Medical Health Encyclopedia

It is nearly impossible to determine if specific chemicals may actually cause systemic scleroderma, primarily because few people develop scleroderma while many people are exposed to such chemicals. In addition, research has been unable to consistently replicate studies that have reported associations with chemicals.

Studies have found, however, that certain industrial toxins are significantly associated with severe pulmonary problems in people with scleroderma. Those most likely to be associated with severe disease include epoxy resins, white spirit, solvents, and silica mixed with welding fumes. 

Repetitive Stress Injuries. Raynaud's phenomena and symptoms of scleroderma have been associated with jobs that require intense repetitive hand and arm movements, such as working jackhammers or other vibrating tools. As with chemical industries, many workers are involved in such occupations but scleroderma is very rare, even in this group. If there is a link, the disease would most likely develop in individuals with genetic factors that make them susceptible to disease in the first place.

Text Continues Below

---

Radiation. Radiation therapy has been reported to induce morphea (local scleroderma patches) or exacerbate preexisting scleroderma in a few patients. In some cases, it may occur years after treatments.

Infections

Researchers theorize that infections may play a role in triggering the process leading to some cases of scleroderma. There is no significant evidence of any single organism that might be responsible, although some are of particular interest.

Lyme Disease. Some studies reported an association between Borrelia burgdorferi, the infectious agent in Lyme Disease, and some cases of morphea (localized scleroderma patches). However, the evidence is weak and if it exists is possibly limited to a specific variant in Europe and Asia. There is no association with systemic scleroderma and Lyme disease.