Fact

• Systemic sclerosis is a form of scleroderma. The terms are often used interchangeably.
  
  

Features

• Systemic sclerosis causes hardening and thickening of the skin. It also affects blood vessels and tissue surrounding internal organs. According to Merck.com, the cause of the disease is unknown. In severe cases, systemic sclerosis causes damage throughout the entire body.
  
  

Signs

• The first signs of the disease include swelling, thickening and tightening of the skin. Aches and pains in the joints are common. Difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath are also common signs.
  
  

Significance

• According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, systemic sclerosis appears more often in African Americans than in people of European descent. It is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age. Also, women get the disease more often than men.
  
  

Considerations

• Systemic sclerosis always harms the skin, but it can also damage the internal organs. In addition to skin problems, a person with the disease might have problems with the heart, kidneys, lungs, teeth, speech and movement.
  
  

Treatment

• No treatment is available to stop or cure systemic sclerosis. The only option is to treat the symptoms and organ damage caused by the disease.