Description

Morphea (mor-FEE-uh) is a rare disease that causes painless, discolored patches on your skin.

Normally, changes in the skin occur in the abdomen, chest or back. But they can also appear on the face, arms and legs. Over time the patches may become firm, dry and smooth. Morphea tends to affect only the outer layers of the skin. But some forms of the disease also affects the deeper tissues and can restrict movement in the joints.

Morphea usually improves on its own over time, although relapses are frequent. In the meantime, the medications and therapies are available to help treat the discoloration of the skin and other effects.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of morphea vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. They include:

  • Reddish or purplish oval patches of skin, often on the belly, chest, or back
  • The patches gradually develop a more clear or whitish center
  • Linear patches, especially on the arms or legs, and, possibly, the forehead or scalp
  • A gradual change in the affected skin, which becomes firm, thick, dry, and bright

Morphea affects the skin and the underlying tissue and sometimes bone. The condition usually lasts for several years, and then improving or sometimes goes away by itself. You can leave scars or dark spots or discoloration of the skin. It is possible that morphea repeated.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you notice reddish patches of hardening or thickening of the skin. The early diagnosis and treatment can help to slow the development of new patches and allows your doctor to identify and treat complications before they become worse.

Causes

The cause of morphea is unknown. It can be caused by an unusual reaction of your immune system. In people at increased risk of morphea, could be triggered by an injury in the affected area, drugs, chemical toxins, infection, or radiation therapy.

The condition is not contagious.

Risk factors

There are certain factors that can affect your risk of developing morphea, including:

  • The white and female. Morphea is more common in white women.
  • Age. The condition can affect people of any age. It usually appears between the ages of 2 and 14, or in the mid-40s.
  • A family history of morphea. This condition can be hereditary. People with morphea are more likely to have a family history of morphea and other autoimmune diseases.

Complications

Morphea can cause a number of complications, including:

  • Self-esteem issues. Morphea can have a negative effect on your self-esteem and body image, especially if you are discolored patches of skin on the arms, legs or face.
  • The movement problems. Morphea that affects the arms or legs can affect the mobility of the joint.
  • Large areas of hardened skin color. Many new patches of hardened, the color of the skin may seem to join, a condition known as morphea, generalized.
  • The loss of hair and sweat glands. With time, you may lose the hair and the sweat glands in the affected area.
  • Damage to the eyes. Children with head and neck morphea may experience imperceptible but permanent damage to the eyes.

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose the morphea by examining the affected skin and ask about your signs and symptoms. Your doctor may also take a small sample of skin (skin biopsy) for examination in a laboratory. This can reveal the changes in the skin, such as the thickening of a protein (collagen) in the second layer of skin (dermis). The collagen in connective tissues, including the skin. Helps your skin elastic and resistant.

It is important to distinguish morphea scleroderma systemic and other conditions. So, your doctor might have to undergo a blood test or refer you to a specialist in skin disorders (dermatologist), or diseases of the joints, bones and muscles (rheumatologist).

If your child has head and neck morphea, take him or her for regular comprehensive eye exams, as morphea can cause imperceptible however irreversible damage to the eyes.

You could undergo the ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to monitor disease progression and response to treatment.

Treatment

Morphea usually lasts for several years and then goes away without treatment. You can leave scars or dark spots or discoloration of the skin. Until your condition improves, you may want to search for a treatment that helps to control your signs and symptoms.

The treatment options vary depending on the extent of your disease and how it is affecting your life. They include:

  • Creams medicadas.Su doctor may prescribe a cream with vitamin D, such as calcipotriene, to help soften the skin in patches. The skin usually begins to improve during the first few months of treatment. Possible side effects include burning, itching, and a rash. Or your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to reduce inflammation. When used for a long time, these creams can thin the skin.
  • The light therapy. Serious or morphea, generalized, the treatment may include the use of ultraviolet light (uv).
  • Oral medications. Serious or morphea, generalized, your doctor may prescribe an immunosuppressive drug, such as methotrexate, oral (Trexall), corticosteroid tablets or both. Or your doctor may suggest hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), or mycophenolate mofetil. Each one of these drugs have potential side effects. Talk with your doctor about a drug's risks and benefits before using it.
  • The physical therapy. If the disease affects the joints, physical therapy can preserve your range of motion.

Medicated creams. Your doctor may prescribe a cream with vitamin D, such as calcipotriene, to help soften the skin in patches. The skin usually begins to improve during the first few months of treatment. Possible side effects include burning, itching, and a rash.

Or your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to reduce inflammation. When used for a long time, these creams can thin the skin.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Because morphea is dry the affected skin, moisturizers can help soothe and improve the appearance of your skin. It is a good idea to avoid long, hot showers or baths, as these can dry your skin.

Coping and support

Because morphea affects your appearance, it can be an especially difficult condition to live. You also may be worried that it's going to get worse before it disappears.

If you want advice or support, ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional, or information about support groups in your area or online.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your primary care physician. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist) or a specialist in diseases of the joints, bones and muscles (rheumatologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms that you've had and for how long
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your doctor

For morphea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • Do I need any tests?
  • How much time do these changes in the skin for the last time?
  • If the discoloration of the skin and tightening it clears, you can go back?
  • What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
  • What side effects can I expect from treatment?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • What can I do to improve my appearance?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice the change in your skin?
  • Has this ever happened before?
  • Make the changes that come and go or are they constant?
  • What measures have been adopted for the treatment of this condition yourself?
  • Any of these measures helped?
  • Have you ever been treated by a doctor for this condition?
  • If so, what are the treatments? Do they help?
  • Have you had any difficulty with chewing food, or swallowing?
  • Have you experience extreme sensitivity to cold in the fingers or toes?
  • Have you noticed any other changes in your health in general?
Symptoms and treatment of Morphea