Symptoms

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis can begin days to months, and even years, after exposure to an older gadolinium-based contrast agent (group 1). Some signs and symptoms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis may include:

• Swelling and tightening of the skin
• Reddened or darkened patches on the skin
• Thickening and hardening of the skin, typically on the arms and legs and sometimes on the body, but almost never on the face or head
• Skin that may feel "woody" and develop an orange-peel appearance
• Burning, itching or severe sharp pains in areas of involvement
• Skin thickening that inhibits movement, resulting in loss of joint flexibility
• Rarely, blisters or ulcers

In some people, involvement of muscles and body organs may cause:

• Muscle weakness
• Limitation of joint motion caused by muscle tightening (contractures) in arms, hands, legs and feet
• Bone pain, particularly in the hip bones or ribs
• Reduced internal organ function, including heart, lung, diaphragm, gastrointestinal tract or liver
• Yellow plaques on the white surface (sclera) of the eyes

The condition is generally long term (chronic), but some people may improve. In a few people, it can cause severe disability, even death.