What is morpheoa?
Morphoea (localised scleroderma, morphea). DermNet NZ 12/24/2007
07:20 PM http://www.dermnetnz.org/immune/morphoea.html Page 1 of 3
Authoritative facts about the skin from the New Zealand
Dermatological Society Incorporated. Home | Immunological disorders
Morphoea Morphoea (morphea) is an uncommon persistent condition in
which there are areas of thickened skin. It is also known as
localised scleroderma. It may affect adults or children. In nearly
all cases the cause of morphoea is unknown. It can however
sometimes follow: Localised injury Tick bites – it has been
associated with Lyme disease due to Borrelia burgdorferi infection
(not known in New Zealand) Pregnancy Measles and other viral
infections Autoimmune diseases including lichen sclerosus and
lichen planus. Clinical features Plaques. This is the most common
pattern of morphoea. There are thickened scar-like oval patches of
skin from 1- 20 cm or more in diameter. They start off mauve in
colour, then over several months they usually become ivory white in
the middle with a lilac edge. Old lesions may be brown. The surface
is smooth, shiny and hairless. The patches do not sweat. Several
plaques may be present, on both sides of the trunk and limbs
distributed asymmetrically. Superficial Morphoea Usually affecting
middle-aged women, superficial morphoea presents as symmetrical
mauve-coloured patches in the skin folds, particularly the groin,
armpits and under the breasts. Linear scleroderma. This is most
often found on the limb of a child. A long and narrow plaque may be
associated with underlying contractures. En coup de sabre. This is
a deep-seated form of linear scleroderma affecting the scalp and
temple like a sabre cut. The hair is lost permanently and the
underlying skull bone may shrink. Generalised morphoea. This is a
very rare form of morphoea with widespread skin thickening over the
trunk in this. Pansclerotic disabling morphoea. This affects
children and results in extensive hardening of skin and underlying
muscle. The growth of bones may be affected. Atrophoderma of
Pierini and Pasini is thought to be a form of morphoea in which
severe loss of subcutaneous tissue arises so that there is a
depression within the skin. Morphoea DermNet NZ Morphoea (localised
scleroderma, morphea). DermNet NZ 12/24/2007 07:20 PM
http://www.dermnetnz.org/immune/morphoea.html Page 2 of 3 En coup
de sabre Generalised morphoea Natural history Plaque-type morphoea
is usually active for several years then slowly softens, leaving
brown staining and sometimes depressed areas of skin. Linear
morphoea lasts longer, but also eventually improves, although
sometimes deposits of calcium arise within the lesions. Limbs
affected by severe morphoea may be stiff and weak if there is
muscle wasting. Pigmentation from burnt-out morphoea Subcutaneous
atrophy due to morphoea Treatment Unfortunately there is no
available effective treatment for most cases of morphoea.
Occasionally the following are found helpful: Topical calcipotriol
Methotrexate Systemic steroids Intralesional steroid injections
Photochemotherapy or phototherapy with UVA1 Long courses of oral
penicillin or tetracycline antibiotics Ciclosporin Colchicine
Pentoxifylline Penicillamine Diphenylhydantoin (phenytoin) Related
information Other websites: Morphoea (localised scleroderma,
morphea). DermNet NZ 12/24/2007 07:20 PM
http://www.dermnetnz.org/immune/morphoea.html Page 3 of 3
Scleroderma in children – from Paediatric Rheumatology site Raynaud
and Scleroderma Association Morphea – emedicine dermatology, the
online textbook DermNet does not provide an on-line consultation
service. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment,
see a dermatologist for advice. Created 1999. Last updated 14 Nov
2007. © 2007 NZDS. Disclaimer.
