How does scleroderma develop?
This devastating chronic disease can damage large areas of the skin and organ tissues. As the immune system turns against the body to develop harmful antibodies, the skin becomes taut, shiny and dark. The skin on the face may tighten, resulting in stiffness and an inability to change facial expressions. Fingers, chest, face, lips and tongue can display spider veins or telangiectasia. Calcium bumps can develop on the fingers, joints and on other bony areas. Often with scleroderma, inflamed tissues rub and create a grating sound that can be heard at the elbow and knees. Scarring of the skin causes the fingers, wrists and elbows to become fixed in contracted or flexed positions. Fingertips and knuckles can develop sores. In addition, as the disease progresses, the lower end of the esophagus may become damaged through scarring. When this happens, the esophagus no longer delivers food to the stomach efficiently, causing problems with swallowing and heartburn. In about a third of the cases,
