What is scleroderma?

Hard skin: Scleroderma literally means "hard skin." it is a connective tissue disease that primarily involves the skin which becomes fibrotic (hardened). Changes also may occur in the blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The disease involves autoimmunity whereby the immune system attacks the normal tissues of the body. The cause is unknown.

Autoimmune dysfuncti: The body gets confused at times: frequently it correlates with low vit d status + et cetera's that are not defined presently. If u take that word apart, it means scarring/stiffening of the skin. But this is a disease througout the body, especially including skin & digestive tract which then don't work correctly. It is related to lupus (sle) , rheumatoid arthitis and is a "collagen vascular disorde.

Hard Skin: In Scleroderma, autoimmune inflammation leads to fibrosis, thickening and tightening of the skin. In some cases, only the hands are affected, making fingers appear claw-like. In other cases, the arms, legs, upper back and face can also be affected. Other symptoms include Raynaud's, acid reflux from esophageal dysmotility; shortness of breath from lung fibrosis and increased pressure on the heart.