Both multiple sclerosis (MS) and scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis) are autoimmune disorders involving sclerosis, or hardening of body tissue. These similar-sounding conditions do share a few symptoms and aspects of their causes. Apart from that, they’re very different diseases.

The name “multiple sclerosis” refers to lesions in the nervous system.“Scleroderma” means “hard skin” in Greek, and the condition is characterized by scar tissue that builds up in the skin and other connective tissues.

In both diseases, symptoms are caused by problems with the immune system. It’s rare but possible for people living with scleroderma to develop MS. Read on to learn about key comparisons between MS and scleroderma.

Similarities Between MS and Scleroderma

Scleroderma and MS have a few areas of similarity, sharing some risk factors and patterns of how people experience the disease.

Both Have Cycles of Relapses and Remission

In both MS and scleroderma, symptoms can come and go in cycles. For example, people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), the most common type of MS, have relapses (also called flare-ups) when symptoms get worse or new symptoms start. These relapses are followed by remissions, when symptoms get better or go away. Similarly, people with scleroderma can also experience temporary or long-term plateaus when symptoms are stable, get better, or even go into remission.

The Conditions Share Some Risk Factors

MS and scleroderma can affect similar populations. According to Mayo Clinic, RRMS tends to affect women more than men, and scleroderma is more common in people assigned female at birth. Symptoms of both tend to develop in the prime of life — from ages 30 to 50 for scleroderma and 20 to 40 for MS.

Family history and inherited genes may play a role in both conditions. You have a higher risk of MS if you have an immediate family member with the disease, and scleroderma is linked with certain gene changes. However, it’s not known why exactly some people develop these conditions while others don’t.

Differences Between MS and Scleroderma

MS and scleroderma are more different than alike. They affect different tissues in the body, are diagnosed by different types of specialists, and are treated in different ways.

Scleroderma Affects the Skin and Connective Tissues

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease that triggers the body to make too much collagen, a protein in skin tissue. This dysfunction makes skin and the tissues underneath thicken and harden, which can make movement difficult. In some people, scleroderma affects only the face, forearms, and hands. Others experience skin thickening throughout all parts of the body.

Doctors have described a set of symptoms known as CREST syndrome associated with scleroderma. The letters in the acronym stand for the symptoms:

• Calcinosis (too many calcium deposits in the skin)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon (numb, discolored fingers and toes due to abnormalities in blood vessels)
• Esophageal dysfunction (acid reflux and problems swallowing)
• Sclerodactyly (tight skin on fingers)
• Telangiectasias (discolored spots on skin)

Scleroderma can also involve internal organs. Scleroderma that affects the digestive system can lead to bloating, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea. Stiffening in the lungs and heart can cause shortness of breath and dizziness. Some people with scleroderma experience a renal crisis, a dangerous situation in which sudden high blood pressure damages the kidneys.

MS Targets the Nervous System

In people living with MS, the immune system harms the nerves of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. This damage makes it hard for nerve signals to travel properly. As a result, many functions of the body, including walking, bladder and bowel function, speech, and cognition (thinking and memory), become impaired. For example, damage to nerves in the eyes can lead to blurred or double vision, pain when moving the eyes, and vision loss.

Although MS may be associated with some skin issues, such as itching and pain, these aren’t generally considered the most common symptoms of MS.

Neurologists Diagnose and Manage MS

Neurologists, or doctors who specialize in the nervous system, diagnose and manage MS. If a neurologist takes your medical history and suspects you have MS, they may order tests to help confirm that you have this condition or rule it out. These tests may include the following:

• Neurological exam
• Blood tests
• MRI scan to look for brain lesions
• Lumbar puncture

Rheumatologists Diagnose and Manage Scleroderma

Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases of the joints and connective tissue. If a rheumatologist thinks you may have scleroderma, they may order tests such as these:

• Blood tests such as antinuclear antibody tests
• Physical exam to look for signs of Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Pulmonary (lung function) tests
• Chest X-rays and CT scans to examine the lungs
• Electrocardiogram to check for heart issues
• Urine tests to check for kidney or liver problems

MS Treatment Slows Damage to Nerves

There’s not a cure for MS, but more than 15 disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) have been approved to help slow disease progression and reduce the rate of relapses. Doctors may also recommend approaches such as physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and medications to improve energy to manage symptoms of MS.

Scleroderma Therapy Focuses on Symptom Control and Prevention

There’s no way to stop the overproduction of collagen in scleroderma. Treatment for scleroderma focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing complications. Rheumatologists may recommend:

• Blood pressure drugs to improve circulation
• Immunosuppressive drugs to slow disease progression
• Antacids and antibiotics to help with digestive symptoms

For people with life-threatening damage to the kidneys or lungs, transplants may be an option. If you have serious symptoms of scleroderma that haven’t responded to other therapies, you may be considered for a bone marrow transplant.

Communicate With Your Health Care Team

If you’re living with a chronic condition like MS or scleroderma, it’s vital to stay in close communication with your medical team. Be sure to report any new or worsening symptoms and attend all recommended appointments. This way, your doctors and nurses can help you manage your condition and catch any other health problems before they become serious complications.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMSTeam is the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones. On MyMSTeam, more than 215,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MS.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with MS, scleroderma, or both? Share your experience in a comment below, or start a new conversation on your Activities page.