Calcinosis Cutis

Calcinosis cutis is a condition that happens when yellowish or white calcium deposits form on and under your skin. They can develop anywhere, but they’re most common near your:

• Joints, especially bigger ones like your shoulders, elbows, hips and knees
• Head, face and neck
• Fingers
• Butt
• Genitals

The calcium deposits may not cause any problems. Sometimes, they go away on their own. But in some cases, they can affect how well your body functions. This can lead to serious complications, especially if they develop in your blood vessels. Visit a healthcare provider if you notice any new skin growths.

Symptoms of calcinosis cutis

The growths on your skin are the most noticeable symptom. You may only have one. But it’s more common to have several. These growths can:

• Form on the surface of your skin
• Develop under your skin
• Look and feel like something trapped just beneath the surface
• Hurt or feel painful
• Make it hard to use a joint if they form near one
• Break open and leak a creamy, chalky substance

Calciphylaxis, one type of calcinosis cutis, causes purple or red lesions and patches. These are usually very painful, especially when you touch them.

Calcinosis cutis causes

Several issues can cause calcinosis cutis, including:

• Connective tissue diseases
• High phosphate or high calcium levels in your blood
• Traumas or other injuries
• Conditions that cause long-term inflammation in your body
• Varicose veins
• Tumors
• Infections
• Scleroderma

Types of calcinosis cutis

There are five types of calcinosis cutis. Some have more specific causes than what’s listed above. The five types include:

• Dystrophic: This is the most common type. It can happen when inflamed or dying cells release proteins that make phosphate clump together in that area. That makes the lesions form. Connective tissue diseases often cause it. Tumors and infections can also damage tissue and lead to it.
• Iatrogenic: This type is a side effect from a treatment or procedure that uses calcium or phosphate. Adding extra amounts of these to your body can lead to the calcium buildups. You may have a higher risk from certain tuberculosis treatments, or after an organ transplant.
• Idiopathic: This rare type occurs without any specific cause. It usually affects only one area of your body.
• Metastatic: This happens when you have unusually high calcium or phosphate levels in your blood. That leads to calcium salt buildup that becomes lesions. Kidney failure is the most common cause. Vitamin D toxicity, hyperparathyroidism and sarcoidosis can also cause it.
• Calciphylaxis: This type is slightly different. It causes calcium deposits in your blood vessels. It’s rare, but it usually happens in people with end-stage kidney failure who need dialysis. It can be fatal.

Complications of this condition

In severe cases, the growths can lead to gangrene. This can be fatal if it’s not treated right away. Calciphylaxis can also be fatal if the lesions break open and you develop an infection that spreads to your organs.

How doctors diagnose this condition

A healthcare provider will diagnose calcinosis cutis with a physical exam and tests. Your provider will look at any growths on your skin. Tell them when you first noticed any changes and if you’ve had any other symptoms.

Talk to your provider about your health history. Let them know if you have any conditions, which medications you’re taking and if you’ve had surgery recently.

Your provider will order blood tests to check your calcium and phosphate levels. These tests can also show signs of other issues that can cause calcinosis cutis. You might need some other tests, too, including:

• X-rays
• Ultrasound
• Skin biopsy
• MRI
• CT scan
• Whole-body bone scan

How is it treated?

Your healthcare provider will recommend treatments for the underlying cause of calcinosis cutis, if there is one. That can help reduce how fast the growths in your skin form.

Your provider may recommend medications to manage calcinosis cutis, including:

• Diltiazem
• Warfarin
• IVIG
• Ceftriaxone
• Aluminum hydroxide
• Probenecid
• Sodium thiosulfate
• Colchicine
• Corticosteroid injections

Not all types respond well to these treatments, so they may not be what’s best for you.

You may also need to make some tweaks to your daily routine to improve your circulation. This can help fresh blood get to all parts of your body and improve how well calcinosis cutis treatments work. You may want to:

• Quit smoking or using other forms of tobacco and nicotine
• Reduce your exposure to the cold, and cover your skin well if you have to go out
• Reduce stress and try to manage anxiety (you may want to meet with a mental healthcare provider)

A surgeon can remove larger lesions, especially if you have a higher risk of complications. There are a few surgical techniques. Your surgeon will tell you which one they suggest based on your unique needs.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if you notice new growths or changes in your skin, especially if the growths hurt or leak fluid. Talk to a provider if it’s harder to move or use part of your body, too.

Also, let your provider know if it seems like your treatments aren’t working as well as they used to. Or if you notice new lesions forming faster than in the past.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

What you can expect depends on a few factors, including:

• Which type of calcinosis cutis you have
• What causes it
• Where it affects you

Some types don’t cause symptoms and may even go away on their own. Others may get better with medication. But you may need to keep taking your medicine for months or years to keep the condition from coming back.

Calciphylaxis usually happens during end-stage kidney failure. That’s part of why it can be life-threatening. Talk to your healthcare provider about what to expect.