Calcium Deposits In Skin: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

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Nutrition

Calcium Deposits in Skin

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on May 31, 2018

Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Alternative treatments
Takeaway

What are calcium deposits in the skin?

Your body uses hydroxyapatite to build and strengthen bones and teeth. Hydroxyapatite is a type of calcium phosphate. Calcification (calcinosis) occurs when abnormal amounts of calcium phosphate are deposited in the body’s soft tissue.

Calcinosis in the skin often appears as white or yellowish lumps.

Symptoms of calcium deposits in skin

Calcium deposits in the skin often seem to occur without warning. These bumps might be a sign or symptom of a medical condition.

The primary symptom of calcinosis is the appearance of firm, pimple-like bumps or nodules on the skin that are white or yellow. They also have the following characteristics:

The bumps can appear in various sizes and quantities.
They often appear in clusters.
They are most commonly found on the elbows, fingers, or shins, though they can appear anywhere on the body.
If punctured, this type of nodule will leak a white, chalky, paste-like material.
They can cause tenderness and even pain on the affected area
Bumps arising near joints can cause joint stiffness.

What causes calcium deposits in skin?

There are four different types of calcium deposits, each based on the cause of the condition:

dystrophic calcinosis cutis
iatrogenic calcinosis cutis
metastatic calcinosis cutis
idiopathic calcinosis cutis

Dystrophic calcinosis

Dystrophic calcinosis can occur in tissue that is damaged or inflamed, or has become malignant or died. Conditions that can lead to dystrophic calcinosis cutis are:

skin injury
skin infections
connective tissue diseases
panniculitis
acne
tumors

Iatrogenic calcinosis

Iatrogenic calcinosis are typically attributed to certain medications and medical procedures such as repeated drawing of blood from an infant’s heel.

Metastatic calcinosis

Metastatic calcinosis can result from any medical condition associated with excess phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia) and calcium (hypercalcemia), including:

kidney failure
sarcoidosis
paraneoplastic hypercalcemia
hyperparathyroidism
milk-alkali syndrome
calciphylaxis
excess vitamin D

Idiopathic calcinosis

Idiopathic calcinosis cutisis calcinosis that can’t be attributed to a specific cause. The typical reasons have been ruled out:

Phosphate and calcium levels in your body are normal.
There is no evidence of previous tissue damage.
You’re not taking medications that could trigger calcinosis.
You haven’t had medical procedures recently that could trigger calcinosis.

How to treat calcium deposits on the skin

Your doctor has a number of different treatments available and will recommend the one they feel is best suited to your situation. Some of those options are:

intralesional corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone acetonide and triamcinolone diacetate
calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) and verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, such as Gaviscon Extra Relief Formula and Acid Gone Antacid
colchicine (Colcrys), an anti-inflammatory medication
warfarin (Coumadin, Marevan), used to treat blood clots
laser therapy, the use of light energy to dissolve the calcium deposits
iontophoresis, the use of low levels of electric current to dissolve the calcium deposits by delivering medication — such as cortisone — directly to the affected areas
surgery to remove the calcium deposits

Alternative treatments

There are a few natural remedies you can try to treat calcium deposits on the skin:

Massage. Although not necessarily recommended by medical professionals, many people claim that massaging the affected area with aloe vera gel or olive oil eliminates the calcium deposits over time.
Diet. Many advocates of natural healing suggest lowering your calcium intake and avoiding foods such as dairy products can help.
Apple cider vinegar. Some believe that drinking 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in 8 ounces of water every day will help break down calcium deposits.
Chanca piedra. Others suggest the herb chanca piedra can break down the buildup of calcium in the body.

The takeaway

If you discover whitish or yellowish bumps on your skin, visit your doctor to find out if these are calcium deposits. Your doctor can determine if they should be treated or an underlying cause needs to be addressed. They will discuss options with you and recommend a treatment that best aligns with your needs.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Calcinosis: An intractable and distressingproblem (slideshow). (2016).https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/calcinosis-intractable-distressing-problem-slideshow/
Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee onthe Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. (1997). Calcium. Dietary reference intakes for calcium, phosphorus,magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK109827/
Le C, et al. (2017). Calcinosis cutis. StatPearls.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448127/
Mayo Clinic Staff.(2018). Calcium channel blockers.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/calcium-channel-blockers/art-20047605

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on May 31, 2018

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