Symptoms of Scleroderma

Raynaud’s phenomenon: Changes in skin color of the fingertips, toes, and nose in response to cold or emotional stress Skin usually turns very white when first exposed to cold, then blue, then very red May be accompanied by pain, tingling, numbness Sores or ulcers on the fingers Changes in the skin, as areas of affected skin lose hair and become: Stiff Hard Thick Shiny Darker or lighter with darker spots (the so-called salt and pepper appearance) Skin over face may become so tight that it’s hard to change expression (face appears “mask-like”) Fingers and toes become swollen or puffy Whitish bumps of calcium deposits develop under the skin (calcinosis) Tiny purplish-red blood vessels appear under the skin (telangiectasias) Skin creases diminish or disappear Arthritis (joint aches and stiffness) Muscle pain and weakness Dry eyes and mouth (called Sjogren’s syndrome) Digestive problems: Heartburn Difficulty swallowing Constipation Diarrhea Poor absorption of nutrients, weight loss Liver blockage, jaundice (yellowish appearance to the whites of the eyes and the skin) Problems due to lung, heart, and kidney involvement: Shortness of breath Abnormal heart rhythms Heart failure High blood pressure Kidney failure