Scleroderma is a disorder that causes abnormal tissue hardening and primarily affects the skin. Scleroderma is acknowledged as an autoimmune disease that damages blood vessels and makes tissues produce an excessive amount of collagen, despite the fact that its exact source is unknown. The fibrous connective tissue of the skin, bones, tendons, and internal organs, including the heart, lung function, liver, and kidneys, all contain a protein called collagen. The severity of the sickness is thus determined by the affected bodily systems. Overproduction of collagen causes the affected areas to harden, which impairs the affected organ’s or part’s ability to function normally.

 

Introduction:

 

Skin, connective cells, and internal organs are all impacted by the chronic disease scleroderma. It happens when your body makes too much collagen, a protein that is necessary for healthy skin. As a result, your skin gets tight and thick, and you can get scarring in your kidneys and lungs. Your blood vessels could become rigid and stop working properly. Scleroderma is not infectious or contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else. Scleroderma comes in two forms:

Localized scleroderma. It takes one of two shapes:

• Your skin will develop rough, oval-shaped spots as a result. They are initially red or purple before turning whitish in the middle. This type can occasionally harm internal organs or blood vessels. We refer to this as generalized morphea.
• Your arms, legs, or face may develop lines or streaks of thicker skin due to this type.

Scleroderma with limited involvement. Your face, hands, and feet are all affected by this gradually developing condition. The esophagus, the tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach, as well as your lungs, intestines, and other organs, may also suffer harm. It’s also known as CREST syndrome.

 

Causes:

 

Scleroderma is brought on by an excessive buildup of collagen in human tissues. Collagen is a fibrous type of protein that is found in your skin and other connective tissues throughout your body. The immune system of the body appears to be engaged in this process, despite the fact that specialists are unaware of the precise cause. Most likely, a combination of immune system dysfunction, hereditary factors, and environmental stresses causes scleroderma. Although it is not always the case, a hereditary component may, at some point in life, cause the illness to manifest.

 

Signs and Symptoms:

 

• Face, chest, back, and midriff skin thickening
• A skin inflammation that has progressed
• Organ infections, such as those of the esophagus, lungs, bowels, ears, and kidneys
• The lower two-thirds of the esophagus become improperly functioning when scleroderma affects it, allowing stomach acid to overflow. It gives you heartburn.
• The skin on the fingers or toes may thicken as a result of scleroderma, giving them a puffy or somewhat bloated appearance. They could feel restricted in their movement as a result.
• Tiny red spots show up when scleroderma affects the face, hands, or mouth area. The name of this condition is telangiectasia.
• Occasionally, a side effect of high B.P.
• The symptoms of scleroderma can differ depending on which organs are affected.
• It is known as Raynaud’s phenomenon when the arteries that supply blood to the fingers, toes, nose, ears, and tongue spasm, and the affected parts can turn red when exposed to abrupt or excessive temperature changes and circumstances.

 

Diagnosis:

 

A scleroderma diagnosis is not usually straightforward. Scleroderma may first be confused for lupus or rheumatoid arthritis since it can affect other areas of the body, such as the joints. Your doctor will do an exhaustive physical exam following a discussion of the medical background of your family. He or she will be on the lookout for any of the indications listed above while doing this, particularly any skin darkening or thickness around the tips of the fingers and toes. Tests will be prescribed if scleroderma appears to exist in order to validate the diagnosis and assess the disease’s severity. These tests could consist of:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Blood tests
• Gastrointestinal tests
• Kidney function
• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram

 

Homeopathic Treatment for Scleroderma:

 

Homeopathy is a healing and skin-health-restoring force. A person is treated as a whole. There is constitutional treatment. This suggests that homeopathy treats the individual being treated as a whole person while also managing the patient’s pathological condition. It balances the energy system and improves physical functions like immunity. It naturally treats the disorder’s underlying cause. Here are some instances of homeopathic remedies for scleroderma:

• Scleroderma patients experiencing unbearable itching while warm in bed can find relief with alumina. Scratch your dry, chapped skin until it bleeds. The patients endure esophageal constriction. Along with this illness, severe constipation is frequently observed.
• Patients with scleroderma who suffer from arthritis should take rus tox and Bryonia. In contrast to Rhus tox, Bryonia’s discomfort is relieved by resting. Bryonia suffers from severe constipation.
• For scleroderma with thickening of the skin and horny scales, ranunculus bulbosus is advised. Burning and severe itching exist, made worse by contact. Chapped palms and fingertips.
• Scleroderma can be effectively treated with hydrocoele. It is recommended when the skin starts to swell like an elephant’s. Epidermal layer thickening and scale exfoliation are both significant.  unbearable skin itching, especially on the soles.
• One of the most effective treatments for scleroderma is antimonial crude. It is recommended when the skin starts to thicken, harden, and turn honey-colored. Another symptom is skin itching, which is greater at night and occurs when you’re warm in bed.
• Burning, itching, swelling, and redness on the skin are signs of Agaricus. When blood flow to the fingers and toes is hampered after exposure to a cold environment, it is a sign. This causes the fingers and toes to become numb, cold, and bluish.
• When your fingers and toes get extremely cold and numb, you may have sepal cor. Other signs include formication and tingling in the fingers and toes.
• Skin that is thickened can benefit from thiosinaminum. The thickened skin is removed using thiosinaminum.
• Patients with scleroderma who have heart involvement can benefit from crataegus because it is a heart tonic. Healthy circulation is supported by crataegus.

 

Precautions For Scleroderma

 

• Heartburn-causing foods should be avoided.
• Consuming water or another drink to further soften meals.
• Consuming meals high in fiber reduces constipation.
• Eating more frequent, smaller meals rather than three large ones. As a result, the body finds it simpler to digest the meal. Wait at least four hours before resting after a substantial meal.
• Placing bricks or blocks underneath the head of your bed will raise it by around six inches. By doing this, you can stop stomach acid from penetrating your esophagus as you sleep.
• Getting enough rest and sleep.
• If possible, stay away from stressful circumstances.
• Consume a balanced diet.
• Learn how to manage your worries and concerns.