In these conditions the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
Morphea occurs as patches of thick and discolored skin.
Linear is a line of thickened skin extending down an arm or leg. As a general rule, children tend to get the localized form and adults the systemic form. Narrowing of the blood vessels in the hands and feet decreases the blood supply and causes scleroderma patients to be extremely sensitive to cold. Fingers may become contracted and function is lost. Over production of collagen, the main protein in the body's tissues, is responsible for the thick and tight skin, for the lung, kidney, gastrointestinal and heart problems is this disease.