Calcinosis cutis is a buildup of calcium what happens in the skin. This disorder can be caused by an autoimmune disease, kidney disease, or a side effect of medication.
Calcium is an essential mineral for the body. Besides being useful for maintaining healthy teeth and bones, calcium also plays a role in the blood clotting process, and helps maintain muscle and nerve function. However, if the levels are too high, calcium will accumulate and form lumps on the skin.
Symptoms of Calcinosis Cutis
Calcinosis cutis is characterized by hard, yellowish-white bumps on the surface of the skin. In some cases, calcinosis cutis can cause itching and redness in the lump.
In rare cases, calcinosis cutis can develop into blisters that don't heal and cause tissue death (gangrene). Calcinosis cutis lumps develop gradually and vary in size.
Apart from the skin, calcium buildup can occur in all parts of the body, including bones, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and reproductive organs.
When to go to the doctor
Consult a doctor if a hard, yellowish-white skin lump appears on the surface of the skin. An examination to the doctor is done to find out the cause of the lump and to get the right treatment.
Causes of Calcinosis Cutis
The causes of calcinosis cutis are very diverse, depending on the type. Here is the explanation:
Dystrophic calcification
Dystrophic calcification occurs when skin tissue damage triggers the release of protein phosphate. This protein phosphate then causes calcification in the skin. This disorder can be caused by:
- Pimple
- Infection
- Tumor
- Lupus
- Dermatomyositis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Metastatic calcification
Metastatic calcification occurs when the levels of calcium and phosphate in the body are too high, forming lumps on the skin. The causes include:
- Chronic kidney failure
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Excess vitamin D
- Bone disease (eg Paget's disease)
- Sarcoidosis
- Milk-alkali syndrome (too many foods high in calcium)
Iatrogenic calcification
Iatrogenic calcifications are caused by the side effects of certain medications or medical procedures, for example:
- Infusion of fluids containing calcium and phosphate.
- Injection of calcium gluconate, calcium chloride, or para-aminosalicylic acid in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
- Procedure heel stick or taking a blood sample from the heel of a newborn.
Idiopathic calcification
People with idiopathic calcifications do not have a specific disease underlying the calcium buildup, so they are called idiopathic.
calciphylaxis
As with idiopathic calcifications, the cause of calcification is also unknown. However, there is suspicion that calcification is associated with the following conditions:
- Excess weight
- Diabetes
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Chronic kidney failure
Diagnosis of Calcinosis Cutis
The doctor will ask about the symptoms experienced and the patient's medical history. After that, a complete physical examination will be carried out. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform additional tests, such as:
- Blood tests to measure calcium and phosphate levels
- Scan by X-ray or CT scan
- Biopsy or tissue sampling of the lump
- Kidney and thyroid function tests
Calcinosis Cutis Treatment
Treatment for people with calcinosis cutis depends on the cause and severity. Treatment methods include:
Drugs
The doctor will prescribe a number of drugs below to inhibit the absorption of calcium by the body and reduce the buildup of calcium:
- Warfarin and immunoglobulin infusion, for small lumps.
- Diltilazem, bisphosphonates, and probenecid, for large lumps.
Operation
Surgical removal of the lump is performed if the lump is accompanied by pain and blisters, recurrent infection, or causing organ dysfunction. Keep in mind, surgical scars can also trigger a buildup of calcium. Therefore, the doctor will perform surgery by removing a small portion of the lump first.
Other therapy
Calcinosis cutis can also be treated with laser therapy and iontophoresis. Laser therapy aims to dissolve calcium deposits using a carbon dioxide laser beam. While iontophoresis is done to break down calcium by using a weak electric current.
Complications of Calcinosis Cutis
Calcinosis cutis can cause a number of complications at the site of the lump. These complications include:
- Limited body movement
- Pain and numbness
- Network death
- Bacterial infection
- Kidney stones
- Heart valve damage
Calcinosis Cutis Prevention
Calcinosis cutis can't always be prevented, but you can lower your risk of developing calcinosis cutis by avoiding calcium buildup in your body. Ways that can be done include:
- Routinely undergo blood tests to measure calcium levels if you are 65 years and over.
- Check with your doctor if you were born with abnormalities in the heart or kidneys.
- Consult a doctor before taking medication that can affect calcium levels, such as taking medications to treat cholesterol and hypertension, or undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
- Limit your intake of high-calcium supplements and consult your doctor about the right amount of calcium intake based on your age, gender, and condition.
- Implement a healthy lifestyle, for example by eating healthy foods, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol.
