Blue fingers can be an early sign (From Halesowen News)

Blue fingers can be an early sign

7:00am Saturday 8th November 2008

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Have you heard of systemic sclerosis, known as scleroderma? Scleroderma affects 1 per 10,000 of the population, women being affected more than men. Scleroderma is a collagen, vascular and autoimmune disease which affects the skin, blood vessels and internal organs.

98% of people with scleroderma also have Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which blood is prevented from reaching the fingers and toes in response to the cold or any slight change in temperature. Raynaud’s affects up to 10 million people in the UK. Both conditions can be very disabling especially if not treated early.

The Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Association is aiming to highlight scleroderma by informing the general public in the hope of reaching anyone who has the condition and is not aware that help is available or that early diagnosis can be vital.

Free literature is available by sending an SAE to the Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Association (RSA) at 112 Crewe Road, Alsager, Cheshire ST7 2JA or call 0800 917 2494. Alternatively, visit: www.raynauds.org.uk A book entitled ‘Scleroderma - The Inside Story’ by Anne H Mawdsley (ISBN 0 9538297 1 5) is available from the RSA. Price £6 including p & p.

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