Medication
Scleroderma Treatment Treating Scleroderma. Treatment typically focuses on inflammation, autoimmunity, vascular issues and tissue fibrosis... Your Scleroderma Support Team. Scleroderma can impact many important aspects of life, which makes it critical for you to... The Long-Term Prognosis for ...
Procedures
Treatment of lung disease: For patients with scleroderma who have rapidly worsening pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lung tissue), the drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®) - a form of chemotherapy - has been proven to be useful in a recent NIH study.
Therapy
Scleroderma treatment also includes physical therapy and regular exercise, which can improve circulation, muscle strength, and help keep your joints flexible. Over-the-counter and prescribed medication can help control heartburn and other digestive problems.
Self-care
Systemic Medications: Scleroderma-Associated ILD Medications to treat lung fibrosis include mycophenolate and cyclophosphamide, as well as some newer biologic agents. Biologics target specific “inflammatory” proteins made by your immune system that …
Nutrition
7 rows · May 05, 2021 · Treatment of scleroderma continues to be a challenge as targeted therapies are lacking. Although ...
What are the best treatments for scleroderma?
Currently, there is no cure for scleroderma, but there are many treatments available to help particular symptoms. Some treatments are directed at decreasing the activity of the immune system. Some people with mild disease may not need medication at all and occasionally people can go off treatment when their scleroderma is no longer active.
What doctor treats scleroderma?
Most of the Scleroderma suffering Patients treated with the combination of Pluripotent Stem Cells and supportive therapies (including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Cryotherapy, Ozone therapy, Bioresonance, Detoxing and IV Vitamin therapy), showed visible signs of improvement in the following areas. Patient Improvements
What are the treatment options for scleroderma?
What to expect with scleroderma?
What is the best medicine for scleroderma?
Among the most commonly prescribed drugs for scleroderma are: Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) and mycophenolate sodium (Myfortic). Recent studies suggest these medications may be particularly helpful for patients with scleroderma who have lung involvement.Jan 31, 2022
Can scleroderma be cured?
There is no treatment that can cure or stop the overproduction of collagen that is characteristic of scleroderma. But a variety of treatments can help control symptoms and prevent complications.Jan 27, 2022
What triggers scleroderma?
Research suggests that, in some people, scleroderma symptoms may be triggered by exposure to certain viruses, medications or drugs. Repeated exposure, such as at work, to certain harmful substances or chemicals also may increase the risk of scleroderma. An environmental trigger is not identified for most people.Jan 27, 2022
How long can you live with scleroderma?
People who have localized scleroderma may live an uninterrupted life with only minor symptom experiences and management. On the other hand, those diagnosed with an advanced and systemic version of the disease have a prognosis of anywhere from three to 15 years.
What is the newest treatment for scleroderma?
Nintedanib was approved by the FDA in 2019 to slow the rate of decline in pulmonary function in patients who have interstitial lung disease associated with scleroderma.Feb 3, 2022
What happens if scleroderma is left untreated?
Scleroderma causes a restrictive ventilatory defect (small lungs) secondary to an inflammatory process in the lung alveoli (air sacs). This process, left untreated, leads to fibrosis of the lung tissue (a fibrosing alveolitis) that interferes with normal gas exchange from the air to the blood.
What does scleroderma pain feel like?
Symptoms can include: Tight skin or swollen joints. Joint pain or tenderness. Muscle fatigue and weakness or aching.
Is scleroderma serious?
As its name implies, this form affects many parts of the body. Not only can it affect the skin, but it also can affect many internal organs, hindering digestive and respiratory functions, and causing kidney failure. Systemic scleroderma can sometimes become serious and life-threatening.Sep 16, 2019
Can scleroderma be fatal?
This form of scleroderma can occur at any age but is most common in women of childbearing age. It occurs in around 30 persons per million population per year and there are an estimated 125,000 active cases in the United States and perhaps 2.5 million worldwide. It is the most fatal of all the rheumatologic diseases.
What foods should be avoided with scleroderma?
REFLUX/HEARTBURN: eat small frequent meals to avoid overfilling your stomach; avoid eating within 2-3 hours of bedtime; avoid foods that may aggravate symptoms such as citrus fruits, tomato products, greasy fried foods, coffee, garlic, onions, peppermint, gas-producing foods (such as raw peppers, beans, broccoli, raw ...
At what age is scleroderma usually diagnosed?
Age: Most localized types of scleroderma show up before age 40, and systemic types of scleroderma are typically diagnosed between ages 30 and 50.
Can I live with scleroderma?
Many people have a good scleroderma prognosis - they do not die of the disease and live a full and productive life. However, some people do die from scleroderma, for example those with severe lung, heart or kidney involvement.
What is the best treatment for scleroderma?
Surgery. Used as a last resort, surgical options for scleroderma complications may include: Amputation. If finger sores caused by severe Raynaud's disease have progressed to the point that the fingertip tissue begins to die, amputation may be necessary.
How to manage scleroderma?
You can take a number of steps to help manage your symptoms of scleroderma: Stay active. Exercise keeps your body flexible, improves circulation and relieves stiffness. Range-of-motion exercises can help keep your skin and joints flexible. Protect your skin.
How long does it take for scleroderma to fade?
In some cases, the skin problems associated with scleroderma fade away on their own in two to five years. The type of scleroderma that affects internal organs usually worsens with time.
What tests are done after a physical exam?
After a thorough physical exam, your doctor may suggest blood tests to check for elevated levels of certain antibodies produced by the immune system. He or she may also remove a small sample of your affected skin so that it can be examined in the laboratory. Your doctor may also suggest other blood tests and imaging or organ-function tests ...
How to treat Raynaud's disease?
Protect your skin. Take good care of dry or stiff skin by using lotion and sunscreen regularly. Avoid hot baths and showers and exposure to strong soaps and household chemicals , which can irritate and further dry out your skin. Don't smoke. Nicotine causes blood vessels to contract, making Raynaud's disease worse.
What are the symptoms of chronic illness?
Denial, anger and frustration are common with chronic illnesses. At times, you may need additional tools to deal with your emotions. Professionals, such as therapists or behavior psychologists, may be able to help you put things in perspective.
What is the treatment for scleroderma?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments help some patients. Skin hardening in patients who have a lot of scleroderma on their skin: A type of phototherapy called PUVA can reduce this. When using this type of phototherapy, you take a medicine called psoralen before getting UVA treatment.
What is the treatment for white blood cells?
The white blood cells are treated with psoralen (a medicine that makes cells more sensitive to UV light) and then exposed to UVA light. This treatment helps destroy diseased blood cells. The patient’s treated white blood cells are then injected into the patient.
What is the difference between a rheumatologist and a dermatologist?
Dermatologists have expertise in diagnosing diseases that affect the skin, and rheumatologists specialize in diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones. To diagnose scleroderma, a doctor usually begins by asking you about your symptoms, health, and medical history. The doctor will also examine your skin for signs ...
What does a blood test tell you?
A blood test can tell your doctor whether you have something in your blood called “elevated antinuclear antibodies.”. About 95% of people who have scleroderma have this, but people with other diseases also have this.
What is the best medicine for morphea?
Swelling and patches of hard-feeling skin: If you have only a few patches of morphea (a type of scleroderma) on your skin, the following medicines can be effective: Calcipotriene (may also reduce discolored skin and visible blood vessels) Calcipotriene + a strong corticosteroid. Imiquimod. Tacrolimus ointment.
What is UVA phototherapy?
UVA phototherapy. Severe scleroderma that affects the skin and internal organs: For this, a dermatologist may recommend extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). A study found that this treatment can be effective for severe scleroderma when ECP is started early.
How to heal dry skin?
Dry skin: A moisturizer can help heal the dry skin. Calcium deposits beneath the skin: Soaking in warm water can help reduce these. A strong corticosteroid like prednisone can treat large calcium deposits that develop beneath the skin. Laser treatment can also be helpful.
What is the best treatment for scleroderma?
The most popular approach to controlling the inflammatory phase of scleroderma is the use of immunosuppressive therapy . The rationale is that an autoimmune process is causing the inflammation and the downstream result is tissue damage and fibrosis. In this model, the fibrosis is an “innocent bystander” that is driven by the cytokines (chemical messengers) produced by the immune system. There are several drugs that are being used, but only a few well designed studies have been performed. These immunosuppressing drugs include methotrexate, cyclosporine, antithymocyte globulin, mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide. A recent study suggested that methotrexate did not significantly alter the skin score (a measure of skin thickening) compared with placebo (no treatment). Cyclosporine is not completely studied due to reports of renal toxicity. The most promising drugs are mycophenolate mofetil or cyclophosphamide with or without antithymocyte globulin. Unfortunately, there is no placebo-controlled study (i.e., half the patients get the medication and half get a sugar pill) to define their exact role in treating scleroderma, but if used during the active inflammatory phase of the disease, they appear to work.
What drugs are used to reduce collagen production?
The older medications in this category include colchicine, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), dimethyl sulfoxide, and D-penicillamine.
Who wrote chapter 23 of Systemic Sclerosis?
The following is an excerpt from chapter 23 of Systemic Sclerosis, 2nd Edition written by Dr. Laura Hummers and Dr. Fred Wigley. Download the full chapter at the bottom of this page.
Does scleroderma cause inflammation?
Many medications are thought to directly or indirectly affect inflammation. In scleroderma, there are two major types of inflammation that are related to the disease process. The first is a more conventional type that can cause arthritis (inflammation in the joints), myositis (inflammation in the muscles), or serositis [inflammation in the lining of the heart (pericarditis) or lining of the lung (pleuritis)]. This type of inflammation responds to traditional antiinflammatory drugs: NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) or corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone). The duration of therapy and the dose of medication are dictated by the specific situation. Some patients will need chronic administration and others will recover after a limited course of therapy.
What is vascular disease?
The vascular disease in scleroderma is widespread and affects medium and small arteries. It is manifest clinically as Raynaud’s phenomenon in the skin, and there is evidence that repeated episodes of ischemia (low-oxygen state) occur in other tissues. Low blood flow into the skin and tissues is thought not only to damage tissue by the lack of nutrition and oxygen but to activate fibroblasts and promote tissue fibrosis. Therefore, treatment of the vascular disease is now considered crucial to controlling the disease as a whole as well as preventing specific organ damage. There are three major features of the vascular disease that potentially need treatment: vasospasm (spasm of blood vessels), a proliferative vasculopathy (thickening of blood vessels), and thrombosis (blood clots) or structural occlusion of the vessel lumen (blockage of blood vessels).
Does scleroderma respond to NSAIDs?
The other type of inflammation relates to the skin and other tissue injury caused by the scleroderma process. This phase of the disease does not appear to respond to NSAIDs or corticosteroids, although the exact role of corticosteroids is not fully studied.
What is the best vasodilator?
The most effective and popular vasodilator therapy continues to be the calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine). Studies demonstrate that the calcium channel blockers can reduce the frequency of Raynaud’s phenomenon attacks and reduce the occurrence of digital ulcers.
What is the best treatment for scleroderma?
Skin treatments: For localized scleroderma, topical medications often are beneficial. Moisturizers are used to prevent the skin from drying out, as well as to treat hardened skin. To improve blood flow so that sores in the fingers can heal, nitrates such as nitroglycerin are prescribed.
What is scleroderma in the body?
Scleroderma is a chronic but rare autoimmune disease in which normal tissue is replaced with thick tissue with extra collagen. Although it most often affects the skin, scleroderma also can affect many other parts of the body.
How many people have scleroderma?
Approximately 250 persons per million American adults are affected by scleroderma. It usually develops between the ages of 35 and 55, although a pediatric form also occurs. Scleroderma is four times more common in women than it is in men.
Can scleroderma cause kidney problems?
Patients with limited scleroderma do not experience kidney problems. The skin thickening is restricted to the fingers, hands and forearms, and also sometimes the feet and legs. Digestive involvement is confined mostly to the esophagus.
What is scleroderma autoimmune?
Scleroderma is a chronic, although rare, autoimmune disease in which normal tissue is replaced with dense, thick fibrous tissue. Normally, the immune system helps defend the body against disease and infection. In patients with scleroderma, the immune system triggers other cells to produce too much collagen (a protein).
How common is Raynaud's phenomenon?
Approximately 85% to 95% of scleroderma patients experience Raynaud's phenomenon. However, primary Raynaud's phenomenon is common and often occurs by itself without any underlying connective tissue disorder. Only 10% of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon will develop scleroderma.
Can scleroderma be mistaken for lupus?
Because it can affect other parts of the body — such as the joints — scleroderma may be initially mistaken for rheumato id arthritis or lupus. After discussing your personal family medical history, your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination.
What is the diagnosis of scleroderma?
Diagnosis of Scleroderma. Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body. This triggers an overproduction of collagen, a component of scar tissue leading to the formation of the characteristic patches of thick and hardened skin.
What tests are done for scleroderma?
This can be coupled with a water test, which assesses how the hands respond to immersion in cold water. Nailfold capillaroscopy, which examines the small blood vessels under the fingernails. Lung function tests. The lungs, or the blood vessels of the lungs, are commonly affected in systemic scleroderma patients.
Why does scleroderma occur?
It’s thought Scleroderma occurs because part of the immune system has become overactive and out of control.
What is the cause of sclerotonin?
The cause of the disease is inflammation of arteries and small veins in the body that result in collagen overproduction within the body’s connective tissue.
How do you know if you have scleroderma?
Nearly everyone who has Scleroderma experiences a hardening and tightening of patches of skin. These patches may be shaped like ovals or straight lines, or cover wide areas of the trunk and limbs.
Is there a cure for scleroderma?
Scleroderma affects women more often than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. While there is no cure, a variety of treatments can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. There are many different types of Scleroderma. In some people, this affects only the skin.
What percentage of patients have autoantibodies?
Not every patient will have autoantibodies, and the type of autoantibody may vary. But the most common autoantibody detected in 60 to 80 percent of patients, regardless of Scleroderma type, is antinuclear antibody (ANA).
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Specialist to consult
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
- In some cases, the skin problems associated with scleroderma fade away on their own in two to five years. The type of scleroderma that affects internal organs usually worsens with time.
Treatment
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Adverse effects
- You can take a number of steps to help manage your symptoms of scleroderma: 1. Stay active.Exercise keeps your body flexible, improves circulation and relieves stiffness. Range-of-motion exercises can help keep your skin and joints flexible. 2. Protect your skin.Take good care of dry or stiff skin by using lotion and sunscreen regularly. Avoid hot ...
Management
- As is true with other chronic diseases, living with scleroderma can place you on a roller coaster of emotions. Here are some suggestions to help you even out the ups and downs: 1. Maintain normal daily activities as best you can. 2. Pace yourself and be sure to get the rest that you need. 3. Stay connected with friends and family. 4. Continue to pursue hobbies that you enjoy and are …
Research
- You'll probably first bring your symptoms to the attention of your family doctor, who may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bone (rheumatologist). Because scleroderma can affect many organ systems, you may need to see a variety of medical specialists.
Pathophysiology
Prognosis
- The other type of inflammation relates to the skin and other tissue injury caused by the scleroderma process. This phase of the disease does not appear to respond to NSAIDs or corticosteroids, although the exact role of corticosteroids is not fully studied. There are risks associated with the use of these agents, including gastrointestinal disease, fluid retention, and r…
Resources
- The most popular approach to controlling the inflammatory phase of scleroderma is the use of immunosuppressive therapy. The rationale is that an autoimmune process is causing the inflammation and the downstream result is tissue damage and fibrosis. In this model, the fibrosis is an innocent bystander that is driven by the cytokines (chemical messen...