Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a rare, connective tissue disease in which the body’s normal tissue is replaced with thick, dense tissue, due to the overproduction of collagen. Although Scleroderma can affect other parts of the body including the kidneys, hearts, and muscles, the more common symptom associated with Scleroderma is the thickening and hardening of the skin, particularly in the hands and face.

Scleroderma can also make worse, problems of dry and irritated skin, increase damage due to a lack of blood and oxygen, and make your skin prone to cracking, cutting, and possible infection. It holds therefore, that protecting your skin is very important.

Here are a couple tips for helping you take much better care of your skin, today.

Keep Warm & Dress Appropriately:
As the air gets colder, be sure to dress appropriately. Especially if you have Raynaud's Phemomenon, do wear gloves, jackets, sweaters, and loose-fitting boots or shoes. All of these help to maintain blood flow in your arms, hands, legs, feet, and other extremities. Multiple layers of light clothing is more comfortable than one article of heavier clothing. Sleeping with a blanket and taking showers in warm water can also help to maintain and improve your circulation.

Avoid Detergents and Irritants:
Do avoid using any strong detergents or substances, as they tend to both irritate and degrease the skin. If you must, do wear rubber gloves to protect the hands. Where possible, use warm water and be sure to moisturize after.

Install A Humidifier:
These can help to keep the air in your home or room moist, reducing any additional dryness and irritation of the skin.

Protect Yourself From the Sun:
If left unprotected, the sun can cause further damage your skin. For those of use with hyper-pigmentation, sun exposure can make the skin worse. For better protection, use a sunscreen with UVA rating. Wear light clothing and not dark, and do remember that the sun is more intense between the hours of 10a.m. and 3p.m. There’s no shame in carrying and using an umbrella either.

Moisturize:
Always use bath soaps and oils, moisturizers and creams that are designed specifically for and help prevent dry skin. If you are unsure what you can use, consult with your Dermatologist or ask others with Scleroderma to make a recommendation.

Do Exercise Regularly:
Physiotherapy and stretching exercises are important, as it helps keeps to loosen tight skin, and improve flexibility and blood supply to the skin. Talk to your Dermatologist or Physiotherapist about guiding you on which exercises can help

Treat Ulcers Immediately:
If ulcers do appear, immediately seek medical treatment as the dead tissue must be removed and the infection cleared by antibiotics. When treated, healing is often achieved by improving the supply of oxygen rich blood to the affected area. There are many creams and gels which are recommended including hydrogel dressings, and your wounds should be appropriately dressed. Do discuss with your doctor.

We do encourage you today, to start taking better care of your skin. If you have already successfully tried other techniques to help keep your skin healthy and taken care of, please do feel free to share your tips and suggestions in our comments section below – they would be most welcomed.