Does anyone out there know about scleroderma?

With all the articles I have read..They don't seem to know why this affects women much more than men. Also they don't seem to know if this is hereditary...has anyone found anything more about this?

My mother has scleroderma and her doctor tells her that women are more likely to develop it because they have a different chemical makeup than men do. As far as hereditary goes, neither I nor my two sisters have scleroderma that we know of. All three of us, however, do have separate symptoms of CREST (in which Scleroderma is a portion of) so maybe there is something to that. Nothing serious for any of us yet but we are all under thirty. Sorry to hear that you or someone you love has been affected by this. It can get pretty ugly.

no i haven't

Please see the webpages for more details and images on Scleroderma.

It is hereditary.
It is involved in a syndrome called CREST syndrome.
The people at greater risk, are those that have multiple autoimmune diseases in their family.
You can test for anti-scleroderm antibody.

A relative of mine was diagnosed with Scleroderma several years ago at the Mayo Clinic, in Boston, MA. You could try their website for information. I think it affects women more because it is the over processing of Estrogen.

My wife works with scleroderma patients in a research capacity and what I understand is that it is an autoimmune disease. So there must be at least some genetic predisposition for it. As with most things scientific they (scientists and researchers) always leave wiggle room so they will never be wrong. Good luck

Scleroderma, an autoimmune and rare,chronic
and progreesive disease characterized by excess deposits of collagen. It involves thickening and hardening of the skin and can damage internal organs as well. The Greek word comes from skleros, hard and indurated and dermis which ic the skin. There are two major types of this disease the localized scleroderma and the systemic necrosis which affect the internal organs as well. It's prevalent among females 80% between the ages of 35-55
This disease has the genetic predisposition.
Why only more females are afflicted actually the ratio 4:1 is unexplainable.

I DON'T know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!