Has anyone experienced tight, shiny skin on your face, neck and body?

[wartsandall]

I have raynauds and limited scleroderma......... over the last few months I have noticed that that the skin on my arms, knees, shins and shoulders is becoming smoother and shiny. Also, the skin on my face is also feeling tighter and smoother. I am plastering my skin with loads of body butter and applying extra moisturising cream to my face morning and night.... This is a new symptom for me, as I only ever had tight, smooth and shiny skin on my hands......Does this mean that my scleroderma is progressing, and will I need to any treatment to stop it from progressing any further....

[Hidden]

Ooo not had that. I do use prescribed emolients (have 3 different types) all over my face, body arms and legs etc.. Possibly your Rheumatologist maybe able to help.

[wartsandall in reply to Hidden]

Hello CardiffLady, thank you for your reply to my question......I don't have any prescribed emolients from my GP,...but I apply Palmers Coca Butter that you can buy over the counter from any high street supplier...I find it not to greasy, reasonably priced and it smells good too.... I have an appointment with my Rheumatologist next month,......I'll mention the skin tightening when I am next in clinic...take care...

[tracynoe]

I have shiny tight'ish skin on my knees and shoulders along with fingers and until you posted this I had always assumed it was due to the steroids, maybe it's not all steroid damage!! I will have to ask now. I have always had dry skin so I use various creams to help. I have got lumps in the palm of my hands that seem to be on tendon's have you got this?

[wartsandall in reply to tracynoe]

Hi tracynoe,.....I noticed my shoulders and knees becoming shiny and smooth earlier in the year...... I was complaining of aches and pains whilst trying to get comfortable in bed.....I was applying a local analgesic gel to help relieve the pain,,,,when I noticed the shiny, tightness to my knees, shoulders, neck and face.....I have never been on steroids;;....... and I don't apply an analgesia to my neck or my face.....this is a new symptom for me....I don't have any lumps on the tendons or the palms of my hands like you do......but I do get dry cracked skin when the weather is cold....take care...

[SandraMarie]

It is a classic symptom of Scleroderma, and you cannot cure it.Creams wont touch it as it isn't due to dryness, whereas the Raynauds does cause dried hands and feet etc.this is a different thing altogether. Eventualy you may start to notice a puckering around the mouth. Sorry I can't offer any positive advice. x

[wartsandall in reply to SandraMarie]

Hello SandraMarie, thank you for your answer......having smooth, shiny, tight skin is a new symptom for me...... I have also noticed that I have lost almost all the hair on my forearms and my elbows are no longer dry..... now they are smooth and shiny....I don't know if I am just lucky, but over the last 2 years I have also lost all my under arm hair......I have noticed that my mouth is really dry during the night and my top lip curls back and sticks to my front teeth.....my husband bless him tells me I look like a rabbit....LOL.... Although, I can honestly say I have noticed the fine puckering around my mouth......take care

[Susanissufferingtoo in reply to SandraMarie]

Are you able to kneel down? I can't kneel. I can't take a bath showers only. Anyone else? I also have Fibromyalgia too.

[tall-tim]

Commiserations. I think it is just part of the general condition, and it will run until it reaches some new point of equilibrium or stability best known to itself. For me, it's as though I have a thin plastic mask clamped to my face and body, though it doesn't feel so alarming as it was when it started happening. I can just about see my old face in the mirror, but the constriction of my mouth / lips / jaw is a trial, causing difficulties for eating, dentistry, flossing, whistling, etc. Still, things could be a lot worse...

[wartsandall]

Hi tall-tim, thank you for your answer.....I recently had a bad experience at the dentist, I couldn't open my mouth wide enough for the dentist to examine my teeth.....the dentist almost ripped my mouth apart......my face feels tight; as though I have applied a cosmetic face mask that is dry and needs to be peeled or washed off...I have had a bad time with work, my health and family problems over the last 12 months.....I was wondering if all these problems could have contributed to my symptoms .....take care.....

[SandraMarie]

I've given up going to the dentist as it was really too much what with the not being able to open mouth and constant chest infections from Bronchiectasis. The only upside I can see from the tight skin on face is that I actually look about 20 years younger (or so I'm told!!!) due to lack of wrinkles (apart from round the mouth) Interesting about the underarm hair, I rarely have much either, but hadn't thought about it being connected. Something new to learn everyday! Best wishes all. x

[Roamer]

I would definitely raise this with your rheumatologist as you may need treatment. I experienced the same and am now on immunosuppressive drugs which have helped to reverse some of the tightening. I was initially diagnosed as having limited scleroderma, but when the skin tightening spread the diagnosis changed to diffuse scleroderma. The earlier that you catch it the better.