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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Morphea can cause a number of complications, including:

  • Self-esteem issues. Morphea can have a negative effect on your self-esteem and body image, particularly if discolored patches of skin appear on your arms, legs or face. Though your skin will likely soften and become less obviously discolored over time, some discoloration may last for years.
  • Movement problems. Morphea that affects the arms and legs can impair joint mobility. The pain may subside in the following months or years, even if discolored patches of skin remain.
  • Widespread areas of hardened, discolored skin. Sometimes new patches of hard, discolored skin appear in such numbers that some may seem to join together. This more extensive condition is called generalized morphea.
Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
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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