The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on your skin. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Blood tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis. The tests will look for antibodies that point to the disease.
References
Kowal-Bielecka O, Fransen J, et al. Update of EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Aug;76(8):1327-1339.
Localized scleroderma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/localized-scleroderma . Accessed August 12, 2020.
Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health%5FInfo/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed August 12, 2020.
Systemic sclerosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/systemic-sclerosis . Accessed August 12, 2020.
What is scleroderma? Scleroderma Foundation website. Available at: http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageServer?pagename=patients%5Fwhatis#.WEhnf02QzIV. Accessed August 12, 2020.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
- Review Date: 03/2020
- Update Date: 03/05/2021