The word scleroderma is derived from a Greek word “sclero”, which means hard and “derma”, which means skin. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by hardening and thickening of skin, connective tissues and blood vessels. Scleroderma can be localized or generalized (systemic). Systemic scleroderma affects different organs, tissues and blood vessels.

Localized scleroderma mainly affects the skin. Localized scleroderma is further classified into two- Morphea and Linear scleroderma. Morphea is characterized by reddish patches on the skin, which later harden into ivory colored oval shaped areas with purple borders. In linear scleroderma, a single line or band of skin becomes thick and abnormally colored. Systemic scleroderma is of two types – limited and diffuse. Limited scleroderma progresses slowly and affects the skin in areas like the fingers, hands, arms and legs. Diffuse scleroderma progresses rapidly and affects the skin of the trunk, thighs, hands, legs, face etc. There are several factors associated with this disease; they are: genetic factors, immune system disorders, environmental factors and so on. The symptoms of scleroderma may be confused with that of other conditions like eosinophilic fasciitis , skin thickening on the fingers and hands associated with diabetes, celiac disease etc, Raynaud’s phenomenon and so on.