Scleredema

Scleredema is a rare disease of unknown cause, usually benign. It is also a systemic rheumatism: it is characterized by the sudden appearance of severe edema and sclerosis of the systemic symmetrical skin. Skin lesions are similar to the changes that occur in the edema phase of systemic scleroderma. The disease usually resolves itself within 6 to 12 months, but it can persist for decades. Curzio (1775) first reported the disease. Pifford (1876) discussed its clinicopathological characteristics in more detail. Bushkle (1902) affirmed it as a special independent disease.