What is morphea profunda?
The term morphea profunda was proposed by Person and Su in 1981 to describe generalised inflammatory sclerosis of the panniculus or fascia.[5] The term solitary morphea profunda was used by Whittaker to describe a solitary fibrotic plaque on the upper trunk with histological findings of a dense, mononuclear cell …
What happens if morphea is left untreated?
Morphea usually lasts several years and then goes away without treatment. It may leave scars or areas of darkened or discolored skin.
What is morphea caused from?
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.
Is morphea an autoimmune disorder?
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.
What is scleroderma morphea profunda?
Subcutaneous morphea (also known as morphea profunda) is noted by deep, bound-down, sclerotic plaques. This occurs much deeper in the skin and because of this the typical inflammatory changes and coloration is not generally seen.
Is morphea life threatening?
Pansclerotic morphea can be localized to relatively small areas of the body or can involve large areas of the body. Severe cases of pansclerotic morphea can produce long-term disability and on rare occasion have resulted in death.
Can morphea affect internal organs?
Morphea affects only the skin; it doesn’t involve other organs.
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.
What kind of doctor treats morphea?
How is morphea diagnosed? If you have unexplained hard or discolored patches of skin, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin problems) or a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in diseases of the joints, bones, and muscles).
Is morphea a form of lupus?
What is the difference between scleroderma and morphea?
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 weight gain?
Acute localized scleroderma (morphea) can present as severe generalized oedema with rapid weight gain and oliguria. The putative mechanism is increased capillary permeability.
Does morphea make you tired?
Most patients with generalized morphea and eosinophilic fasciitis reported fatigue, and a substantial proportion of patients noted severe fatigue. Patients with eosinophilic fasciitis particularly reported pain and itch.
Does morphea cause weight gain?
Does morphea affect heart?
Morphea develops slowly, and rarely spreads in the body or causes serious problems such as internal organ damage. Systemic scleroderma, or sclerosis — May affect large areas of skin and organs such as the heart, lungs, or kidneys.