The cause of morphea is unknown. It may be caused by an unusual reaction of your immune system. In people at increased risk of morphea, it could be triggered by injury to the affected area, medications, chemical toxins, an infection or radiation therapy. The condition isn't contagious.

How does morphea start?

Collagen is a protein normally found in skin that helps provide structural support. With too much collagen, your skin becomes hard. Morphea may be triggered by radiation therapy, repeated trauma to your skin, environmental exposure, or an infection.

Is morphea serious?

Morphea is a rare skin condition that will usually only affect the appearance of the skin and will go away without treatment. However, in more severe cases, morphea can cause mobility issues or deformities. In children, morphea can cause eye damage and problems with limb growth and movement.

Does morphea ever go away?

Morphea usually lasts several years and then goes away without treatment. It may leave scars or areas of darkened or discolored skin. Until your condition clears up, you may want to pursue treatment that helps control your signs and symptoms.

Can morphea go away on its own?

ANSWER: Morphea, which is a rare skin disorder, causes painless hardening and discoloration of the skin. In many cases, morphea affects only a few areas on the body. The condition usually goes away on its own within several years. In the meantime, treatment often can keep symptoms in check.

Localized Scleroderma (Morphea)- Lisa Pappas-Taffer, M.D.- 2018 Patient Education Conference

Is sun good for morphea?

Sun exposure may be helpful for morphea lesions, but do not over do it. Ten to 15 minutes of exposure to midday sunlight two to three times per week may improve the morphea lesions.

How do you treat morphea naturally?

Another inexpensive morphea treatment includes getting more sunlight. About 10 or 15 minutes several times a week can help reduce symptoms. Your skin makes vitamin D naturally when exposed to the sunlight which can help reduce inflammation. Be careful, though, because too much sun exposure can further damage your skin.

What foods should be avoided with scleroderma?

Avoid eating two to three hours before bed- time. Avoid foods that may aggra- vate symptoms such as citrus fruits, tomato products, greasy fried foods, coffee, garlic, onions, peppermint, gas-producing foods (such as raw peppers, beans, broccoli or raw onions), spicy foods, carbonated beverages and alcohol.

Is morphea autoimmune?

Morphea is an autoimmune disease that causes sclerosis, or scarlike, changes to the skin. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system, which normally protects us from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, mistakenly attacks a person's own body.

Does morphea cause weight gain?

Acute localized scleroderma (morphea) can present as severe generalized oedema with rapid weight gain and oliguria.

Is morphea related to lupus?

Morphea is an autoimmune disorder (such as type I diabetes, lupus, vitiligo, or multiple sclerosis, among others). While morphea does not affect lifespan, it can significantly affect a patient's appearance or have symptoms including itching and pain.

How fast does morphea spread?

Without treatment, the lesions often go away on their own within three to five years, but new lesions usually appear over a person's lifetime. If the condition goes deeper than skin level, it may spread quickly, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. Find out more morphea facts here.

Can morphea be misdiagnosed?

Its clinical findings are diverse, ranging from erythematous to hypopigmented or hyperpigmented patches or plaques¹. Due to this variability, morphea may be misdiagnosed especially by non-dermatologists as pigmentary disorders such as vitiligo².

What can mimic morphea?

Generalized morphea

There is a female to male predominance of 2.6:1 and more than half the cases are seen in children. GM usually presents with erythematous, inflammatory, and sometimes pruritic patches on the chest, abdomen, back, and limbs.

What is the difference between morphea and scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a disease of unknown origin that affects the microvasculature and loose connective tissues of the body and is characterized by fibrosis and obliteration of vessels in the skin, lungs, gut, kidneys and heart. Morphea is a localized form of scleroderma and affects primarily just the skin.

Can morphea cause arthritis?

Morphea is a skin disease characterized by local skin inflammation and fibrosis. Extracutaneous manifestations have been described with this disease including inflammatory arthritis. We describe a case of morphea who developed inflammatory polyarthritis and sacroiliitis coincident with new skin lesions.

What is deep morphea?

Deep morphea encompasses a variety of clinical entities in which inflammation and sclerosis are found in the deep dermis, panniculus, fascia, or superficial muscle.

What is Generalised morphea?

Generalized morphea is defined as more than 4 indurated plaques larger than 3 cm each and/or involving 2 of more of 7 anatomic sites (head-neck, each extremity, anterior trunk, and posterior trunk) but sparing the face and hands.

Is morphea a connective tissue disorder?

Localized scleroderma or morphea is a chronic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. Several types of morphea exist and each has different clinical manifestations and levels of connective tissue involvement (Chart 1).

Does stress cause scleroderma?

We agree that susceptibility, progression and clinical presentation of scleroderma are influenced by a strong interplay of several factors, of which one is psychosocial stress (2–5). Our preliminary findings further suggest that mechanical stress is involved in the onset, continuation and exacerbation of scleroderma.

Is vitamin C bad for scleroderma?

Large doses of vitamin C (>1000 mg/d) should be avoided because this stimulates collagen formation and may enhance fibrotic tissue deposition.

Does turmeric help scleroderma?

Recent research shows that curcumin, a component of turmeric, may benefit people who suffer from scleroderma. Scleroderma is a disorder where the body produces excessive amounts of connective tissue called collagen. This fibrous tissue builds up in the skin and other organs and can disrupt their function.

What vitamins are good for scleroderma?

Your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin daily that has the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium. These supplements may help reduce some symptoms: Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 to 2 capsules or 1 to 3 tbsp.

How do you cover up morphea?

Cover affected skin and avoid direct contact with the sun whenever possible. Use moisturizers to soften and improve the feel of your skin. If you have morphea in more visible locations, makeup and other topical treatments may help to hide the condition and make your skin appear more natural.

How can you reverse scleroderma?

There is no medication that can cure or stop the overproduction of collagen that is characteristic of scleroderma. But a variety of medications can help control scleroderma symptoms and prevent complications. For example, your doctor may recommend medications to: Treat or slow skin changes.