Emma, Chelsea's mom

My name is Emma and we live in Australia. My 9 year old daughter was diagnosed with linear and sabre morphea in the early part of 2004. It started with a white disc like shape near her left ear. Her GP and a ENT dismissed it as an abscess and did not warrant further treatment. She then developed a dent in her head - again on the left side of her head - which had no hair and was getting larger slowly like the one near her ear. I finally worked out they were connected and requested to see a dermatologist... He said she had Morphea and there was no known cure or treatment. He gave me a cream and said give it a try but had no positive feedback on it. Great!!

Since then she has gotten another one on her left cheek and only today we found another one developing on her head (left again). The doctors say that this is prone in families with skin problems - mmmmmm who knows!!!

I am terrified that they will continue to appear - so far they are bearable but gradually becoming worse. We have tried steroid creams, laser therapy (which made the scar softer but that is all - not really relevant to her situation) we have consulted herbalists and naturopaths - no vast improvement. Her health is good but she does suffer from frequent headaches which apparently can be related.
My frustration is that no one seems to know how to deal with this problem and there does not appear to be any known research into the matter.

HELP - does anyone have any alternate ideas for us? Chelsea is a beautiful girl with a wonderful spirit and it breaks my heart to see her afraid of showing her full self to people because of what they may say.

I'd love to hear from anyone.

Emma - emma_maclean@tpg.com.au