Scars in systemic sclerosis - Scleroderma & Ray...

Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK)

10,798 members5,388 posts

Scars in systemic sclerosis

Sylviaherring profile image
9 Replies

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

Written by
Sylviaherring profile image
Sylviaherring
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
GGhere profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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

You may also like...

RITUXIMAB FOR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS?

done all it can. My illness is relatively stable with my lung decline only minimal now but have...

Charity systemic sclerosis

of trying to complete an ultra marathon next year which is 62 miles from London to Brighton. I want...

Newly diagnosed systemic sclerosis

at least I now have a name for all the things I have wrong with me. I am reading all your post and...

Dry skin and systemic sclerosis

I have systemic sclerosis and secondary raynauds and saw my rheumatologist yesterday (2nd appt) we...

Skin changes in systemic sclerosis

Hey you lovely lot ! I have some new skin changes, little red dots in.patches and wondered if anyone