What increases my risk for scleroderma?

Scleroderma can affect anyone, but it is more common among women, African Americans, and Choctaw Native Americans in Oklahoma. A combination of certain genes as well as environmental factors (like exposure to silica dust, industrial solvents, and certain chemotherapy drugs) can also up your risk for scleroderma.

 

 

There are several known risk factors for scleroderma. It occurs most often in African Americans and American Indians, and the same is true for women. There are also environmental risk factors, including certain types of dust, industrial solvents, and chemotherapy drugs.

Although the cause of scleroderma is not yet known for certain, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for the disease. Women are four times more likely than men to develop scleroderma. Race may also be a risk factor: African Americans and certain Native Americans tend to have higher rates of scleroderma than the rest of the population. There are also certain environmental factors that may increase your risk. Exposure to certain substances, including silica dust, paint thinners, and some chemotherapy drugs may increase your risk for scleroderma.