In the medical field, a calcium deposit on face is known as calcinosis cutis. It is a condition characterized by small hardened bumps of calcium deposits that look like white lesion on or beneath the skin surface. In many cases these deposits appear on your face but can occur anywhere on your body. Calcium deposits can occur due to damage to your skin, presence of excess calcium in the body or an underlying medical condition.
Types Of Calcinosis Cutis
Calcium deposits on the face are grouped into five categories according to their causes. They are as follows:
- Dystrophic calcinosis cutis: This is where white mineral substance accumulates in your skin as a result of inflammation or damage to your skin. An example of dystrophic calcinosis cutis is facial acne which occurs when calcium deposits appear on your forehead and cheeks as a result of damage to the dermal layer of the skin.
- Calciphylaxis: It is a condition where calcium deposits buildup in your small blood vessels. Calciphylaxis can kill your body tissues and even turn to be fatal. Diseases such as diabetes and obesity can also cause calciphylaxis.
- Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis: This condition occurs as a result of taking certain medications that increase calcium deposits in your body.
- Idiopathic calcinosis cutis: The causes of Idiopathic calcinosis cutis are not known because there is no damage to the skin.
- Metastatic calcinosis cutis: This condition occurs as result of underlying medical conditions that disrupt the level of phosphate and calcium levels in your body. An overactive thyroid gland is one such medical condition that causes changes in hormones which affects the levels of vitamin D and calcium in your body.
Causes
Calcium deposits on the face can result from many causes such as
· Hyperparathyroidism: This is a condition where the thyroid gland is hyperactive and causes excess release of thyroid hormones in your blood. An overactive thyroid gland coupled with other problems in thee glands can cause increase calcium levels in your body. The increased level of calcium can form hard calcium bumps on your face.
· Paget’s disease of Bone: It is a disease of the bone and can also cause increased calcium levels in your body. Paget’s disease affects the formation and remodeling of the bones which can disrupt calcium levels in your blood. Excess calcium in your body can cause small hard bumps on your face.
· Milk–alkali syndrome: This is a condition where there are increased levels of calcium in your blood. This occurs when you consume a lot of calcium supplements.
· Too much intake of nutrients: Consuming excess nutrients and mineral supplements can increase calcium levels in your body. Studies have shown that excess vitamin D and calcium in the body cannot be reabsorbed by your kidney. This can cause the excess calcium to be deposited in the facial skin tissues causing small hard bumps on the face.
· Acne: Acne is a skin condition that can cause calcium deposits to appear on the face. The high level of calcium in the skin after an acne infection can form hard and yellowish bumps on the skin. Acne damages your skin causing calcinosis cutis.
· Injury on the face: Any form of injury or trauma on your face can form hard calcium spots at the place of injury. Calcium deposits can also buildup after your skin is healed from damage or skin infection.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of calcium deposits on the face depend on the underlying causes. The following are the symptoms of calcinosis cutis:
· You can notice hard white or yellowish lesions on your skin including your face. These calcium bumps on your face can grow slowly without any symptoms. Sometimes the site of the calcium deposit on your skin can be irritating and painful. Calcium can be deposited in other areas of your body such as joints. This causes pain when you are moving and can also affect your nerves.
· In some cases, the wound on your skin can be infected and pus may come out of the affected area. Calcium deposits can lead to death of your tissues in severe cases.
Treatment of Calcium Deposits on the Face
Successful treatment of calcium deposit on the face is based on identifying and managing the underlying condition. Treatment may include medications surgery intervention and home remedies.
· Medications: Certain drugs can be recommended by your doctor to reduce calcium level in the body. Examples of prescribed drugs include magnesium oxide, etidronate disodium, diltiazem hydrochloride and calcium-channel blockers. You can also apply topical medications such as creams to eliminate dead skin cells and promote a glowing skin again. This can also get rid of calcium deposits in the skin.
· Surgery: In case other treatment options fail to improve the conditions, surgery will be used to eliminate calcium deposit in the face. However surgery can also increase calcium levels in your body and cause more complications.
· Home remedies: You can also use simple home remedies to relieve symptoms associated with calcium deposits. Although home remedies cannot remove calcium deposits, they are effective in providing some relief. You can apply an ice pack on the calcium deposit on your skin for some time. This will ease pain and make you comfortable.
