1. Scleroderma Julia Florack Jonathan Kelley

2. What is scleroderma? Scleroderma affects the body by hardening and tightening the skin and connective tissue. It comes from the Greek meaning hard skin. It is a very rare disease. Can affect anyone but it is more likely to affect women between the ages of 30 and 50. There are two types of scleroderma : Localized- only affects the skin. Systemic- affects skin as well as blood vessels and internal organs such as the heart, kidney, digestive tract, and lungs.

3. The two types of scleroderma: Localized SclerodermaSystemic Scleroderma

4. How is scleroderma autoimmune? Cells make callogen which is what is used to help repair an injury. When this process occurs, too much callogen is produced. This can cause the organs in a persons body to not work as they are supposed to.

5. What are the symptoms of scleroderma? Causes the blood organs to harden You can particularly see these symptoms in the hands and fingers. You can see the entire hand become swollen and the fingers become white from blood circulation being cut off. Shiny skin form hardening and stretching the skin. Tight skin around the hands, face, and mouth can also be seen. Because the skin is tight, it may cause limited flexibility.

6. Treatment for scleroderma Doctors have not found a cure for scleroderma, there are only forms of treatment such as medications that will help the scleroderma from causing problems Some light therapy may help relax the skin a little bit and keep it from thickening. Physical therapy or medicines to improve breathing may also bnefit a person with this disease. Some medications include: Corticosteroids (anti-inflamitory) Methotraxate or Cytoxan (Immune suppressor) NSAIDs

7. Additional information People with scleroderma may be concerned or feel self conscious about their appearance Certain every day tasks such as brushing ones teeth or hair may become difficult due to the tightened skin Being open about the disease with ones family may help them understand what the person is going through and may help them find support

8. Works Cited http://www.dermis.net http://www.emedicine.com http://www.e-ijd.org http://www.health.nytimes.com http://www.hopkinscleroderma.org http://www.mayoclinic.com http://www.medicineabout.com http://www.niams.nih.gov http://images.rheumatology.org http://www.scleroderma.org