Question
Is dry and hard skin a symptom of scleroderma?
Answer
The symptoms of systemic sclerosis include mild epidermal hyperkeratosis, atrophy of the stratum spinosum, increased melanin in basal layer cells, flattening of the dermal papillary layer, hyperplasia and thickening of dermal collagen fibers, reduction of skin appendages, and a lymphocytic infiltration around the skin appendages and small blood vessels. These symptoms lead to the skin becoming stiff, most commonly in the hands and feet, and may lead to systemic skin stiffness in severe cases. In addition, internal organ diseases such as difficulty swallowing, esophageal reflux, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, pericardial effusion, and renal insufficiency may also be present.