What Is Scleroderma?

Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Did you know? Scleroderma occurs more often in women than men.

More than 300,000 Americans live with some type of scleroderma.

Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too much collagen, leading to the hardening and thickening of the skin and other tissues. While it’s most noticeable on the skin, it can also affect blood vessels, internal organs, and the digestive system. Scleroderma can vary widely from person to person, with some experiencing only mild skin changes and others facing more serious complications.

01 | Types  

Trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the trigeminal nerve is irritated or disrupted, most commonly due to pressure from a nearby blood vessel where the nerve enters the brain. This compression causes the nerve to misfire, resulting in intense pain. Other causes include nerve damage due to multiple sclerosis, tumors, stroke, facial injury or surgery.

02 | Symptoms

Scleroderma symptoms include:

• Skin thickening and tightening
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Fatigue
• Digestive issues
• Shortness of breath or coughing
• Changes in skin appearance
• Weight loss or general weakness
• Numbness or discoloration of fingers and toes

03 | Treatment

Although there’s no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, slow progression, and support a better quality of life. Treatment plans are tailored to each person, depending on which parts of the body are affected. They may include medications to control the immune system, improve blood flow, or relieve specific issues like pain, digestive problems, or breathing difficulties. Physical or occupational therapy can help maintain mobility and independence, while skin treatments and light therapy may ease skin-related symptoms. In more severe cases, advanced options like stem cell transplants may be considered to help address serious complications.

​Learn More

For more information on scleroderma, please visit scleroderma.org/.

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References

https://scleroderma.org/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scleroderma/ symptoms-causes/syc-20351952

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/scleroderma