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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffScleroderma has no known cure — no drug will stop the overproduction of collagen. But the localized variety of scleroderma sometimes resolves on its own. And a variety of medications can help control the symptoms of scleroderma or help prevent complications.
Medications
- Dilating the blood vessels. Blood pressure medications that dilate blood vessels may help prevent lung and kidney problems and may help treat Raynaud's disease.
- Suppressing the immune system. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as those taken after organ transplants, may help reduce scleroderma symptoms.
Therapy
- Physical or occupational therapy. Therapists can help you manage pain, improve your strength and mobility, and work on performing essential daily tasks to maintain your independence.
- Cosmetic procedures. The appearance of skin lesions associated with scleroderma may be helped by exposure to ultraviolet light. Laser surgery also may help camouflage or eliminate these lesions.
Surgery
- Amputation. If finger ulcers caused by severe Raynaud's disease have developed gangrene, amputation may be necessary.
- Lung transplants. People who have developed high blood pressure in the arteries to their lungs (pulmonary hypertension) may be candidates for lung transplants.
- Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
- Hummers LK, et al. Scleroderma. In: Imboden JB, et al. Current Rheumatology Diagnosis and Treatment. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2725959. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
- Denton CP. Classification of scleroderma disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
- Varga J. Risk factors for and possible causes of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). http://www.uptodate.com/index.html. Accessed Aug. 6, 2008.
- Varga J. Overview of the clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index.html. Accessed Aug. 6, 2008.
- What is a rheumatologist? American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/rheumatologist.asp?aud=pat. Accessed Aug. 6, 2008.
