Scleroderma is derived from the Greek words "sklerosis," meaning hardness, and "derma," meaning skin. Therefore, scleroderma literally means "hard skin." In most people, early symptoms include swelling and puffiness of the fingers or hands and Raynaud's phenomenon (a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose). For some people, scleroderma is fairly mild and resolves with time. However, others find that living with the disease has a significant effect on their quality of life.