June 29 is the World Scleroderma DayIt is a rare and little-known disease that causes alterations in the vascular system, connective tissue and immune system.
· It is a rheumatic, chronic and autoimmune condition, which produces disability and affects women to a greater extent.
· It is characterized by the hardening of tissues.
· So far its causes are not known; There is no complete cure either, but effective treatments are available to stop its progress and control some symptoms.
It is a disease that is difficult to diagnose, since it presents a wide diversity of symptoms and clinical and biochemical characteristics that vary in their evolution depending on the patient.
Characteristics
Scleroderma means “hardened skin.” This hardening may be limited to the skin, in mild cases, but it can also affect blood vessels, muscles or internal organs, such as lungs, heart, kidneys, intestine, etc.
In a person with scleroderma, the skin loses its elasticity, hardens, and the fingers take on a bluish color, especially when they come into contact with cold, which is known as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Other symptoms may be: weight loss, fatigue, hair loss, bone and muscle pain.
Given the change in color in the fingers of the hands, mainly associated with cold, it is recommended to consult a doctor to have an early diagnosis, since this phenomenon precedes the development of scleroderma.
· The disease can appear at any age, in 3 out of every 10 thousand people.
· In 70%, it affects young women.
· It is estimated that in Argentina there are around 40 thousand patients with this pathology.
· The cause is unknown, although occupational exposure to silica dust and polyvinyl chloride is considered a risk factor.
· There is no treatment that can cure the disease.
Talk and diagnosis
On Friday the 27th there will be an informative talk on scleroderma and the disease will be detected at the Señor del Milagro hospital. People who have observed color changes in their fingers or toes are especially invited.
The activity will take place from 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the hospital, led by professionals from the Rheumatology program, with the participation of the Mutual Aid group for Rheumatoid Arthritics (AMAR Salta).
The detection of scleroderma is carried out through capillaroscopy, a non-invasive technique, which allows direct images of the skin microcirculation to be obtained, with which microvascular abnormalities can be observed.
In the Rheumatology program at the Señor del Milagro hospital there are 8 rheumatologist doctors and three who are doing residency in the specialty. Care in outpatient clinics is provided from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Appointments must be managed through the toll-free number 148 24 hours a day. They can also be requested through the line 0800 777 6452, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Maternal and child Hospital
Although scleroderma is a pathology that occurs more frequently in adults, children can also be affected, which is why the Maternal and Child Hospital has professionals specialized in children’s rheumatology.
This hospital is a provincial reference centre for paediatric care for children with scleroderma, specifically localised scleroderma or morphea. In the last five years, 9 patients, including children and adolescents, have been diagnosed with this condition, from different locations in the province.
The children’s rheumatology team, made up of two specialists, works collaboratively with dermatologists and other specialists to offer personalized treatments. These treatments may include topical therapies, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, depending on the individual needs of each patient.
In addition, the Mental Health team intervenes to support children with scleroderma in the management of long-term physical and emotional sequelae, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the care of these patients.
