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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

The exact cause of morphea is unknown, though doctors do know it's not contagious. It's believed that an unusual reaction of the immune system plays a role in the development of this condition.

Possible associations with the onset of morphea include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Repeated trauma to the affected area
  • A recent infection, such as measles or chickenpox
Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Falanga V, et al. Morphea. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2003. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2968193. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  2. Localized scleroderma. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Maryland Heights, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00026-2--s0690&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00026-2--s0695&uniq=191199955&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=973634049. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  3. Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  4. Localized scleroderma. Scleroderma Foundation. http://www.scleroderma.org/pdf/Medical_Brochures/Localized.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  5. Dovonex (prescribing information). Dublin, Ireland: Leo Laboratories; 2007. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/020611s007,020554s007,020273s009lbl.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  6. Prednisone. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed March 26, 2010.
  7. Franks AG. Skin manifestations of internal disease. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93:1265.
  8. Plaquenil (prescribing information). Bridgewater, N.J.: Sanofi-Aventis; 2006. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/009768s041lbl.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  9. Neoral (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/050715s028,050716s029lbl.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  10. Methotrexate (prescribing information). Fort Lee, N.J.: Dava Pharmaceuticals; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/008085s063lbl.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  11. Yancey KB, et al. Immunologically mediated skin diseases. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2868360. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  12. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  13. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 30, 2010.
DS00718 May 6, 2010

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