Recovery Period From Morphea

Morphea is a rare disease of skin which is characterized by discoloration and thickening of the skin. Its lesions are hard and firm. Its lesions develop mostly on back, chest, neck, face, or hands. It is a painless condition. It may affect every 3 people out of 1 lakh people. It affects women more than men. It usually begins in early childhood and shows its impact on adulthood. Its exact causes are not discovered yet. In severe cases, it can restrict joint movement. It can resolve by itself without medicines in 3 to 6 years. However, it cannot be cured or prevented.

Recovery Period From Morphea

Recovery Period From Morphea

Morphea show plaque-like lesions that shows slow recovery process. There is a gradual improvement in the lesions. The diseases tend to last in 3 to 6 years by itself without medicines. However, it may extend to 25 years. It may relapse again. It may leave pigmentation and darkened spots. Linear lesions may take more time to recover than plaque lesions.

Morphea affects the quality of life in children where it causes shortness of limbs resulting in disfigurement and disability. Functional and cosmetic disfigurement caused by morphea may remain even after the active disease settles down.

Morphea may take more recovery time if it is associated with other autoimmune diseases. Calcinosis is associated with morphea, then it may complicate the linear lesions and it is removed with surgical treatment. If facial atrophy is present as a complication of morphea, it does not recover fast and it remains for a long time.

Morphea is a rare disease of the skin that is represented by hard, firm and thick lesions. These lesions are usually reddish oval shaped with a lightened center with borders. It is a type of localized scleroderma. It is usually limited to the skin. It affects the skin of the chest, abdomen or back and sometimes involves face, neck and the limbs. It is usually a painless condition that disappears by itself in three to five years.

Morphea affects women more than men. It usually starts in early childhood. The average age in which most of the cases of morphea is diagnosed is 20-50 years.

It is assumed that increased deposition of collagen into the skin leading to hardening and thickening of the skin. Its exact causes are not known. Autoimmunity, infections, trauma, cancer, injury, and radiation therapy are supposed to trigger morphea.

Symptoms Of Morphea

Morphea represent the following symptoms-

  • The lesions are localized and circumscribed.
  • They are usually oval shaped.
  • They are limited to the skin.
  • They do not extend to other organs.
  • They appear on the skin of face, neck, arms legs, abdomen or back.
  • They are hardened and firm to touch.
  • They are usually painless
  • They are discolored usually reddened or white.
  • The lesions have a light colored center compared to its surroundings.
  • The lesions cause loss of hair in their area.
  • They become so hard that restrict the movement of the muscles and joints under the skin.

Treatment For Morphea

There is no cure for morphea. However, there are several treatments options available that can relieve the symptoms of the condition. This treatment options are-

  • Use of phototherapy that utilizes artificial ultraviolet light to cure the skin
  • Calcipotriene a vitamin D cream that moisturizes the skin

Other options

  • Avoid sunlight exposure
  • Avoid hot showers
  • Apply moisturizer soon after bathing
  • Regular exercises improve blood circulation
  • Use a humidifier to moisturize the room in winters
  • Use natural creams without fragrance
  • Apply high-quality sunscreen before going into the sunlight.

Conclusion

Morphea is a rare skin disease that causes thickening and hardening of a patch of skin. It improves gradually by itself. It may take 3 to six years to recover completely. However, it may last up to 25 years.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:March 26, 2019

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