Calcinosis cutis occurs when unusual amounts of insoluble calcium salt accumulate in your skin’s upper or deeper layers. “Calcinosis” refers to calcification, while “cutis” refers to the skin. These calcium deposits look like white, yellow, or flesh-colored growths. They are firm and may vary in size and shape. Causes of calcinosis cutis include trauma, inflammation, connective tissue disease, and certain medical procedures.

This article will discuss the types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for calcinosis cutis.

There are five main types of calcinosis cutis.

Dystrophic calcification is the most common type of calcinosis cutis. This type occurs when an underlying disease damages your tissues and causes calcium to accumulate. However, it does not typically affect your calcium or phosphorus levels. 

You may develop calcium deposits in previously normal tissue if your blood calcium and phosphorus levels are unusually high.

“Idiopathic” means that there is no known cause for your calcium deposits. This type of calcinosis cutis includes calcinosis around the hip and shoulder. Older research shows that calcinosis cutis occurs very rarely in the penis and scrotum.

This type of calcinosis cutis can happen when a medical procedure requires a substance containing calcium or phosphate. When this substance enters the body, it can cause calcium salt to accumulate.

This rare and severe type of calcinosis affects your blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your tissues. It can affect a single joint or many muscles and tendons. People who are on dialysis or experiencing kidney failure may develop calciphylaxis.

The causes of calcinosis cutis depend on which subtype you have.

Damaged tissue resulting from disease, injury, or burns releases proteins that attract phosphates. As the proteins build up, the phosphates also build up and cause calcification. Conditions that can contribute to dystrophic calcification include:

When your levels of calcium phosphate product exceed 70 milligrams squared per deciliter squared (mg2/dl2), calcium deposits may build up. Several conditions can cause metastatic calcification, such as:

This type of calcification occurs when calcium deposits build up without underlying tissue damage. Typically, calcium and phosphorus levels remain within the standard range.

These calcium deposits can occur when you receive an intravenous (IV) substance or paste containing calcium or phosphate. This can happen when treating tuberculosis or using electrodes with pastes for some medical procedures.

Calciphylaxis is a very rare subtype. Researchers are not sure why it happens. However, conditions such as chronic kidney disease, obesity, and diabetes may contribute to the development.  

If you have calcinosis cutis, you may notice white, yellow, or flesh-colored growths developing gradually. These growths may vary in size and shape.

Depending on the type of calcinosis cutis that you have, you may notice growths in different areas of your body:

You may develop fine granules in the upper layers of your skin. Additionally, you may have large, irregularly shaped masses in the deeper tissue of your skin.

To diagnose calcinosis cutis, your doctor will start by assessing your medical history and performing a physical examination. In some cases, they may take a skin biopsy.

Blood tests can help your doctor rule out certain disorders or check your levels of:

In addition, your doctor may use imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis. These tests can include:

Your doctor may diagnose idiopathic calcification if your medical history, physical exam, laboratory tests, and imaging tests are standard.

Doctors may be able to treat smaller calcinosis cutis growths with:

For larger growths, doctors may use:

The outlook for people with calcinosis cutis depends on the cause and treatment method. There are certain things you can do to improve treatment outcomes:  

Adults with idiopathic calcinosis cutis may experience recurrences after treatment. However, this is unlikely in infants. Research from 2012 suggests that surgical removal prevents recurring idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the penis.

Calcinosis cutis is a rare disease. However, research shows that it may occur more often when another underlying condition is present, such as:

These are a few other commonly asked questions about calcinosis cutis. Cynthia Cobb, D.N.P., APRN, has reviewed the answers.

Calcinosis cutis looks like bumps or growths on the skin. These bumps may be white, yellow, or flesh-colored.

Prescription medications can help reduce inflammation or limit the amount of calcium and phosphorus your body absorbs. Your doctor may also remove the growths with surgery or laser therapy.

You should always contact your doctor about calcinosis cutis. They can help you determine the underlying cause and recommend the proper treatment.

Calcinosis cutis is a rare condition that causes calcium deposits to develop in the skin. Underlying diseases, high calcium and phosphorus levels, and tissue damage are among the factors that can contribute to calcinosis cutis.

Apart from the characteristic skin nodules, people with calcinosis cutis may experience itching, discharge, or inflammation. Treatment seeks to manage the underlying cause and the severity of your growths.

Talk with your doctor if you have skin growths or other symptoms that cause you concern.

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