Systemic sclerosis. DermNet NZ

Systemic sclerosis. DermNet NZ


This link is very good. Here is the part I needed most.

Other skin changes include:

Itchy skin
Thickening of the skin of the fingers, then atrophy (thinned) and sclerosis (scarring). The fingers become spindle-shaped (sclerodactyly) from resorption of the fingertips.
Fragile nails become smaller with ragged cuticles
Taut, shiny skin that may have dark or pale patches (hyper- or hypopigmentation). The tight skin may affect most parts of the body, including the face, resulting in loss of expression and difficulty opening the mouth properly.
Visibly dilated blood vessels (telangiectases) appear on the fingers, palms, face, lips, tongue and chest.
Calcinosis (calcium deposits) develops in the skin, particularly the fingers, hands and other bony areas. These can breakdown and discharge chalky material.
Ulcers may follow minor injuries over the joints, or on the tips of fingers and toes where the circulation is poor. Ulceration can lead to dry gangrene and eventual loss of the tips of the fingers (like frost bite).
Ulcers may also arise over calcinosis and on the lower legs.
Sicca symptoms (dry eyes, dry mouth) and Sjogren syndrome
In addition to the skin changes, the disease affects many other organs. Problems that may occur include:

Friction rubs over the joints and tendons, particularly the knees.
Eye changes with tightness of lids, reduced tear secretion, retinopathy
Joint pain, muscle pain and weakness and limited movement resulting in contractures.
The digestive tract may be affected throughout its length. Oesophageal reflux is common causing difficulty in swallowing solid and liquid food. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, weight loss, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, constipation and bleeding.
Lung and heart involvement may manifest as shortness of breath, high blood pressure, chest pain, pleurisy, pneumothorax, pericarditis arrhythmias, general heart enlargement and heart failure.
Progressive kidney disease resulting in proteinuria, high blood pressure and eventually renal failure.