Ask a Rheumatologist: 5 Common Questions About Scleroderma
Apr 09, 2026
Affecting around 300,000 Americans today, scleroderma is a rare disease requiring specialized care. At Pacific Rheumatology Medical Center, with offices located in Tustin and Laguna Hills, California, board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Behnam Khaleghi offers specialized care for this highly complex disease.
Because scleroderma is so uncommon, it’s often misunderstood. Many patients experience symptoms of scleroderma and don’t realize it due to a lack of basic information about the disease. In today’s blog, we’re answering five simple yet crucial questions about scleroderma to help you understand what it is and what to look for.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease in which the body produces excessive amounts of collagen. Not only can this disease cause thickening and painful tightening of the skin, but it can also affect internal organs.
Localized scleroderma affects the skin. In some cases, the tissue immediately underneath the skin is also affected. Systemic scleroderma may impact several other parts of the body. In most cases of systemic sclerosis, patients experience skin hardening and also have organ involvement. For example, 9 in 10 patients with systemic scleroderma have digestive tract issues.
Early symptoms of scleroderma may be subtle and mistaken for other conditions. One of the most common early signs is Raynaud’s phenomenon, affecting up to 95% of people with the disease. It occurs when the extremities (fingers and/or toes) turn white or blue when you’re very cold or experiencing heightened stress.
Other early symptoms may include swollen fingers, tight-feeling skin, stiff joints, and unusually intense fatigue. These symptoms tend to creep in gradually and are easy to mistake for ordinary aches and pains, so it’s important to pay close attention, particularly when they happen simultaneously.
There is no single test that confirms scleroderma, so diagnosis takes time. In fact, some sources say that it takes an average of six years to receive a scleroderma diagnosis. In many cases, diagnosis starts with ruling other conditions out.
Raynaud’s, joint pain, and even skin changes can also be signs of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune conditions. As an expert in these diseases, Dr. Khaleghi uses a variety of diagnostic methods to assess patients, including:
These are only some of the tests that may help diagnose scleroderma. Dr. Khaleghi tailors your testing to the situation, the symptoms, and the suspected type of scleroderma.
Although there isn’t yet a cure for scleroderma, you can manage the disease effectively when you have an experienced rheumatology specialist like Dr. Khaleghi guiding you. Treatment focuses on both relieving your symptoms and, wherever possible, slowing the trajectory of your scleroderma.
Many medications may help, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and advanced options like disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Pacific Rheumatology Medical Center provides intravenous (IV) therapy, using DMARDs such as rituximab, which show tremendous promise for patients with scleroderma.
Supportive care, including physical therapy and routine monitoring, is crucial to successful long-term scleroderma management. Dr. Khaleghi and our team personalize every treatment plan to the individual patient.
If you’re diagnosed with scleroderma or have suspicious symptoms, it’s important to see a rheumatologist, a doctor who’s an expert in this type of disease. Dr. Khaleghi provides expert evaluation and creates highly personalized scleroderma treatment plans to help manage your disease and maximize your quality of life.
Need clarity about your condition or ready to schedule an evaluation with a top scleroderma expert? Reach out to our team at 714-266-1458 to book your appointment with Dr. Khaleghi.