Morphea

Morphea

It is defined as the painless and discolored patches form on skin. It is the rare condition which form patches on mostly chest, back and belly. It usually affect the outer layer of skin but sometime penetrate the deep tissue also.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of morphea include:

• Reddish oval patches of skin
• Patches have lighter or whiter center
• Dry and thickened skin after sometime
• Linear patches

Causes

The exact cause of morphea is still unknown but unusual activation of immune system may be the reason, sometime certain infections and toxin also cause morphea.

Complications

If left untreated it may cause the following complications:

• Self-esteem problems due to body image.
• Movement issues
• Discoloration of skin
• Loss of sweat and hair glands
• Eye disease

Diagnosis

Your doctor diagnoses morphea at clinic by looking at the affected skin. Further confirmation is done by asking history and conducting a general physical examination.

Treatment

Following treatment option for Morphea is available now a days:

• Light therapy
• Oral medicine like immunosuppressive drugs
• Medicated creams like vitamin D cream
• Physical therapy for joints movement.