Scleroderma - CREST syndrome - Signs - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prognosis

Scleroderma affects different body parts such as the skin, bones, muscles, eyes, kidneys, respiratory system and the digestive tract. Symptoms largely depend on the type of scleroderma.

Some of the most common symptoms are detailed below-

Skin symptoms

Change in color of the finger tip from white (blanching) to blue to red, due to Increased response to cold. This condition is called Raynaud’s phenomenon

Skin inflammation (swelling, itching, tenderness, pain)

Tightness, hardness or thickening particularly around fingers, feet, face or mouth

Low mobility of the affected areas

Shiny skin due to the tightness

Swollen fingers, hands

Mask-like facial skin

Abnormal skin coloring

Ulcerations on finger tips, toes

Small white lumps underneath the skin

Hair loss

Bone/Muscle symptoms

Joint pain

Wrist pain

Pain, swelling and stiffness of fingers and joints

Pain and numbness in the feet

Eyes

Burning /itching

Discharge from the eyes

Kidney symptoms

Systemic forms of sclerosis can cause renal crisis.

Reduction in kidney function due to abrupt high pressure

Increase in serum creatinine

Increase of protein in urine

In some cases renal crisis can lead to heart failure.

Digestive tract symptoms

Difficulty in swallowing

Stomach bloating after a meal

Constipation/diarrhaea

Heartburn or GERD

Impaired nutrient absorption due to improper food motility

Weight Loss

Respiratory system symptoms

Shortness of breath /wheezing

Dry cough

Scarred lungs

Pulmonary hypertension