Causes Of Calcinosis Cutis

Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which one or several of the parathyroids are producing too much parathyroid hormone. Humans have four parathyroids, and if even one of them is overproducing hormones, it causes health problems. Having excess parathyroid hormones in the blood can cause calcium levels in the blood to rise. The excess calcium causes calcinosis cutis. This condition can cause two different types of calcinosis cutis: metastatic calcinosis and calciphylaxis. Metastatic calcification is caused specifically by having too much calcium phosphate in the blood. Calcium deposits show up in the form of nodules on the skin. Calciphylaxis is a much less common form of calcinosis cutis. In calciphylaxis, the calcium deposits get stuck inside blood vessels, which can lead to serious complications and is difficult to treat. Hyperparathyroidism is diagnosed through blood tests and is thankfully treatable, so it is best to catch it before it leads to calcinosis cutis.