Scleroderma Complications and Treatments

Research and continuing advances in treatment give people with scleroderma hope for a healthier future. Being better informed can help you be a more effective advocate in the management of your disease and remain as healthy as possible.

Scleroderma Skin Complications and Treatments

Along with the signature skin fibrosis (hardening) that characterizes scleroderma, there are other scleroderma complications related to the skin that may occur.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a common medical condition and women are much more likely to develop Raynaud’s phenomenon than men.

Learn More

Skin Ulcers

For people with scleroderma, skin ulcers most often appear at the tips of fingers (digital ulcers), may extend under the nails, or to the joints at pressure points.

Learn More

Calcinosis

Calcinosis is a complication of scleroderma where the abnormal collection of calcium salts which form under the skin and in muscles or tendons.

Learn More

Telangiectasia

Telangiectasias are abnormal blood vessels that usually appear as red dots on the skin or may look like varicose veins, with a spider-web form.

Learn More

Lung Complications and Treatments

One of the main characteristics of scleroderma is the overproduction of collagen. Since certain parts of the lungs are made up of collagen, which can act like scar tissue in the lungs, this can make people with scleroderma vulnerable to serious breathing and lung complications.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Scleroderma can cause scar tissue in the lungs and thickening in the walls of blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart to the lungs.

Learn More

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is another complication of systemic sclerosis which may affect breathing. Learn More

Learn More

Gastrointestinal Complications and Treatments

Most people living with scleroderma have mild to severe gastrointestinal problems. This can appear in many forms and involve different levels of risk, from simple indigestion to esophageal blockage.

Learn More

Joint Complications

Scleroderma complications can affect tendons, joints, nerves, and other structures that affect mobility. The increased production of collagen associated with scleroderma can cause vascular dysfunction. This can contribute to stiffness, warmth, tenderness, and pain in the joints and muscles.

Learn More

Heart Complications

Symptoms of heart complications in scleroderma are varied. They depend on the location within the heart and the presence of any underlying conditions. The heart muscle can become thickened and fibrous scar tissue may accumulate. This can cause contractions of the heart to decrease and may ultimately, in rare cases, lead to heart failure.

Learn More

Kidney Complications

Kidney complications occur in approximately 15% of scleroderma patients, most often occurring in patients with diffuse skin involvement when skin thickness reaches the upper arms and trunk.

Learn More
LIVING WITH SCLERODERMA

Watch the 2023 SRF Patient Forum

“Collaborating For a Cure,” an online patient forum for people living with scleroderma and those who care about them, is now available to watch online.

Watch Now
photos of people living with scleroderma & their loved ones

More Resources

I’ve Been Diagnosed, What Do I Do?

There is a lot to understand about this complicated disease. Here is a place to get started.

Learn More

Treatment Centers

Patients who are diagnosed with scleroderma are encouraged to receive care at a specialized Treatment Center.

View Treatment Centers

Webinar Series

Scleroderma Research Foundation collaborates and co-hosts free online webinars providing scleroderma health, wellbeing, and COVID-19 information.

See Available Webinars