Can a dermatologist diagnose scleroderma?

Doctors who most commonly diagnose scleroderma are dermatologists and rheumatologists. Dermatologists have expertise in diagnosing diseases that affect the skin, and rheumatologists specialize in diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones.

What blood tests are used to diagnose scleroderma?

A blood test alone cannot diagnose scleroderma. Depending on the clinical situation, additional tests may be done, such as: Pulmonary function tests or breathing tests to measure how well the lungs are working. CT chest scan may also be ordered to evaluate the extent of lung involvement.

What can mimic scleroderma?

However, similar features of hard and thick skin can be seen in other conditions which are often referred to as “scleroderma mimics”. These mimics include eosinophilic fasciitis, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, scleromyxedema, and scleredema among others.

What does a scleroderma flare feel like?

Your fingertips may change colour (usually white to blue/purple, then to red), get very cold and sometimes hurt or feel numb. They may also develop red, swollen areas which are painful to touch (sometimes called chilblains)11 often in cold weather or when you are stressed.

Can scleroderma be seen on MRI?

Conclusion: In patients with systemic scleroderma experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms, whole-body MRI is able to detect involvement of muscles, fasciae, joints and entheses more confidently compared with clinical and laboratory parameters.

Does scleroderma show up on MRI?

What is a thermography test for scleroderma?

Thermography test for Raynaud’s This test is performed by means of a state-of-the-art infra-red camera that sees the heat generated by the human body and translates it into colour scale which can map a patient’s skin temperature.

What are the signs and symptoms of systemic sclerosis?

(Scleroderma) Systemic sclerosis is a rare, chronic autoimmune rheumatic disorder characterized by degenerative changes and scarring in the skin, joints, and internal organs and by blood vessel abnormalities. Swelling of the fingers, intermittent coolness and blue discoloration of the fingers, joints freezing in permanent (usually flexed)…

Can a person with CREST syndrome have systemic sclerosis?

Symptoms of systemic sclerosis may occur as part of mixed connective tissue disease, and some people with mixed connective tissue disease ultimately develop severe systemic sclerosis. Limited systemic sclerosis affects just the skin or mainly only certain parts of the skin and is also called CREST syndrome.

What are the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

1 Overview. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-my-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), or ALS, is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. 2 Symptoms. 3 Causes. 4 Risk factors. 5 Complications.

What’s the difference between scleroderma and systemic sclerosis?

Scleroderma is a group of conditions affecting approximately 300,000 people in the United States. When scleroderma only affects the skin, it is considered “localized.” However, if it affects the skin and internal organs, it is viewed as “systemic,” also called Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).