Scleroderma Types Systemic Limited

Systemic Sclerosis: Limited Scleroderma

What is Limited Scleroderma?

Limited systemic sclerosis can affect every part of the body, including the skin, blood vessels and/or internal organs.

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Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma) is classified in terms of the degree and location of the skin involvement: Diffuse, Limited, or CREST Syndrome.

Each of these types can affect any part of the body, including the skin, blood vessels, and/or internal organs. (Also see What is Scleroderma?, Types of Scleroderma and Systemic Symptoms)

CREST Syndrome does not necessarily have any skin tightening at all. The CREST term has fallen into disuse by experts, who were frustrated because many doctors were just diagnosing CREST and failing to identify further, whether it was Limited or Diffuse Scleroderma.

• Limited means that the skin involvement is limited to the hands (although the face and neck may also be involved).
• Diffuse is when skin tightening also occurs above the wrists (or elbows, see below).
• Systemic Sclerosis sine Scleroderma is when there is internal organ fibrosis, but no skin tightening.

Limited Scleroderma (CREST Syndrome). For some people, the problems caused by limited scleroderma are minor. For others, limited scleroderma can be life altering and even fatal. Mayo Clinic.

Diagnosis of Limited Scleroderma

Limited Scleroderma is diagnosed when there is tight skin limited to the hand, along with either pitting digital ulcers (secondary to Raynaud's) and/or lung fibrosis. This is considered to be a "milder" form of Scleroderma. The skin of the face and neck may also be involved in Limited Scleroderma.

Limited Scleroderma often causes Raynaud's and esophageal problems. Occasionally other internal organ involvement occurs, but usually only after many years of the disease. The onset and progression of Limited Scleroderma is usually very slow, and the outlook in general is very good. ⁽¹⁾

Research for Limited Scleroderma

Scleroderma Treatments and Clinical Trials. ISN.

Online Support for Limited Scleroderma

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ISN's Sclero Forums, Chats, Blogs and Videos is a well-moderated worldwide online support community for people affected by scleroderma (including limited scleroderma) and related illnesses. ISN.

Limited Scleroderma Patient & Caregiver Stories

Amy B: Limited Scleroderma with CREST I am a full time pharmacist in a pediatric hospital. In February or March of this year, I began to be very intolerable of the cold…

Brenda: Limited Scleroderma, CREST, Raynaud's I was sick for five or six years, telling doctors how much pain I was in…

Christene: Limited Scleroderma I was diagnosed when I was just nineteen and at that time it was one of the scariest moments of my life…

More Limited Scleroderma Patient and Caregiver Story Listings…

References

(1) Learning About Scleroderma. North East Valley Division of General Practice, Victoria.

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