Scars in systemic sclerosis

[Sylviaherring]

Hi all. I have had scars on my forearms which look like little burns. They have been there a couple of years, however some of the scars on my right arm seem to be disappearing. Is this normal? Thanks in advance

[GGhere]

Hello Sylvia. I have those little marks on my arms. Mine are small round white marks that look almost like a cigarette burn. I have system sclerosis and scleroderma (and raynauds). My consultant said the scleroderma causes the skin to toughen and darken and the round white marks are where the pigmentation hasn't happened. I had noticed in recent years that my skin looks darker than it used to - in fact I look quite suntanned and people tell me how well I look which grates a little when I'm feeling so tired and listless. From my knee down over my feet my skin is even darker with one big white patch on one leg. Most odd - they look like they don't belong to me as the colour of my limbs don't match. Keep as well as you can and it's so nice to meet you.

[Sylviaherring in reply to GGhere]

Hi bestie. Thank you for your reply. Have any of your scars ever disappeared? Mine also look like cigarette burns ! I was only very recently diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and secondary raynauds so still trying to find my way round stuff !

[GGhere in reply to Sylviaherring]

No, mine have never disappeared. I've also started getting the calcinosis thing with tiny hard white bits like grains of sand coming out of my skin. (What fun!). I have a lump of it in my right leg under the skin about as big as a grain of rice and it's very hard. I sometimes think I'm turning into a pillar of salt. My GP doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about when I tell him about these symptoms - he says he's never seen systemic sclerosis before - he's not a lot of help. I have read a lot of stuff about the disease and the rheumatology department at my local hospital gave me some leaflets to read - seems to me you have do a lot of research yourself to understand it all. I have sjogrens syndrome too - (even more fun!)

[cleoshome in reply to GGhere]

I have SS and sjogrens. Your doctor had better look it up and educate himself or get another doctor. I had one like that, just looked across the room and made his statement. Next Dr I went to made the connections and diagnosed me. Good luck, don't give up.

[Irene55]

Very few GPs know anything at all about auto immune illnesses. Mine didn't and I was only referred to a rheumatologist when the surgeon who did my carpal tunnel operation recognised the symptoms. I don't know how you will find a doctor with any knowledge. Maybe a surgery that takes trainee doctors from the local hospital. The doctor I have now does that and it is a very good group of doctors and nurses at the surgery.

[Sylviaherring in reply to Irene55]

To be fair my gp was awesome and sent a referral for the reumy as soon as my raynauds blood tests were back and I was seen within 8 weeks

[MilkMaid]

Hi Syvia,

The skin is a very complex thing! I have had significant scarring on my lower legs for 20+ years, the past year since being on Methotrexate and using a lot of moisturiser on my skin the scars have all but disapeared, don't know why but I am not going to complain. Keep well.

[Sylviaherring in reply to MilkMaid]

Haha no defiantly not complaining ! I know it doesn't mean I'm getting better (although my husband is hopeful !) I just didn't expect them to ever go and thought I would always have them ! I was only diagnosed in Dec with systemic sclerosis and secondary raynauds so still trying to work things out ! Thanks for replying

[Kingfisherblue]

Hello. Strange there was an article on Facebook last night. Where a lady was using heat patches on her body and over time it left burn marks. Even though she never put it directly on to the skin. They will not go away sadly. But make everyone aware they said with our illness not to use these heat patches.

I hope your scars will disappear. take care