Rhoda Olorunfemi
Scleroderma infection should not be seen as a spiritual attack a group of experts has cautioned Nigerians.
Professor Femi Adelowo and Dr. Akeem Olaosebikan of the Rheumatology Unit, Lagos State University (LASUTH) made the assertion at an event by Me and Sclero Foundation in conjunction with LASUTH to commemorate the World Scleroderma Day.
According to Adelowo, Africans spiritualize anything they don’t understand, like Scleroderma, due to ignorance.
“It is a notion of black people, especially in the African setting as we always spiritualize everything because of the lack of understanding about a particular thing. Because of that, we see those who are infected by ailments like Scleroderma to be victims of spiritual the attack,” he said.
He explained that it is not the fault of people with the disease, but a state where the body immune system known as the white blood cells fight the body and as a result, the victim’s skin becomes thickened and tightened, then changes in colour or irritation and hair loss depending on the individual involved.
“The white blood cells rather than fighting germs, decides to fight the body- the skin and it manifest with skin thickening, having light and dark colours on your skin at the same time.”
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“It is what is classified as an auto-immune disease which means the body appears to be fighting itself and the patient could be affected in any part of the body from head to the lungs, intestines, kidney, and toes.”
He also explained that “It is good to note that anybody could be infected, though there are elements of heredity involved, but fewer than five per cent. Families can get checked and should also visit a dermatologist or rheumatologist if any sign is discovered.”
Dr. Olaosebikan said advocacy is needed for victims of Scleroderma because it is an immune infection that is rarely invested, unlike the case of Malaria, diabetes, hypertension and other ailments.
“Early detection is one of the ways to get oneself checked if any symptoms occur. Any person who suspects having the infection should go for check up and doesn’t have to wait till the stage of having skin thickening before going for diagnosis.
“There are early events like swollen and changes in fingers’ colour, skin becomes swollen or, swollen part of the body. In some cases, one may notice dark colour at the tips of the fingers, emotional instability and lung infections in some cases,” he said.
Speaking on drug affordability and stigmatization, Olaosebikan said, though it cannot be cured like other diseases, but could be well managed as long as patients are taking medication regularly, and effective therapy is also needed for victims.
“Scleroderma cannot be cured but could be well managed. We have not less than twenty cases of people with this infection that cannot associate because of stigmatization by family and friends. People can’t even shake them and as a result, they get depressed, but they can summon the courage to live well.
“The government needs to come and help because a full dose cost nothing below N65,000 and for those who can’t afford, can buy brands that is not as costly are the normal price, ” he said.
According to Dr. Olaosebiakn, “Though Scleroderma could be inherent by nature if someone in the family has been infected before but it can be activated by environmental factors where carrier lives, but what is most important is to avoid sugariy foods and take in foods rich in fibre, eat more fruits and vegetable among other things.”
The organizer of the event, Ms Sarah Jatto in her speech said, Scleroderma is an ailment that could affect anybody, not necessarily inherited from parents. Though born as a normal girl, had good teenage experience until changes began to occur.
“Anybody could be infected with Scleroderma; whether white or black, old or young, male or female. I was born a very healthy girl, I lived healthily, I was a normal teenager until my body started changing, and I had chronic tiredness, change in skin colour. I have never heard of my family having it before”
She also said that it was challenging emotionally because that was when the changes were happening gradually. People’s reactions about her look and what she’d become were what affected her. It also affects everyone who has the ailment too, though it depends on the individual involved.
