How do you describe morphea?

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.

What is morphea disease?

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 kind of doctor treats morphea?

You may start by seeing your primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist) or a specialist in diseases of the joints, bones and muscles (rheumatologist).

Is morphea serious?

Morphea is a rare skin condition that will usually only affect the appearance of the skin and will go away without treatment. However, in more severe cases, morphea can cause mobility issues or deformities. In children, morphea can cause eye damage and problems with limb growth and movement.

Is morphea malignant?

Generalized morphea is a rare idiopathic form of scleroderma that literally means “hard skin.” Morphea is usually considered an isolated event that is not associated with malignancy.

Does morphea cause weight gain?

Acute localized scleroderma (morphea) can present as severe generalized oedema with rapid weight gain and oliguria.

Is morphea related to lupus?

Morphea is an autoimmune disorder (such as type I diabetes, lupus, vitiligo, or multiple sclerosis, among others).

How fast does morphea spread?

Without treatment, the lesions often go away on their own within three to five years, but new lesions usually appear over a person’s lifetime. If the condition goes deeper than skin level, it may spread quickly, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. Find out more morphea facts here.

Is morphea progressive?

Pansclerotic morphea This is a rapidly progressive type of morphea with many plaques that can cover almost your entire body. It spares hands and feet. This type needs the most aggressive treatment.

Can morphea cause fatigue?

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 make you tired?

Can morphea spread?

Morphea may be triggered by radiation therapy, repeated trauma to your skin, environmental exposure, or an infection. Morphea isn’t contagious, so you can’t get it from or spread it by touching someone else.

What does morphea stand for in medical terms?

Overview Morphea (mor-FEE-uh) is a rare condition that causes painless, discolored patches on your skin. Typically, the skin changes appear on the belly, chest or back. But they might also appear on your face, arms and legs.

Where can I find information on morphea research?

The consortium Web site contains a listing of active scleroderma trials, past copies of the Scleroderma Care and Research journal, and a tool for finding your nearest member institution. The Autoimmune Registry supports research for Morphea by collecting information about patients with this and other autoimmune diseases.

What are the signs and symptoms of morphea skin?

Signs and symptoms of morphea vary, depending on the type and stage of the condition. They include: Reddish or purplish oval patches of skin, often on the abdomen, chest or back A gradual change in the affected skin, which becomes hard, thickened, dry and shiny

What was the purpose of the morphea registry?

The registry was established in 2007 to learn more about morphea. Little is known about morphea since it is a rare, poorly understood, and understudied condition. This registry will provide a resource for investigators to make discoveries in regard to both the clinical and genetic aspects of the disease.