Types of Calcinosis Cutis
Calcinosis cutis can be broken down into 5 different subtypes:
– Dystrophic calcification: It is the most common form of calcinosis cutis. This condition happens when the skin is inflamed or damaged. It does not involve unusual levels of phosphorus or calcium in your body.
– Idiopathic calcification: There is no clear cause of this form of calcinosis cutis. It often happens only in one area of your body.
– Metastatic calcification: This form of calcinosis cutis happens in those people with unusually high levels of phosphorus and calcium.
– Calciphylaxis: This is a severe and rare form of calcinosis cutis. It often happens in those people who are on dialysis, have undergone a kidney transplant, or suffer from kidney failure. This condition affects the blood vessels in the fat layer or the skin. Also, levels of phosphate and calcium in the body are unusual.
– Iatrogenic calcification. This form of calcinosis cutis is often caused by an accidental mistake during a therapy or medical procedure. For instance, a newborn baby would have this condition on the heel after being taken blood from heel sticks. [2]
