Scleroderma is a relatively rare autoimmune disorder affects 75,000 to 100,000 individuals in the US. It mostly affects women between 30 to 50 years of age. Your skin is the largest organ in the body, and you have to do everything possible to keep it safe and healthy. Unfortunately, one of the main targets of scleroderma is your skin. The autoimmune nature of the disease can cause long-term damage to your skin. It may end up giving you textured and thicker skin all over your body. Scleroderma can also damage your internal organs. While the condition is chronic and cannot be cured completely, managing its symptoms can help a great deal. Keep reading to find out how you can do that.
Symptoms and Types of Scleroderma Localized Scleroderma Localized scleroderma mainly affects the skin, although it may also impact your muscles and bones. It is the mildest form of scleroderma and does not affect the internal organs. It is further divided into two types – morphea and linear scleroderma. The symptoms of morphea scleroderma include light or dark patches on your skin that are oval-shaped. Those with linear scleroderma may develop bands or streaks of hardened skin on the limbs. It usually affects the bones and muscles. Systemic Scleroderma Systemic scleroderma affects the entire body, including your blood and internal organs like your kidneys, esophagus, lungs, and heart. Its two main types are limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis syndrome (CREST) and diffuse systemic sclerosis. Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis syndrome (CREST) is the least severe type of the disease. It usually affects the skin on your hands, face, feet, and lower arms and legs. It is also termed CREST syndrome because its symptoms form the acronym, CREST, which stands for: C – Calcinosis (formation of calcium deposits in tissues and under the skin) R – Raynaud’s disease E – Esophageal diseases like GERD S – Sclerodactyly (formation of thick skin on the fingers) T – Telangiectasia (enlargement of blood vessels that manifests as red spots) Diffuse systemic sclerosis is characterized by the thickening of the skin of your hands up to your wrists. This can also affect your internal organs. Affected individuals often experience symptoms of weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Overall, the symptoms of scleroderma include: Stiffness, tightness, and puffiness of your fingers and hands due to emotional stress or sensitivity to cold Swelling in the feet Calcium deposition Narrowing of blood vessels in the hands and feet (Raynaud’s disease) Problems with the esophagus Thickening of the skin on the fingers Formation of red spots on the face and hands The exact cause of this condition is yet to be determined. But, since it is an autoimmune disease, problems with the functioning of your immune system could be the main cause. Other factors that can cause scleroderma or increase its risk are listed below. Causes and Risk Factors One of the main causes of scleroderma is believed to be the overproduction of collagen – a protein that forms the building block of connective tissues. This may lead to the thickening and subsequent scarring of the affected tissues. Another factor that could be responsible for the development of scleroderma is genes. However, this isn’t confirmed yet. A family history of autoimmune diseases is often traced in individuals with scleroderma, making it another factor that could be contributing to the development of the condition. Other factors that can increase your risk of getting scleroderma are: Age – Those between 30 and 50 years of age are more likely to develop scleroderma. Gender – This disease is more common in women. Medical conditions like diabetes increase your risk of developing scleroderma. Exposure to environmental factors like silica dust and certain chemicals like vinyl chloride. Medications like carbidopa and bleomycin also increase your risk. Scleroderma is quite difficult to diagnose as it surfaces gradually and in different forms. Hence, your doctor may carry out the following tests to diagnose it. Diagnosis Your physician may carry out a physical examination along with some other tests to diagnose scleroderma. Such tests include: Observing the skin under a microscope to look for any changes Biopsy Blood tests to assess the levels of different antibodies in it Your doctor may also look for signs of skin thickening, shortness of breath, GERD, and calcium deposition before diagnosing your condition. Once you have been positively diagnosed with scleroderma, your doctor may suggest any of the treatments listed below. Treatment Methods Medical treatments for scleroderma include: Blood pressure medications to dilate your blood vessels and help treat Raynaud’s disease that surfaces from scleroderma Immunosuppressants to suppress your immune system activities Physical therapy to manage symptoms of pain and improve your mobility and strength Laser surgery and/or ultraviolet light therapy to improve the appearance and condition of your skin Researchers are on the lookout for more treatments to treat scleroderma. Here are some natural alternatives to manage this condition. Home Remedies to Manage Scleroderma Symptoms Vitamin D You Will Need Vitamin D What You Have To Do You can either consume foods rich in vitamin D like fatty fish, cheese, and egg yolk or take supplements for it. Consult a doctor before taking supplements. How Often You Should Do This Do this on a daily basis. Why This Works Vitamin D exhibits immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, and cardioprotective effects and is a great Herbal Treatment for Scleroderma to manage the symptoms. Most sclerodermic individuals are also deficient in vitamin D, thus signifying the need for its supplementation (1). Essential Oils a. Peppermint Oil You Will Need 6 drops of peppermint oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (or any other carrier oil) What You Have To Do Add six drops of peppermint oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil. Mix well and apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes or overnight. Rinse it off. How Often You Should Do This You can do this 1 to 2 times daily. Why This Works Peppermint oil is one of the useful Herbal Remedies for Scleroderma that has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on inflamed and swollen skin due to the presence of menthol. It can also help alleviate symptoms of pain (2). b. Lavender Oil You Will Need 6 drops of lavender oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (or any other carrier oil) What You Have To Do Add six drops of lavender oil to a teaspoon of any carrier oil. Mix well and apply it to the affected skin. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes or preferably overnight. Rinse it off. How Often You Should Do This You can do this 1 to 2 times daily. Why This Works With its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, it is no surprise that lavender oil works wonderfully in Natural Treatment for Scleroderma pain and inflammation that surface with it (3). It also relieves stress (4). Gotu Kola You Will Need ½ teaspoon of dried gotu kola 1 glass of hot water What You Have To Do Add half a teaspoon of dried gotu kola to a cup of hot water. Steep for 5 to 7 minutes and strain. Drink the hot tea. How Often You Should Do This Drink Gotu kola tea 1 to 3 times daily. Why This Works Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a medicinal herb that is known to stabilize the connective tissues and promote the health of your blood vessels. It is also capable of alleviating symptoms of inflammation and stress (5). It is one of the helpful Home Remedies for Scleroderma that works deeply without any side effects. Turmeric You Will Need 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder 1 glass of hot milk or water What You Have To Do Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk or water. Mix well. Drink the solution. You can also apply a paste made of turmeric and water to the affected skin and leave it on for a few minutes. How Often You Should Do This You can do this once daily. Why This Works Turmeric is a rich source of curcumin that used in Herbal Products of Scleroderma. Supplementation with curcumin was observed to suppress the fibrotic process leading to the overproduction of collagen and the development of scleroderma (6), (7). Onion You Will Need A small onion What You Have To Do Cut a small onion into half. Rub half of the onion on the affected area gently. Allow the onion extract to work on the skin for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse it off with water. How Often You Should Do This Do this 1 to 2 times daily. Why This Works Onions are rich in compounds like thiosulfinates and cepaene that exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. This helps in alleviating the symptoms of inflammation and swelling (8). Lemon You Will Need 1 lemon 1 teaspoon of honey What You Have To Do Extract the juice from a lemon. Mix it with a teaspoon of honey. Apply the mixture to the affected skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with water. How Often You Should Do This You must do this once daily. Why This Works The topical application of lemon juice helps to soften the thickened skin and reduces the inflammation and swelling (9). Gram Flour You Will Need 2 teaspoons of gram flour Water (as required) What You Have To Do Add a little water to two teaspoons of gram flour to form a paste. Apply the paste evenly to the affected area and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. Wash it off with water. You can also use this mixture as a natural replacement for soap. How Often You Should Do This Apply this to your skin at least once daily. Why This Works Gram flour can help smoothen rough and thickened skin. It also helps your skin regain its lost texture. Ginger You Will Need 1-2 inches of ginger 1 cup of hot water What You Have To Do Add 1 to 2 inches of ginger to a cup of hot water. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes and strain. Drink the hot tea. How Often You Should Do This You can drink ginger tea 2 to 3 times daily. Why This Works Ginger is one of the well known elements to add on Natural Remedies for Scleroderma because it has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help inhibit pain-producing prostaglandins in your body. thus helping you manage the symptoms of scleroderma (11). Resource Article https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-home-remedies-to-treat-scleroderma/
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