Title: CREST Syndrome - What is?, Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis
Headings: CREST Syndrome
CREST Syndrome
Definition
Symptoms
Tight hardened skin
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Red spot marks on the skin
Lumps beneath the skin
Difficulty in swallowing
Classification
Causes of CREST Syndrome
Risk factors
Complications
Diagnosis
Blood test
Biopsy of the skin sample
Heart, lung and gastrointestinal tests
CREST Syndrome Treatment
Antibiotics
Antacids
Antihypertensive drugs
Immunosuppressive medications
Rehabilitation Therapy
References

Content: Raynaud’s phenomenon
The blood vessels present in the affected fingers and toes get spasm due to cold weather or mental stress. This can also lead to blocking of the blood circulation and skin become white and then turns to blue, the temperature of the skin becomes lower down and numbness raises. Further improvement of the blood flow can cause throbbing or tingling sensation along with reddish skin. Red spot marks on the skin
The swelling of the small blood vessels beneath the skin surface can cause painless red spot marks on the affected skin surface. Lumps beneath the skin
In rare cases, calcium deposition beneath the skin appears as a lump (telangiectasias) and mainly found in the fingers, elbows or knee. These lumps may be infected and tenderness also develop. Difficulty in swallowing
In CREST syndrome, people often face swallowing difficulties, due to their problem in the esophagus. The loss of control over the esophageal muscles at the upper and lower end can cause difficulty in swallowing and let back flow the acidic content of the stomach into the esophagus. This leads to heartburn, irritation and scarring of the esophagus. ( 1,2,3,4)
Classification
In medical science, depending upon the sign and symptoms, CREST syndrome is further divided into two forms: