Scleroderma is a widespread connective tissue disease that
involves changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and
internal organs. CREST syndrome; Limited scleroderma;
Progressive systemic sclerosis; Systemic sclerosis; Localized
scleroderma; Morphea, linear Causes, incidence, and risk
factors: The cause of scleroderma is unknown. People with this
condition have a buildup of a substance called collagen in the
skin and other organs. This buildup leads to the symptoms of the
disease. The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old.
Women get scleroderma more often than men do. Risk factors
include work exposure to silica dust and polyvinyl chloride.
Diffuse scleroderma can overlap with other autoimmune diseases,
including systemic lupus erythematosus and polymyositis . In
such cases, the disorder is referred to as mixed connective
disease. Localized scleroderma usually affects only the skin on
the hands and face. Its course is very slow, and it rarely, if
ever, spreads throughout the body (becomes syst