Is scleroderma contagious and transmitted from person to person?

No, scleroderma is not a contagious disease and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. It is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the skin and internal organs, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to excessive collagen production and accumulation. This accumulation causes hardening and tightening of the skin and other tissues [1].

What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a group of rare diseases that cause inflammation and hardening of the skin and other areas of the body. It is believed that the immune system reacts excessively, leading to inflammation and damage to cells lining blood vessels. This stimulates connective tissue cells, especially fibroblasts, to produce an excessive amount of collagen and other proteins. Fibroblasts live longer than usual, leading to the accumulation of collagen in the skin and other organs, causing the signs and symptoms of scleroderma [2].

Types of scleroderma

There are two main types of scleroderma:

• Localized Scleroderma: This type affects only the skin and the muscles and tissues directly underneath. It can appear as hard, oval-shaped patches (called morphea) or thick bands of skin (linear scleroderma) [1]. This type is often less severe and does not affect internal organs [2].
• Systemic Scleroderma (or Systemic Sclerosis): This type is more serious and can affect many parts of the body, including blood vessels and internal organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system [1]. This type is further divided into two subtypes, limited and diffuse, based on how widespread the scleroderma is in the body [2].

Causes and risk factors

The exact cause of scleroderma is unknown, but researchers believe several factors may play a role in its development [1]:

• Genetic factors: Some genes may increase the chance of developing scleroderma and may play a role in determining the type of scleroderma a person develops. However, the disease is not passed directly from parents to children, but first-degree relatives of people with scleroderma have a higher risk of developing it [2].
• Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals or viruses may trigger the disease [1].
• Changes in the immune system: When immune system function changes, it can stimulate cells to produce too much collagen in the body [1].
• Hormones: The disease is more common in women than in men, suggesting that hormonal or immune differences between the sexes may play a role [2].

Diagnosis and treatment

There is no single test to diagnose scleroderma, as symptoms can vary from person to person and resemble symptoms of other diseases [1]. A doctor assesses symptoms and medical history, performs a physical examination, and may order blood tests such as the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test [3], a skin biopsy, or imaging tests to check for organ damage [1].

There is no cure for scleroderma, but available treatments aim to manage symptoms and limit further damage. Treatments may include medications to reduce swelling, manage pain, control other symptoms, and prevent complications. Physical and occupational therapy can also help relieve pain and improve muscle strength [1].

It is important to follow up with a rheumatologist, and the patient may need to visit other specialists if there is organ damage [1]. For more information about this disease, you can visit Scleroderma: An autoimmune disease affecting the skin and internal organs (Arabic).

Medical references

• Scleroderma
• Scleroderma
• ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test