- Getting pain relief through nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroids.
- Easing skin itchiness with skin lotions and moisturizers.
- Slowing skin thickening and minimizing damage to the internal organs with medication that suppresses the immune system.
What doctor treats scleroderma?
You’ll be admitted to the hospital for aggressive treatment to lower your blood pressure, prevent kidney injury, and save your organs. Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, is used to treat scleroderma renal crisis and lower your blood pressure in the hospital.
What are the treatment options for scleroderma?
7 rows · May 05, 2021 · Although methotrexate remains the most commonly used therapy in treatment of scleroderma-related ...
Can cannabis help and cure scleroderma?
Treating scleroderma is a team effort. In addition to the attention of a rheumatologist who specializes in scleroderma, you need the support of others traveling the same path. Connecting with your local chapter is one way to build your support team. Joining a support group, attending an educational program, rallying others to raise funds to advance the mission, all play a vital …
Is there a cure for scleroderma?
What is the latest 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 should I avoid 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 ...
What causes scleroderma to flare up?
The immune system and vascular system as well as connective tissue metabolism are known to play some role in the disease process. Researchers believe that several factors interact to produce scleroderma. These include abnormal immune activity, potential environmental triggers, and genetic makeup.Apr 29, 2004
How do you slow down scleroderma?
Lifestyle and home remediesStay active. Exercise keeps your body flexible, improves circulation and relieves stiffness. ... Protect your skin. Take good care of dry or stiff skin by using lotion and sunscreen regularly. ... Don't smoke. ... Manage heartburn. ... Protect yourself from the cold.Jan 27, 2022
Can you live a long life with scleroderma?
In general, patients with limited scleroderma have a normal life expectancy. Some have problems with their GI tract, especially heartburn; severe Raynaud's and musculoskeletal pain; and a small subset can develop pulmonary hypertension that can be life-threatening.
How do you treat scleroderma naturally?
Natural Remedies for SclerodermaA 2016 study of 51 patients determined that low levels of vitamin D frequently occur in systemic sclerosis. ... Topical application of vitamin E gel may reduce healing time and soothe pain in people with digital ulcers caused by systemic scleroderma, according to a 2009 study of 27 patients.More items...•Feb 27, 2022
What does scleroderma pain feel like?
Symptoms can include: Tight skin or swollen joints. Joint pain or tenderness. Muscle fatigue and weakness or aching.
Where does scleroderma usually start?
Nearly everyone who has scleroderma experiences a hardening and tightening of the skin. The first parts of the body to be affected are usually the fingers, hands, feet and face.Jan 27, 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 is the best cream for scleroderma?
Some individuals with scleroderma use raw coconut oil or shea butter to moisturize. Itchy skin is a common symptom that can be somewhat relieved by taking care of the skin. CeraVe lotion has been a lifesaver, as it keeps the moisture locked in my skin all day and doesn't leave behind a greasy film.May 3, 2018
Can scleroderma go away?
A. Localized forms of scleroderma can improve or go away on their own over time, but the skin changes and damage that occur when the disease is active can be permanent. For some people, localized scleroderma is serious and disabling.
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.
Why is it important to know your scleroderma stage?
Because no two cases of Scleroderma are alike, identifying your disease subtype, stage, and involved organs is very important in determining the best course of action for treatment. Current therapies use medications that focus on the four main features of the disease: inflammation, autoimmunity, vascular disease, and tissue fibrosis.
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.
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 are the two types of inflammation in scleroderma?
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)].
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.
Is there a placebo controlled study for scleroderma?
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 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 treat scleroderma?
Lifestyle and home remedies. 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.
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.
How to prevent fingertip ulcers?
Antibiotic ointment, cleaning and protection from the cold may help prevent infection of fingertip ulcers caused by Raynaud's disease. Regular influenza and pneumonia vaccinations can help protect lungs that have been damaged by scleroderma. Relieve pain.
Build Your Team
Our national network of chapters provides support and education people affected by scleroderma in the communities where they live.
Trials and Treatments
Clinical trials are designed to test new approaches to providing medical care. Through clinical trials, researchers can potentially develop new ways to diagnose, prevent, detect, and treat diseases.
Pediatrics
After your child is diagnosed with localized scleroderma, he or she should be followed closely be a pediatric rheumatologist with the help of a pediatric dermatologist. The overall goal of treatment and management is to minimize the impact of the disease on your child’s current and future life, weighing the risks and benefits of medication.
Treatment
Adverse effects
Management
Research
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...
Diagnosis
- A major area of current research is the use of aggressive immunosuppressive therapy either with very-high-dose cyclophosphamide or with autologous bone marrow transplantation. Because these aggressive forms of immunosuppressive therapy have potential risks, they should be used in severe cases of scleroderma and administered as part of a research protocol. It has been kno…
Treatment
- The vascular disease in scleroderma is widespread and affects medium and small arteries. It is manifest clinically as Raynauds 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 fi…
Clinical Trials
- The final outcome of untreated scleroderma vascular disease is occlusion of the vessels by either thrombus formation or advanced fibrosis of the intima. Therefore, anti-platelet therapy in the form of low-dose aspirin is recommended. Good studies to determine if antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy is helpful do not exist. In an acute digital ischemic crisis (sudden development of threat…
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- For a more in-depth understanding of the comprehensive care related to scleroderma download Chapter 23 of Systemic Sclerosis (pdf) by Dr. Laura Hummers and Dr. Fred Wigley.
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.