Deposition of calcium in tissue folds which is not in organized form is termed as calcification. Calcification can occur in any part of the body. It can also get deposited under the skin. Calcium deposit on face is not only annoying and embarrassing but it is also painful at times.
There are several reasons for deposition of calcium on face and on the skin, but predominantly it is due to tissue damage. Tissue damage on face can occur due to autoimmune disease such as scleroderma, lupus etc.
Any injury to the joint or presence of tumor in and around the face can lead to calcium deposition.
What Causes Calcium Deposits On Face?
Several reasons have been noted for deposition of calcium on face. Basically, cutaneous calcification is divided in four major categories.
- Metastatic calcinosis.
- Dystrophic calcinosis.
- Idiopathic calcinosis.
- Iatrogenic calcinosis.
Dystrophic calcinosis is the most common of all the four.
- When kidney does not function as it has to, excess of calcium and phosphate remains in the body. The residual circulating calcium gets deposited on the skin and many other parts of the body.
- A Hyper functioning thyroid gland secretes excess of calcium. There is a tendency for circulating calcium to get deposited on face and other skin area.
- Vitamin D in excess, especially in any supplement form can create health problems including formation of calcium deposits on face.
- Bone metastasis, paget’s disease can also cause deposit of calcium on face.
How To Get Rid Of Calcium Deposits On Face?
If there is one calcium deposit on the face, it can be removed with surgery. However, when there are multiple deposits of calcium on face other treatment options should also be looked for.
Before removing these white deposits of calcium on face, it is necessary to find the underlying cause. Treating the underlying cause will eventually prevent the recurrence once the deposits are removed.
Applying prescribed topical retinoid cream has been found to be effective. Regular application of retinoid cream sloughs off the dead skin cells. New skin cells replace the dead ones. In doing so, deposits of calcium are also removed.
Certain prescription medications taken orally are also found effective in reducing swelling of calcium deposits present on face.
Face pack prepared from fruit peels is also effective in exfoliating the skin above the swelling. Fruit peels contain low strength fruit acid. It acts as an exfoliant in getting rid of calcium deposit on face.
Except for their ugly appearance, calcium deposits are not harmful when present on face. Sometimes they are painful. To alleviate pain, use ice fomentation over the hard lump.
If pain is excruciating and not manageable with oral medication, the only alternative left in such cases is surgical removal of the hard lump.