World Scleroderma Awareness Day takes place on Wednesday 29th June 2011. To mark the event the Raynaud's & Scleroderma Association (RSA), a national charity is aiming to highlight the warning signs of scleroderma, by launching a handy pocket-sized 'SO RARE', information card.

The card details three of the early symptoms of scleroderma namely sore swollen fingers, Raynaud’s Syndrome and reflux/heartburn. Identifying these symptoms is essential as early diagnosis can save lives.

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune, connective tissue disease in which the blood flow is badly impaired causing the tissues in the fingers (and sometimes the toes) to break down. This in turn may cause ulcers that can take months to heal and which may become gangrenous. More seriously, scleroderma can affect the internal organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys and digestive system.

Only 1 in 10,000 of the UK population are known to have the disease with 95% of those also having Raynaud’s. Raynaud’s is a common condition in which the blood supply to the fingers and toes (and sometimes the ears and nose) are temporarily starved of blood in cold weather or any slight change in temperature. This can be extremely painful and greatly impact on daily life. There’s an estimated 10 million sufferers in the UK with nine out of ten of those being female.

Anne Mawdsley, Chief Executive of the RSA, commented: “The ‘SO RARE’ card will a useful reminder to members of the medical profession that severe Raynaud’s should be taken seriously as it may be the first symptom of an underlying condition such as scleroderma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.”

The ‘SO RARE’ information card is available (together with a free information pack which includes details on Raynaud's, scleroderma and a list of recommended products for keeping warm) by calling Freephone 0800 917 2494 or by visiting the RSA website www.raynauds.org.uk