CREST-syndrome: signs of the disease, treatment, prognosis. Limited scleroderma

What is the CREST-syndrome? What are the signs of the disease? How is the treatment of the disease? What is prevention? Answers to these and other questions can be obtained by reading our article.

Background

Definition CREST-syndrome is the designation for a disease known as a limited species of scleroderma. A peculiarity of the disease is the appearance in the structure of connective tissues of affected areas in the form of peculiar plaques.

The mechanism of pathology development has not been studied so far. Physicians believe that the "starting point" are violations that occur in the endocrine system. In particular, the emergence of characteristic symptoms leads to excessive production of a secret such as serotonin. Against the backdrop of the process, there are spasms of the vessels, as well as changes in the composition of biological lubricants. The immune system begins to perceive such failures as an attack on the body of foreign cells. Under the influence of lymphocytes and leukocytes, inflammatory processes begin to take place in healthy tissues. However, the activation of blood cells, which play a protective role in the body, does not lead to positive results. The organism again launches similar processes, which causes the formation of new foci of tissue inflammation.

Limited scleroderma: signs of the disease

People who have a pathology can complain about the feeling of tightening the skin, tenderness of tissues in various parts of the body, and itching and tingling. Signs of the development of the disease is the appearance of edemas, atrophy and seals on the surface of the epidermis.

Usually CREST-syndrome is manifested by the formation of lilac and pink spots on the skin of a rounded shape. The size of such plaques can vary from the size of the coin to the palm of a child. Most often, such manifestations are concentrated in the region of the upper and lower extremities, near the mammary glands, on the face and trunk. In the affected areas, it is difficult to gather the skin in creases. Here there is no separation of sweat, hair growth stops.

In the future, such a sign of scleroderma, as a denser of the skin, practically disappears. Together with this, pigmented areas appear in the tissue structure. If the treatment of the disease is not given due attention, the damage is to muscle tissue, bone, in rare cases - internal organs.

Prerequisites for the development of the disease

Specific causes of pathology, characteristic of the vast majority of clinical cases, remain a mystery for the researchers of the problem. It is only known that the following factors can provoke the development of CREST-syndrome:

• Disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• Overcooling, overheating and mechanical damage to the skin;
• Entry into the body of foreign proteins during blood transfusions or vaccinations;
• Regular exposure to human substances in organic solvents, exposure to light silicon dust;
• Uncontrolled, unauthorized use of certain pharmacological agents.

Medical treatment

Treatment of CREST-syndrome involves the combination of drugs whose active substances stimulate immunity, have antifibrotic effect and contribute to the improvement of circulation of body fluids. The program of therapy is individually. The choice of medication depends on the nature of the disease, its severity and degree of development.

When CREST-syndrome, patients are most often prescribed the following pharmacological drugs:

1. Prednisolone - is used in cases when there is a significant spread of foci of scleroderma in various parts of the body. In order to eliminate the characteristic symptoms, the drug is taken at 20-30 milligrams per day. If improvements are observed, the dose progressively decreases until the drug is completely withdrawn from use.
2. Sodium salt - is applied topically and makes it possible to cure lesions of tissues. The drug is effective only at the initial stages of the development of the disease.
3. Hyaluronidase - looks like an effective solution in the fight against the appearance of seals in the structure of the skin. The substance is applied internally and externally.
4. "Diabazol" - a preparation with the content of polyenzymes. It gives an opportunity to slow down the development of the disease, which has not yet made significant progress.
5. "Koplamin" - the agent has a positive effect on the state of the vessels.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures are also quite effective in the treatment of limited scleroderma. The main advantage of such solutions is the possibility of a targeted effect directly on the lesions of tissues.

Therapy based on physiotherapy involves the following methods:

• Electrophoresis.
• Effects on the fabric by diadynamic currents.
• Ultrasound.
• Reception of mud baths.
• Low-frequency laser therapy.
• Magnetic therapy.
• Chemotherapy( for severe disease).

Prevention

People who are diagnosed with "limited scleroderma", doctors recommend avoid exposure to the skin of direct sunlight. In addition, such persons should not be allowed to overheat and supercooling the body, getting injuries of a mechanical nature, stress.

The best prevention of CREST-syndrome looks like being under the supervision of the attending physician. This is the only way to monitor the progress or retreat of the disease, and also prevent development against the background of the problem of concomitant pathologies of connective tissue. The patient needs a regular visit to the office of a dermatologist, venereologist, endocrinologist and neurologist.

Chances for recovery

In case of development of CREST-syndrome, the predictions are quite favorable. Accurate adherence to the recommendations of the doctor, a combination of medical and physiotherapy treatment - all this in most cases makes it possible to avoid the emergence of new foci of tissue scarring.

Unfortunately, skin sites that have already undergone pathological changes remain so for the rest of their lives. Completely avoid the appearance of cosmetic defects with a disappointing diagnosis is quite difficult. Blame for all the very vague symptoms and causes of the disease, which prevents the timely detection of ailment. Whatever the case, limited scleroderma does not pose a threat to life.