Tight, thick shiny skin affects all scleroderma sufferers to some degree. In diffuse disease any area of the skin may be involved, whereas in limited scleroderma only the hands, forearms, feet and face are affected. The active phase of the disease i.e. when the excess collagen is being produced usually lasts for about the first 4 - 5 years and thereafter the skin thickening tends to stabilise and eventually, in most patients, will start to soften. Obviously with intervention [medication] it is hoped to stabilise the disease earlier.
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