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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Morphea is a form of scleroderma, a term that literally means "hard skin." Signs of morphea include:
- Hardening and thickening of the skin.
- Discoloration of the affected skin to look lighter or darker than the surrounding area.
- Oval-shaped patches that may change colors and gradually develop a whitish center.
- Linear patches, especially when on arms and legs
- Loss of hair and sweat glands in the affected area over time.
Morphea usually affects only the uppermost layers of your skin (the dermis and the superficial fatty tissue beneath the dermis). In some cases, morphea may involve the deeper fatty tissue or the connective tissue (fascia or muscle) below your skin. The condition generally lasts several years and then disappears on its own. However, it usually leaves patches of darkened or discolored skin.
When to see a doctor
If you notice patches of discoloring, hardening or thickening skin, see your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment may help slow the development of new patches, and allow your doctor to identify and treat complications before they worsen.
- Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2968193. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Localized scleroderma. Scleroderma Foundation. http://www.scleroderma.org/pdf/Medical_Brochures/Localized.pdf. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Badea I, et al. Pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches for improved topical treatment in localized scleroderma and systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology. 2009;48:213.
- Morphea. National Institutes of Health. http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/10485/Morphea.aspx. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Valanclene G, et al. Pathogenesis and treatment modalities of localized scleroderma. Medicina (Kaunas). 2010;46:649.
- Fett NM. Morphea: Evidence-based recommendations for treatment. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2012;78:135.
- Zancanaro PCQ, et al. Localized scleroderma in children: Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. 2009;84:1.
- Mild psoriasis: Non-steroidal prescription topical treatments. National Psoriasis Foundation. http://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/topicals/non-steroid. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Prednisone. PubMed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000091/. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Plaquenil (prescribing information). Bridgewater, N.J.: Sanofi-Aventis; 2006. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/009768s041lbl.pdf. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Neoral (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/050715s028,050716s029lbl.pdf. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/medications/methotrexate.asp. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
- Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=ND. Accessed Aug. 7, 2012.
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