Problems That Scleroderma Treatment Addresses
- Raynaud's phenomenon
- Stiff, painful joints
- Skin problems
- Dental problems
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Lung damage
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Cosmetic problems.
Different people experience different problems with the disease, and not all
scleroderma treatments work equally well for all people. Your doctor can help you determine the best treatment for your specific symptoms.
(Click Scleroderma Symptoms for more information about symptoms associated with each type.)
Scleroderma Treatment for Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon is one of the most common problems of scleroderma. Treatment options that may make you more comfortable and help prevent problems associated with this include:
- Don't smoke. Smoking narrows the blood vessels even more and makes Raynaud's phenomenon worse.
- Dress warmly, with special attention to hands and feet. Dress in layers, and try to stay indoors during cold weather.
- Use biofeedback (to control various body processes that are not normally thought of as being under conscious control) and relaxation exercises.
Other drugs are in development and may become available in the future.
Increasing your dose of calcium channel blockers (under the direction of your doctor only) may help decrease skin sores and ulcers. You can also protect skin ulcers from further injury or infection by applying nitroglycerine paste or antibiotic cream. Severe ulcerations on the fingertips can be treated with bioengineered skin.
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