A person with scleroderma has inflammation of the skin that causes it to become firm and thick. It can also cause skin tightness in the fingers and toes.

Scleroderma causes inflammation and scarring in other organs in the body, including the heart, joints, kidneys, liver, lungs and intestines. The inflammation can cause the organs to malfunction.

About 1 out of every 100,000 people in the US have scleroderma. Over time, scleroderma causes a progressive decline in mobility and function.