Erica Blythe lives in tropical Cairns but a rare autoimmune disease means her fingers often become freezing cold, and researchers are still trying to work out why some people suddenly develop the painful condition.
On a stunning, 28-degree day in Cairns, Erica Blythe steps out of her car dressed in thick mittens, thermals and a polar fleece jumper.Even the slightest drop in temperature can cause scleroderma sufferers to lose blood circulation
Scleroderma is a rare auto-immune disease that causes hardening and thickening of the skin and blood vessels It also means family holidays to cold destinations and working in an air-conditioned office are off limits.A few years ago, Dr Bossingham started noticing an unusual number of patients turning up to his rheumatology clinic with scleroderma.
Dr Bossingham said it was unclear why Cairns was a hotspot for scleroderma, but migration was one factor.
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