What does scleroderma rash look like?
Nearly everyone who has scleroderma experiences a hardening and tightening of patches of skin. These patches may be shaped like ovals or straight lines, or cover wide areas of the trunk and limbs. The number, location and size of the patches vary by type of scleroderma.
What does morphea look like when it starts?
In general, morphea causes discolored, thickened patches of skin that are oval in shape. The outer edge of the lesion may be lilac, and the patch itself is usually reddish in color. It gradually becomes white or yellow in color toward the center of the oval.
How fast does morphea spread?
Without treatment, the lesions often go away on their own within three to five years, but new lesions usually appear over a person’s lifetime. If the condition goes deeper than skin level, it may spread quickly, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. Find out more morphea facts here.
Is morphea itchy?
Morphea is usually asymptomatic, with occasional itch and rarely pain. Morphea usually begins as a red or purple area of skin that then becomes thickened and white.
Do you get a rash with scleroderma?
These red rashes generally occur before the muscle weakness occurs and usually appear on the face, knees, shoulders, and hands. In some affected individuals, the skin changes caused by dermatomyositis are similar to those associated with scleroderma. The skin may become dry and hard and have a brownish color.
Can Morphea turn into scleroderma?
Morphea is sometimes referred to as “localized scleroderma”. However, despite their similar names, patients with morphea are not at increased risk of developing internal organ scleroderma involvement (systemic sclerosis). In morphea, the immune system mistakenly causes inflammation of the skin.
How do you get rid of morphea?
Treatment
- Medicated creams. Your doctor may prescribe a vitamin D cream, such as calcipotriene, to help soften the skin patches.
- Light therapy. For severe or widespread morphea, treatment may include the use of ultraviolet light (phototherapy).
- Oral medications.
- Physical therapy.
What does skin morphea look like?
Morphea is a rare skin condition characterized by small red or purple patches that develop firm white or ivory centers. The affected skin becomes tight and less flexible. Morphea (mor-FEE-uh) is a rare condition that causes painless, discolored patches on your skin.
Is sun good for Morphea?
Sun exposure may be helpful for morphea lesions, but do not over do it. Ten to 15 minutes of exposure to midday sunlight two to three times per week may improve the morphea lesions.
What causes morphea skin disease?
The underlying cause of morphea is poorly understood. Theories on the cause are often drawn from studies of systemic sclerosis. A variety of factors, including autoimmunity, genetics, and vascular dysfunction may play a role in morphea.
What is morphea skin disease?
Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is a chronic cutaneous disorder caused by excessive collagen deposition, and characterized by fat tissue atrophy and by thickening and hardening of the skin. Other diseases in the differential diagnosis include oxyuriasis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and morphea (4).