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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffLimited scleroderma has no known cure. Treatment focuses on relieving signs and symptoms and preventing complications.
Medications
- Antacid drugs. If limited scleroderma is giving you heartburn, your doctor may suggest drugs that reduce the production of stomach acid.
- Blood pressure lowering drugs. Medications that open small blood vessels and increase circulation may help relieve Raynaud's symptoms and reduce increased pressure in the arteries between the heart and lungs.
- Drugs to suppress the immune system. These types of medications have shown promise in preventing interstitial lung disease, a condition in which excess collagen collects in the tissue between the lungs' air sacs, in some people with limited scleroderma.
Therapy
- Physical therapy. Stretching exercises are very important to help prevent loss of mobility in your finger joints. A physical therapist can also show you facial exercises that may help keep your face and mouth flexible as well.
- Occupational therapy. If limited scleroderma is making it difficult for you to perform daily tasks, an occupational therapist can help you learn new ways of doing things. For example, special toothbrushes and flossing devices can make it easier for you to care for your teeth.
Surgery
- Calcium deposits. Large or painful calcium deposits are sometimes surgically removed.
- Red spots or lines. Laser surgery can reduce the appearance of red spots or lines, caused by swollen blood vessels near the surface of the skin.
- Gangrene in fingers. Amputation of fingertips may be necessary if skin ulcers progress to gangrene.
References
- Handout on health: Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Steen VD. The many faces of scleroderma. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;34:1.
- Wigley FM. Scleroderma. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126871837-5/818551240/1492/1032.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50293-7--cesec9_13002. Accessed March 19, 2009.
- Raynaud's phenomenon. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Raynauds_Phenomenon/default.asp. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2060161&content_id={4350F20F-98E4-403B-A33B-68B20A3C2FBA}¬oc=1. Accessed March 19, 2009.
- Pulmonary hypertension. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pah/pah_what.html. Accessed March 19, 2009.
- Denton CP. Overview of the treatment and prognosis of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 20, 2009.
