Scleroderma affecting a 49 year old Hispanic female patient's fingers. Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks its own cells resulting in the persistent hardening of the connective tissue. It can affect any part of the body and be localised or systemic. Although there is no treatment, it often slows down or stops of its own accord. Its cause is not known.