Morphea

Información en español Title

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Skin Diseases

Summary Summary

Morphea is a skin condition that causes patches of reddish skin that thicken into firm, oval-shaped areas. It is a form of scleroderma. Patches most often occur on the abdomen, stomach, and back, and sometimes on the face, arms and legs.^[1]^[2] Morphea can either be localized (limited to one or several patches) or generalized (spread over larger areas of the body).^[1] While it usually affects only the outer layer of the skin, in some cases it also restricts movement of the joints.^[2] The underlying cause of morphea is unknown. It may be associated with an abnormal immune response, or be triggered by radiation therapy, repeated trauma to the affected area, or a recent infection.^[2] It usually goes away without treatment within 3 to 5 years, but some people are left with darkened areas of skin or rarely muscle weakness.^[1] Treatment may be used to control symptoms until it resolves, and may include phototherapy, prescription vitamin D creams, or corticosteroids.^[2]

Last updated: 4/13/2017

Symptoms Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of morphea can vary depending on the type and severity. Morphea usually causes reddish patches of skin that thicken into firm, oval-shaped areas. The center of each patch may develop a lighter center.^[2] These patches sweat less than unaffected areas and may lose hair over time. Patches most often occur on the chest, stomach, and back, and sometimes occur on the face, arms, and legs.^[1]^[2]

Morphea can either be localized (limited to one or several patches) or generalized (spread over larger areas of the body).^[1] It usually affects only the uppermost layers of the skin, but in some cases it may involve tissue below the skin or restrict movement of the joints.^[2]

Last updated: 4/13/2017

Cause Cause

The underlying cause of morphea is poorly understood. Theories on the cause are often drawn from studies of systemic sclerosis. A variety of factors, including autoimmunity, genetics, and vascular dysfunction may play a role in morphea. Multiple environmental factors (such as radiation, infections, skin trauma, or environmental exposures) also have been proposed as contributors to the development of morphea.^[3]

Last updated: 4/13/2017

Treatment Treatment

Treatment for morphea is aimed at controlling the symptoms and depends on the severity and body surface area involved. In general, active disease (present <3 months or with symptoms of inflammation) is most responsive to treatment. Because morphea typically goes away on its own eventually, treating the condition is optional for uncomplicated, localized cases.

The majority of adults with morphea are managed with observation, topical medications, or phototherapy. Aggressive, systemic therapy with methotrexate and/or glucocorticoids is needed for those with active, deep morphea; lesions that may cause significant cosmetic disfigurement; joint contractures; or other functional impairment. Occupational and physical therapy are also important for those at risks for physical limitations. Phototherapy is also preferred for those with generalized morphea, but it is not an option for those with deep morphea due to the poor ability of ultraviolet light to penetrate deep tissues.^[4]

Detailed information about how morphea might be treated can be viewed here on Medscape Reference's website.

Last updated: 4/14/2017

Prognosis Prognosis

Morphea usually has a benign, self-limited course and life expectancy is typically normal. When lesions are superficial and circumscribed, the skin condition tends to slowly go away with time, with each individual lesion lasting an average of 3-5 years. However, some patients develop new lesions over their lifetimes.^[5] Even after morphea resolves, changes in skin color may last for years.^[6]

Linear morphea usually lasts longer, but also eventually improves.^[6] Linear and deep morphea may cause considerable morbidity, especially in children, interfering with growth. Joint contractures, limb-length discrepancy, and prominent facial atrophy (shrinkage of underlying tissues) can cause substantial disability and deformity in people with linear or deep morphea.^[5] Limbs affected by severe morphea may be stiff and weak if there is muscle wasting.^[6]

Last updated: 4/13/2017

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Research Research

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Morphea. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.
The Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium is an international organization of scleroderma clinical researchers. The consortium Web site contains a listing of active scleroderma trials, past copies of the Scleroderma Care and Research journal, and a tool for finding your nearest member institution.

Organizations Organizations

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

International Scleroderma Network (ISN)
7455 France Ave So #266
Edina, MN 55435-4702
Toll-free: 1-800-564-7099
Telephone: +1-952-831-3091
E-mail: isn@sclero.org
Website: http://www.sclero.org/
Scleroderma Foundation
300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105
Danvers, MA 01923
Toll-free: 800-722-HOPE (4673)
Telephone: 978-463-5843
Fax: 978-463-5809
E-mail: sfinfo@scleroderma.org
Website: http://www.scleroderma.org/
Scleroderma Research Foundation
220 Montgomery Street, Suite 484
San Francisco, CA 94104
Toll-free: 800-441-CURE (2873)
Telephone: 415-834-9444
Fax: 415-834-9177
E-mail: http://www.srfcure.org/contact
Website: http://www.srfcure.org

Social Networking Websites

Visit the Morphea group on Facebook.

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Learn More Learn More

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.
The Mayo Clinic Web site provides further information on Morphea.
MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Morphea. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Selected Full-Text Journal Articles

Select volumes of the Scleroderma Care and Research Journal can be viewed by visiting the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Web site. Click on the link above to learn more.

News & Events News & Events

News

Don’t Miss the NCATS Toolkit for Patient-Focused Therapy Development Event
August 31, 2017
Funding Opportunities Now Available for the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Phase II
August 30, 2017
IRDiRC Goals 2017-2027: New Rare Disease Research Goals for the Next Decade
August 10, 2017

Related Diseases Related Diseases

The following diseases are related to Morphea. If you have a question about any of these diseases, you can contact GARD.

Localized scleroderma

GARD Answers GARD Answers

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

I've been suffering for 4 years, and now this disease has become very painful. What is the treatment? How much time does it take to recover, and what should be my diet? Do smoking and liquor escalate this disease? See answer
I was diagnosed with morphea on my trunk in 1987. Treatment with penicillamine and Accutane was unsuccessful. After about 5 years, the condition went into remission. About seven years later the morphea returned, this time on my lower legs and feet. It has been treated with various medications and treatments without success. My doctors have told me that there is nothing that can be done. What treatments are recommended for morphea? See answer
Can a mother pass morphea on to her child if it is active during the pregnancy? See answer
What is morphea and atrophoderma of Pierini and Pasini? How is atrophoderma of Pierini and Pasini treated? See answer
I was diagnosed with generalized morphea 4 years ago. Although it appears to be fading away, the pain has increased. Could this indicate that I am developing scleroderma inside my organs? How would I tell if this is the case? Can I possibly die from either of these diseases? See answer

Have a question? Contact a GARD Information Specialist.

References References

Handout on Health: Scleroderma. NIAMS. February, 2015; http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp#2.
Morphea. Mayo Clinic. September 29, 2015; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morphea/basics/definition/con-20028397.
Heidi Jacobe. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of morphea (localized scleroderma) in adults. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; September, 2016;
Heidi Jacobe. Treatment of morphea (localized scleroderma) in adults. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; September, 2016;
Nguyen JV. Morphea. Medscape Reference. August 5, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1065782.
Oakley A. Morphea. DermNet NZ. 1999; http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/morphoea/.