Scleroderma, a group of chronic autoimmune disorders, is relatively rare, affecting roughly 300,000 Americans, according to the website of the International Scleroderma Network. The disorders target the skin and connective tissue and may be localized, affecting only the skin and underlying tissue, or systemic, in which case the damage can spread to internal organs and/or the circulatory system.
Early Warning Signs
Early diagnosis of scleroderma is difficult, according to MayoClinic.com, because the disease's early warning signs are widely found in the general public and are often associated with other disorders. The early signs of scleroderma include Raynaud's phenomenon, skin changes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There is also a distinction to be drawn between the early signs of localized scleroderma, which are confined largely to changes in skin, and the more serious systemic form of the disease.
Localized Subtypes
Localized scleroderma has two subtypes: linear and morphea. Each has its own early symptoms, according to eMedTV. An early warning sign of the former is a single band or strip of abnormally colored and/or thickened skin, which is most likely to be seen on an arm or leg but sometimes appears on the forehead. Morphea scleroderma, according to eMedTV, may first manifest as "reddish patches of skin that thicken into firm, oval-shaped areas." The center of each patch eventually takes on an ivory color and is bordered with a thin band of violet.
Signs of Systemic Disease
Doctors who suspect systemic scleroderma usually check their patients for symptoms represented by the acronym CREST. The specific symptoms or warning signs of the systemic form of the disease include calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly and telangiectasias.
CREST Characteristics
Calcinosis, characterized by deposits of calcium in the connective tissue, can be detected by X-ray, while in Raynaud's phenomenon, small blood vessels in the feet and hands contract drastically in response to anxiety or cold. Signs of esophageal dysfunction include difficulty swallowing and/or inflammation of the lower esophagus because of acid reflux. Sclerodactyly is marked by a tightening and thickening of skin on the fingers that result from abnormal deposits of collagen. Telangiectasias, according to eMedTV, are "small red spots on the hands and face that are caused by the swelling of tiny blood vessels."
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you are suffering from a form of scleroderma, make an appointment to see your doctor. He will check you for some of the early signs of the disorder. He then may order additional diagnostic tests, including blood tests and tissue samples. The former can indicate elevated levels of certain antibodies that usually are present in those with scleroderma, while the latter can detect abnormalities characteristic of the disease.
Tags: according eMedTV, early signs, Raynaud phenomenon, blood vessels, connective tissue, early warning