Scleroerma Flashcards
What are the two forms of scleroderma
localized (just affects skin)
systemic (can affect skin, jts, blood vessels, internal organs)
Who is scleroderma more common in
Women
African americans
What might scleroderma be associated with
occupational exposure to silica dust or polyvinyl chloride and meds
What is the etiology
unknown cause
certain cells produce too much collagen and is deposited in skin and internal organs
abnormal immune and inflammatory activity
not inherited
hormones
What is scleroderma
means hard skin
connective tissue disorder
stiffness and thickening of the skin
clinical manifestations of scleroderma
Raynauds Edema skin changes Sclerodactyly Telangiectasia Arthritis and muscle weakness Digestive problems Heart,lung, and kidney problems
What is raynauds
blood flow decreases in response to cold temp or stress
Where does raynauds occur mostly
fingers
What does the skin do in raynauds
changes from white to blue to red
goes back to normal once skin warms
when does edema occur
morning
warm weather
Characteristics of edema
swollen toes and fingers
skin appears shiny
skin creases disappear
difficulty making a fist
What skin changes occur in sleroderma
Hardening and thinking of skin
loss of hair over the affected area
changes in skin color
What is sclerodactyly
hardness of the fingers
What does sclerodactyly cause
difficult with finger flexion and extension
What is telangiectasia
blood vessels become dilated and show through the skin
