| Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease involving | | | | your hands and face, swelling of the esophagus, the |
| skin, blood vessels and the immune system. In its | | | | tube between your throat and stomach, calcium |
| systemic form, internal organ involvement can | | | | deposits in connective tissues and Raynaud’s |
| happen. Scleroderma is a fairly rare disorder in | | | | phenomenon, narrowing of blood vessels in the hands |
| children. This rare disease affects approximately | | | | or feet. There are a number of treatments Juvenile |
| 5,000 to 7,000 children. There are two main types. | | | | Scleroderma available. |
| Localized scleroderma affects only your skin. | | | | Treatment of scleroderma is directed toward the |
| Systemic scleroderma affects your blood vessels and | | | | individual attribute affecting dissimilar areas of the |
| internal organs, as well as your skin. Children who | | | | body. The most common medications used to treat |
| suffer from JSD may experience a variety of | | | | symptoms of JSD are chemotherapy, corticosteroids, |
| emotions. They may be confused by their illness, and | | | | and immunosuppressants. Colchicine can be helpful in |
| angry they are sick, especially if their illness puts limits | | | | decreasing the inflammation and tenderness that |
| on their activities. | | | | periodically accompanies the calcinosis nodules in the |
| When the future is vague they may become | | | | skin. Skin itching can be alleviating with lotions |
| frustrated, worried, and/or depressed. The often | | | | (emollients) such as Eucerin and Lubriderm. |
| visible changes in appearance may be mainly hard for | | | | Telangiectasias, such as those on the face, can be |
| children to handle, since they may lead to teasing by | | | | treated with local laser therapy. Sun exposure should |
| other children and are a every day reminder of the | | | | be minimized as it can worsen telangiectasias. |
| illness. Symptoms of scleroderma include red spots on | | | | |