Let’s talk about scleroderma—because understanding this disease is key to spreading awareness.
It’s Scleroderma Awareness Month, which is a time to shine a light on this challenging disease and the dedicated community that is taking action to help find a cure. Let’s #SayScleroderma and help more people understand what it is, what it does, and why awareness matters!
Scleroderma is an autoimmune and rheumatic disease characterized by excessive collagen production in the immune system. This excess collagen leads to skin and connective tissue hardening, which is called fibrosis. The name scleroderma literally means “hard skin”.
Scleroderma is best thought of as a single yet complex disease since the way in which the disease progresses and changes over time varies greatly from person to person. Scleroderma might progress quickly or slowly, and some people are affected early with aggressive changes while others have milder scleroderma symptoms. In the most serious cases, there can be complications that cause damage to the heart, lungs, and digestive system.
Although there is no known cure for scleroderma, significant progress has been made in managing scleroderma symptoms and some of the most serious complications. People with the disease are now living longer, fuller lives.
When we come together to amplify our voices as a community, we can help advance progress towards improved treatment, and eventually a cure, for those living with scleroderma.
