reduce inflammation)

Physical therapy can also help improve your muscle strength and joint function.

Managing scleroderma requires a team approach. Our rheumatologists work with doctors across UW Health to treat the effects of severe scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases.