Scleroderma is one of a group of arthritic conditions called connective tissue disorders. In these disorders, a person's antibodies are directed against his or her own tissues.
Scleroderma is rare and progressive, leading to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues — the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body. Scleroderma usually starts with a few dry patches of skin on the hands or face that begin getting thicker and harder. These patches then spread to other areas of the skin. In fact, scleroderma literally means "hard skin."
This illness is more common in women than in men and more common in adults than in children.
It can run in families, but in most cases it occurs without any known family tendency for the disease. Scleroderma isn't considered contagious or cancerous, but it is a chronic condition and can greatly affect self-esteem and the ability to accomplish everyday tasks.
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