These include certainautoimmune disorders, acne, kidney disease, and high-dose calcium medications.
This is why it is important to see a healthcare provider if you find hardened deposits under your skin.
The lumps can vary in size and often appear in clusters.
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They are generally slow-growing and often start with redness or itching.
Even so, most people have no symptoms before the lumps appear.
In rare cases, calcium can build up within joints.
If the skin lesions break open or are punctured, a pasty substance may drain out.
Some forms of calcinosis cutis are non-progressive and many have little impact on a person’s life or appearance.
Calcium and phosphate are minerals that the body needs to function.
They are involved in building bones, maintaining heart rhythm, and other key bodily functions.
The condition can also occur when tissue damage triggers the release of proteins that bind calcium in clumps.
The termdysmorphictranslates to “abnormal shape.”
Causes include autoimmune diseases likelupus,rheumatoid arthritis, andsclerodermaas well as inflammatory conditions like acne and varicose veins.
Severe burns, lacerations, and bacterial skin infections can also lead to dysmorphic calcinosis cutis.
The location of calcified skin lesions depends on where tissue damage occurs.
For instance, calcium deposits on the face may be caused byinflammatory acne.
Rheumatoid arthritis and varicose veins can cause lesions on the joints and legs.
Examples include intravenous (IV) calcium used totreat tuberculosisor calcium chloride paste used on electrodes for brain scans.
The termiatrogenicrefers to conditions that are due to medical treatments or decisions.
When phosphate levels are high, they naturally bind to calcium.
The termmetastatictypically refers to the spread of cancer from the original tumor.
The termidiopathicdescribes diseases or disorders of unknown origin.
Genetics is thought to play a central role in idiopathic calcinosis cutis.
Blood tests will be ordered to see if your calcium or phosphate levels are high.
The doctor may order other blood tests to see if an underlying disease is involved.
How Are Calcium Deposits on the Skin Treated?
Because there are many different causes for calcinosis cutis, there are many possible treatments.
With that said, treatment may not be needed if the deposits are not causing discomfort or distress.
Others may clear spontaneously for no known reason.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
There are no proven home remedies to treat calcinosis cutis.
Even so, some people swear by the use of apple cider vinegar.
They work by lowering the amount of calcium taken up by skin cells.
The steroid drug prednisone and anti-inflammatory drugColcrys (colchicine)can reduce inflammation and shrink calcium deposits.
The blood thinnerwarfarinhas similar effects.
However, the lesions can be removed or reduced for cosmetic purposes or if they are affecting joint mobility.
Options include:
Never Pop Calcified Lesions
You should never pop a calcified skin lesion.
The diagnosis may involve a physical exam, blood tests, imaging studies, and a biopsy.
If needed, calcinosis cutis can be treated with drugs like calcium channel blockers, prednisone, or colchicine.
The lesions can be removed with surgery, lasers, or other procedures.
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Le C, Bedocs PM.Calcinosis cutis.
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