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1. Women are about four times more likely than men to be afflicted with scleroderma. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, an estimated 300,000 people in the United States have the disease in one of its forms.

2. Scleroderma, which literally means "hard skin," is caused by an overproduction of collagen in your body's connective tissue. Collagen is normally responsible for keeping your skin and organs supple, but when it is overproduced, it makes tissue thick and immobile.

3. Occupational exposure to silica dust (not silicone) and solvents used in paint thinners and removers have been linked to the disease.

4. Scleroderma is considered an autoimmune disease. Such diseases develop when the immune system turns its infection-fighting weapons—antibodies—against the body's own healthy tissues. In scleroderma, the body produces autoantibodies. However, the disorder seems to be resistant to some drugs designed to suppress the immune system.

5. Localized scleroderma is one of the two major types of scleroderma. It is the milder version, in which the skin is generally the only organ affected. In one manifestation, called morphea, oval patches of inflamed and discolored skin may appear on the body. Many people with morphea will improve spontaneously over time.

6. Systemic sclerosis is the other major type of scleroderma. It is the more severe form. It can affect connective tissue in various parts of your body, such as skin, the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs. Systemic sclerosis can also affect blood vessels, muscles and joints.

7. Almost every scleroderma patients has Raynaud's phenomenon, which can involve an abnormal sensitivity to cold in the extremities, a temporary change in color and sensation in the fingers and toes, changes in skin color, pain and occasionally ulcers of the fingertips or toes.

8. Despite a likely genetic component, the disease isn't considered hereditary; it is rare for two close relatives to develop the disease. Scleroderma is also definitely not contagious.

9. Some of the major symptoms of scleroderma include thickening or hardening of the skin; finger sores; Raynaud's phenomenon; swelling of the hands and feet; joint pain and stiffness; joint contractures; digestive system and gastrointestinal tract problems; shortness of breath; and dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Diagnosis involves determining which symptoms you have and may include blood tests for autoantibodies and the nailfold capillary test.

10. There is no cure for scleroderma, although research continues. If you have the disease, health care professionals can treat your symptoms and try to treat the underlying disease, using both medications and lifestyle changes.