Bridge House Clinic logoBridge House Clinic01244 982032
Condition guide · Rheumatology

Scleroderma

A condition that hardens and tightens the skin and can affect the blood vessels and internal organs — what it is, why it happens, and how a consultant rheumatologist can help.

Book an assessment→See treatments & prices
Scleroderma assessment at Bridge House Clinic
What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition in which the body lays down too much collagen, causing the skin — and sometimes the blood vessels and internal organs — to become thickened, tight and hardened.

Its name means "hard skin", but it ranges widely. Some people have a localised, skin-only form (morphea), while systemic sclerosis can affect the fingers, gut, lungs, heart and kidneys. It can't be cured, but with the right assessment and ongoing specialist care, symptoms can be controlled and complications caught early.

01Symptoms

Symptoms of scleroderma.

Scleroderma often begins quietly — frequently with colour changes in the fingers — long before the skin itself starts to tighten.

01Raynaud's: fingers turning white then blueFingers (and sometimes toes) go pale, then blue, then red and painful in the cold or with stress — usually the earliest sign of systemic scleroderma.
02Tight, shiny, thickened skinThe skin over the fingers, hands and face becomes firm, puffy and harder to pinch, and may feel taut as it tightens.
03Swollen, stiff fingersHands feel puffy and stiff, especially in the morning, and finger movement gradually becomes more restricted.
04Heartburn and swallowing problemsAcid reflux, a feeling that food sticks, and bloating are common when the gullet and gut are involved.
05Painful ulcers or pitting on the fingertipsSmall sores, cracks or pitted scars at the fingertips, caused by reduced blood flow.
06Breathlessness or a dry coughShortness of breath on exertion can signal the lungs are affected and always needs prompt assessment.
Sound familiar?Book an assessment with a consultant and get a clear picture — usually the same or next week.→
02Causes & risk factors

Why it happens.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition: the immune system triggers small blood vessels to narrow and the body to overproduce collagen. The exact trigger isn't known, but several factors are linked to it.

An overactive immune response that drives collagen build-up
Far more common in women than men
Most often starts between the ages of 30 and 50
A family history of autoimmune disease
Occupational exposure to silica dust or certain solvents
Not contagious and not caused by anything you have done
03When to get it checked

Don't wait for it to settle.

Early assessment helps you get the right treatment sooner. See a specialist if:

I.New colour changes in your fingersFingers that repeatedly turn white or blue in the cold — especially alongside skin tightening — deserve a specialist opinion to check for an underlying cause.
II.Skin that is becoming tight or hardenedThickening or firmness of the skin on the hands, face or elsewhere that is spreading or new should be assessed promptly.
III.Breathlessness, chest pain or a persistent coughThese can point to the lungs or heart being involved and need urgent medical attention — don't wait for a routine appointment.
IV.A painful, non-healing fingertip ulcerSores at the fingertips that won't heal can become infected and need early treatment to protect the tissue.
V.Reflux or swallowing difficulty that won't settlePersistent heartburn or food sticking should be reviewed, as the gut is often affected and can be managed.
Book an assessment→
Scleroderma examination by a consultant
Diagnosing scleroderma at Bridge House Clinic
04How it's diagnosed

Diagnosed through examination, blood tests and targeted investigations.

Dr Subhra Raghuvanshi, Consultant Rheumatologist, will examine your skin and hands, ask about Raynaud's and other symptoms, and arrange blood tests for the autoantibodies linked to scleroderma. Nailfold capillaroscopy — a close look at the tiny vessels at the base of the nails — can support the diagnosis, and where the lungs, heart or gut may be involved, further tests are organised. The aim is a clear diagnosis and a picture of which systems are affected, so care can be tailored to you.

05Treatment

How scleroderma is treated.

There's no single cure, so care is built around controlling symptoms, protecting circulation and watching for organ involvement over time.

01Consultant rheumatology assessment

A thorough review with Dr Raghuvanshi to confirm the diagnosis, establish which parts of the body are involved, and set a personalised management plan.

02Medical management & monitoring

Medicines to widen the blood vessels for Raynaud's, settle reflux, ease joint symptoms and, where needed, calm the immune system — alongside regular review to catch any organ involvement early.

03Joint injection

Where scleroderma overlaps with painful, inflamed joints, a targeted steroid injection can ease a specific joint. Your consultant will advise whether it's suitable for you.

04Coordinated onward care

When the lungs, heart or kidneys are involved, your consultant arranges the right tests and onward referral so the whole picture is managed, not just the skin.

See rheumatology assessment & care optionsConsultant-led scleroderma assessment with Dr Raghuvanshi from £220, with prices set out clearly before you book.→
Why Bridge House
I.
Same or next-week appointments

Seen in days — not months on a list.

II.
Consultant-led care

A named specialist, not a junior — all the way through.

III.
Transparent, fixed pricing

Every price published and confirmed in writing.

IV.
No NHS waiting list

Seen privately, without the wait.

V.
Private insurance accepted

We bill major UK insurers directly.

06Your consultants
Dr Subhra Raghuvanshi, Consultant Rheumatologist
Treats itDr Subhra RaghuvanshiConsultant Rheumatologist
07FAQ

Common questions.

Can't find your answer? Call us — a real person picks up.

01244 982032
How do I arrange to see the rheumatologist about scleroderma? +

You can book a private appointment with Dr Subhra Raghuvanshi directly — you don't need to be referred by your GP first. If you already have results or a GP letter, bring them along, as they help build the picture more quickly.

What does a scleroderma assessment cost? +

A rheumatology consultation with Dr Raghuvanshi is £220. Any blood tests or further investigations are quoted separately, and your consultant will explain what's needed and why before anything is arranged.

Can scleroderma be cured? +

There's no cure at present, but it's very much treatable. The right care controls symptoms such as Raynaud's and reflux, protects the circulation in your fingers, and monitors for organ involvement so problems are caught and managed early.

Is scleroderma always serious? +

Not always. Some people have a localised, skin-only form that never affects internal organs, while systemic forms vary a great deal in how they progress. A consultant assessment is the only reliable way to know which pattern you have.

Why is Raynaud's linked to scleroderma? +

Raynaud's — fingers turning white and blue in the cold — is one of the earliest signs of systemic scleroderma, because the same small-vessel changes are involved. Most people with Raynaud's never develop scleroderma, but combined with skin or other symptoms it's worth having checked.

Take the first step

Don't put up with it.

Book an assessment with a consultant and get a clear picture — and a plan.

Book an assessment→Call 01244 982032