Scleroderma is a systemic connective tissue disease. Its etiology is related to genetic and immune abnormalities, and it is more common in women of childbearing age. Clinical manifestations are localized or diffuse skin thickening and fibrosis, and connective tissue diseases involving heart, lung, kidney, digestive tract and other internal organs. According to the degree of skin lesions and the involved parts, they can be divided into localized and systemic types. Localized scleroderma is mainly manifested as skin sclerosis; Systemic scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, can involve skin, synovium and internal organs, especially gastrointestinal tract, lung, kidney, heart, blood vessels and skeletal muscle system, causing dysfunction of corresponding organs. It can occur at all ages, but the peak is between 20 and 50 years old. The incidence of female is 3 ~ 4 times that of male. The treatment principle is early warming, anti-inflammation, anticoagulation and vasodilation, and oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine.

There are two kinds of scleroderma, localized scleroderma and systemic scleroderma.

First, localized scleroderma: also known as scleroderma, is a chronic skin disease, characterized by local skin swelling, followed by hardening and atrophy. It can be shown as round, oval and irregular strip patches, which are reddish or purplish red. At first, it was slightly swollen, then it developed and expanded, and the color turned pale yellow or pale white. The surface is smooth and hard, and the boundary is clear. More common in women, more common in the side chest and thighs. Occurs on the forehead, often accompanied by facial atrophy. Localized fecal disease can exist in multiple pieces at the same time and occasionally spread to the whole body. This type can be injected locally or rubbed with corticosteroids, ointment made of traditional Chinese medicine, or combined with local physical therapy. Vitamin e, salvia miltiorrhiza, angelica sinensis and other blood-activating drugs can be used all over the body.

Second, systemic scleroderma: also known as progressive systemic sclerosis. This type is serious, and it is a chronic progressive disease with symmetrical skin stiffness and toe ischemia, accompanied by joint and muscle injuries. There are two types: acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma. The former is mainly located at the extremity and has a good prognosis. Most of the skin of the latter has become thick, often invading internal organs, and the prognosis is poor.