Is morphea a cancer?
Morphea also isn’t an infection or cancerous. Instead, morphea is a form of scleroderma, which is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disorder that causes hardening of the skin and sometimes deeper tissues under the skin as well.
What can trigger morphea?
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.
Can morphea turn into systemic scleroderma?
Morphea is sometimes referred to as “localized scleroderma”. However, despite their similar names, patients with morphea are not at increased risk of developing internal organ scleroderma involvement (systemic sclerosis). In morphea, the immune system mistakenly causes inflammation of the skin.
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.
Can a dermatologist diagnose scleroderma?
Doctors who most commonly diagnose scleroderma are dermatologists and rheumatologists. Dermatologists have expertise in diagnosing diseases that affect the skin, and rheumatologists specialize in diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones.
What kind of skin does morphea disease cause?
Morphea is a rare skin condition characterized by small red or purple patches that develop firm white or ivory centers. The affected skin becomes tight and less flexible. Morphea (mor-FEE-uh) is a rare condition that causes painless, discolored patches on your skin.
Is the cause of morphea a contagious condition?
The cause of morphea is unknown. Some experts think it is caused by an infection, but that theory has not been proved. The condition isn’t contagious. Certain factors may affect your risk of developing morphea, including: Female sex. Females are more likely to develop morphea than are males.
What are the symptoms of generalized morphea in children?
Widespread areas of hardened, discolored skin. Numerous new patches of hard, discolored skin may seem to join together, a condition known as generalized morphea. Eye damage. Children with head and neck morphea may experience unnoticeable but permanent eye damage.
What does morphoea stand for in medical terms?
Morphoea (American spelling, morphea) is characterised by an area of inflammation and fibrosis (thickening and hardening) of the skin due to increased collagen deposition. It is also known as localised scleroderma.