Scleroderma (from a nursing perspective)

NUR 101- Ms. Lee
Extra Credit

The Facts About Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that was first described in the 18th century. The term scleroderma means "hard skin," which describes thickening of the skin from increased deposits of collagen.
There are two types of scleroderma. Localized scleroderma affects the skin in limited areas and the musculoskeletal system. Systemic sclerosis causes more widespread skin changes and may be associated with internal organ damage in the lungs, heart and kidneys. It can cause arthritis, slow contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, muscle inflammation, dry eyes and dry mouth. Most people with scleroderma have cold-induced spasms of small blood vessels in their hands or feet, known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes the fingers or toes to turn white or blue and may be painful (http://www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheet/scler.html).
Localized Scleroderma is more common in...