Health Tip: Scleroderma Characterized by Hardening of the Skin

(HealthDay News) -- Scleroderma, an autoimmune disorder whose primary symptom is hardening of the skin, affects up to four times as many women than men. It also tends to strike people between ages 25 and 55, although it can occur at any age.

The cause of scleroderma is unknown, says the Scleroderma Foundation. The severity of the disease depends on which body parts are affected, and how early and appropriately the condition is treated.

Treatments often are directed at individual symptoms, including gastrointestinal problems, joint pain and high blood pressure.

Scleroderma, affecting about 300,000 people in the United States, isn''t infectious, contagious or cancerous, the foundation says.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: June 6, 2006