Crest Syndrome is a condition that primarily affects the skin and causes aberrant tissue hardening. Although the actual cause of Crest Syndrome is uncertain, it is recognized as an autoimmune illness that destroys blood vessels and causes tissues to produce too much collagen. A protein called collagen is present in the connective tissues of the skin, joints, tendons, and internal organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, the biological systems that are impacted determine the severity of the disease. Overproduction of collagen causes the affected areas to harden, which impairs the affected organ or part’s ability to function normally.

Introduction:

Our skin, connective tissue, and internal organs are all affected by the chronic condition known as CREST Syndrome. It occurs when the protein collagen, a crucial component of our skin, is produced in excess by our body under the control of our immune system. Our skin becomes thick and tight as a result, and our kidneys and lungs may develop scarring. Despite the fact that it can also affect children, it is often thought to be a disease that affects people between the ages of 30 and 50.

Children present with diseases in quite different ways than adults. About 75% of cases are female, indicating a clear attraction for females. Crest is not communicable, infectious, or cancerous. It is believed that an autoimmune malfunction, in which the immune system begins to assault the chromosomes’ kinetochore, is what causes the excessive production of collagen.

This would cause adjacent genes to malfunction genetically. T cells build up in the skin and are considered to release cytokines and other proteins that promote the synthesis of collagen. Studies are coming together on the various causes of this effect, and excitation of the oocyte in particular appears to be essential to the illness process.

Early abnormalities in the development of scleroderma include damage to the endothelium, which also appears to be caused by collagen accumulation by fibroblasts, however direct cytokine changes, platelet adhesion, and a type II hypersensitivity reaction have all been linked.

Causes:

Limited Crest Syndrome is thought to be an autoimmune condition, in which the body’s immune system rebels against itself, while the cause is unknown. Collagen, a crucial component of connective tissue, appears to be overproduced as a result of the immune system. The internal organs and skin get clogged with excess collagen, impairing their normal function.

Symptoms:

While certain forms of crest syndrome manifest quickly, symptoms and signs typically appear over time. They consist of:

• Tight, rigid skin: In cases of restricted Crest Syndrome, skin alterations normally only affect the lower arms and legs, including the fingers and toes, with the face and neck occasionally being an exception. When skin is pushed taut over underlying bone, it might appear glossy. It could become challenging to open your mouth or flex your fingers.
• The disorder known as Raynaud’s phenomenon is characterized by the spasming of the tiny blood vessels in the fingers and toes in reaction to mental or physical stress. Skin typically goes white before turning blue, chilly, and numb.
• Small calcium deposits (calcinosis) can form under our skin in the case of limited Crest Syndrome, most commonly on the elbows, knees, and fingers. These deposits, which can occasionally be painful or diseased, are visible and palpable.
• Having trouble swallowing: Limited Crest Syndrome frequently results in issues with the esophagus, the tube that joins the mouth and stomach. Heartburn, inflammation, and scarring of the esophageal tissues can result from the upper and lower esophageal muscles not working properly, which can also make swallowing challenging.
• Small red spots or lines on the skin are known as telangiectasias and are caused by the enlargement of microscopic blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. They mainly affect the hands and face, but they are not unpleasant.

Diagnosis:

Crest syndrome cannot be diagnosed by a single test. However, a skilled medical professional can identify this illness through a comprehensive past and present medical history as well as a clinical examination. Blood testing for ANA (Anti Nuclear Antibodies) aids in identifying the various kinds of Crest syndrome. The degree and severity of the condition must be determined during the diagnosis of Crest syndrome in order to develop an appropriate treatment strategy.

Homeopathic Treatment:

Homeopathy is a healing and skin-health-restoring force. There is constitutional treatment, and this implies that in addition to treating the patient’s pathological condition, homeopathy treats the patient as a whole person. It enhances immunity and bodily processes while balancing the energy system. It naturally treats the disorder’s underlying cause. The correct diagnosis of illness is essential, but in homeopathy, the cause of the ailment is not just evaluated at the viral and bacterial stages.

It is also looked at to see if there are any additional health risks, such as physical, mental, and emotional stress. Nowadays, even contemporary medicine labels a sizable number of illnesses as psychosomatic. The goal is to heal the ill individual and restore their health, not to cure the condition. Homeopathic treatments do offer hope for a cure if a disease’s pathology is not extremely advanced, but they can also significantly enhance the quality of life in circumstances where a cure is impossible. The following are a few examples of homeopathic treatments for CREST syndrome:

• Sepia
• Ipecac
• Sulph
• Barc C
• Grapg

The following drugs are used in the treatment of CREST syndrome using allopathic methods:

• Medicines that reduce blood pressure
• Immune system-suppressing medications
• Antacid medications

Precautions:

• Do not consume white bread, sugar, or other refined carbs.
• Eat less food heavy in fat.
• Consume only cholesterol-free unsaturated fats.
• Consume entire grains.
• Frequently consume fruit and veggies
• Stay away from chocolate, coffee, alcohol, spicy or fatty foods
• Do not consume white bread, sugar, or other refined carbs.
• Eat less food heavy in fat.