Because scleroderma primarily targets the skin, its most obvious symptoms manifest themselves as skin problems. Due to the nature of the disease, however, which can also affect internal organs, other symptoms may accrue.
Common skin symptoms include:
- Thickening, hardening and tightness
- Swelling of hands and toes
- Hair loss in involved skin
- Sores over fingertips
- Generalized itching
- Color changes of hands and feet with cold exposure (known as Raynaud's)
Other common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Arthritis
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Dryness of the eyes and mouth
- Heartburn, bloating and other digestive symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- High blood pressure (known as hypertension)
This information has been developed and approved by Aryeh Fischer, MD (April 2008).
