Morphea

[Julia560]

Hi everyone!

Apologies if I’m posting this in completely the wrong place...

I’ve just been diagnosed with morphea, which no doctor seems to know anything about! I’m a 30 year old woman and I had no inkling of any issues.. it was only when a “bruise” (I thought from a ski trip) didn’t disappear that I went to the GP and ended up with a punch biopsy to give me my diagnosis of morphea.

I’ve been referred to dermatology, but it’s looking like Feb 2020 before any appts are available. In the meantime my single patch has now spread into multiple patches across my chest and stomach. Does anyone know how I can stop the spread? Or have any advice for what to do/stop doing in my life to maybe help with this?

I’ve tried googling but there don’t seem to be any obvious answers out there!

[KatieAnna]

Hi Julia

I have limited cutaneous scleroderma and I have lots of patches of morphea on my back and abdomen. They are really itchy at times and I use lots of very greasy body lotions. I haven't found one better than the other yet, but it definitely helps. The patches are sometimes raised, thickened patches and sometimes just darker skin. They can feel tight. I started on mycophenolate anti inflammatory med about a year ago and lots of the tightness has gone. I've had them for about 15 years,and after the initial rapid spread they haven't got any worse. I saw a dermatologist who got all the junior staff in to look at them as they aren't common. I hope yours settle soon and that you find a moisturiser that helps,and a good rheumatologist to diagnose any underlying problems.

Good luck. 🤞

[Searchingforhealth]

Hi Julia, I had linear morphea back in 2000 and it went into remission after about 8 months or so. I went to Birmingham, AL to have PUVA therapy (a light treatment that uses a certain spectrum of the sun to treat morphea). It was successful in my case and I haven't had any issues with morphea since!!

[Shadow15]

My son has linear morphea. Push for treatment as soon as, as it can spread quickly. My son is on methotrexate and started on steroids after the initial diagnosis. SRUK have some good info or Mayo Clinic.

[MilkMaid]

Hi Julia,

I have widespread cutaneous scleroderma and have several groups of morphea on my upper torso mainly my back and shoulders. They spread rapidly for a couple of years then merged into larger patches 2-3 inches and are now starting to fade in colour but still feel different. I use Aveno moisturiser which gives good relief from the skin tightness and do plenty of stretching exercises. Currently on methotrexate which helps a lot. Good luck!