Acrosclerosis

Acrosclerosis, a chronic progressive disease involving the hardening of the skin and blood vessels of the hands and sometimes of the ankles, the skin becomes waxy, smooth, leathery, and tight. The face loses its expression, becoming masklike. The individual becomes weak and loses weight. The blood supply to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose is diminished, especially during cold weather. Acrosclerosis is one of the collagen diseases, ailments of the connective tissues of the body. The cause is unknown and treatment is rarely satisfactory.