Scleroderma is an inflammatory disease best recognized by the buildup of rough, scar-like plaques on the skin. Scleroderma lesions are thick, can have many shapes and sizes, and have different pigmentation than the surrounding skin—sometimes lighter, sometimes darker.
Scleroderma is divided into two types, localized and systemic. Localized scleroderma can affect the skin, muscles, bones, and joints. Systemic scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis) can affect the internal organs as well as the skin.
