A chronic disease of unknown etiology occurring four times as frequently in women as in men, which causes the skin and certain organs (GI tract, lungs, heart, and kidney) to bind to the subcutaneous tissue below and form a leathery, possibly itchy surface which later becomes hyper pigmented. Because the skin sticks to the tissue below, in some cases there may be limited range of motion in which physical therapy will be required.


Bromelain helps to repair damaged tissue and lessen the pain of inflammation. If you take bromelain in pineapple form, remember that the bromelain breaks down quickly and it is better if you eat the pineapple promptly. Centella Asiatica (gotu kola) has long been used to sooth skin problems. It is available in a liquid form and may be rubbed directly on the sore areas. 

Scleroderma is a rare, chronic autoimmune disease which afflicts an estimated 150,000(1) to 500,000(2) Americans, primarily females who are 30 to 50 years old at onset. The overall occurrence is 30 people per 100,000 and the ratio of women to men is about four to one. 


Types of Scleroderma 

There are two main types of Scleroderma, Localized and Systemic. 

The systemic forms can affect any part of the body (skin, blood vessels, and internal organs.) The systemic forms are also referred to as "Systemic Sclerosis" plus other terms such as Diffuse, Limited, CREST, and Overlap.

The localized forms are Morphea and Linear. They affect only the skin (and sometimes the underlying tissues) but do not affect the internal organs, or reduce one's life expectancy in any way.

When any form of scleroderma (either localized or systemic) occurs in children, it is also called Childhood Scleroderma or Juvenile Scleroderma.

Symptoms

Raynauds

09/19/01 08:25:55 AM