Hi doctor,I am contacting you because I have Raynaud's, and the past few months my cuticles have developed blood specks. I know these symptoms point to scleroderma. It has me very worried. I need to visit a doctor for tests but I have to wait a few days and I would really like to get some clarification on a few things. I get the impression that once you show these signs of specks in cuticles it definitely indicates scleroderma or some other autoimmune issue. Is it possible that I am wrong? I stopped getting manicures and the cuticles started getting very overgrown. Is it possible the specks in my cuticles are just because of this? Or maybe because my hands are dry and I have many hangnails? Another question I have is if I do ultimately have limited scleroderma CREST, is it common for these CREST patients to develop full-blown diffuse scleroderma? I am very stressed out about this. I am 26 years old female. Currently, I am taking Adderall and Citalopram.
Hello. I went through your post. The diagnosis of scleroderma is based on clinical and some laboratory parameters neither raynauds nor the cuticle blood spots are specific for scleroderma. It is skin thickness that has maximum value and blood tests like anticentromere antibody and anti-Scl 70 which has significance the blood vessels involvement is microscopic and is seen only with NFC (near-field communication) not by the naked eye and only ulcers if present can be seen by naked eye. So do not panic get tested and examined before you give your self a diagnosis.  For more information consult a rheumatologist online -->