What is calcinosis?

Calcinosis is calcium deposits that occur at the distal ends of the fingers, tendons, joint capsules or pre-articular (fingers, elbows) and, in some rare cases, at the anterior surface of the legs or buttocks. When the accumulation is close to the surface of the skin, it can produce a spontaneous discharge (drainage) with or without infection, because this opening to the skin is a new gateway for bacteria. Sometimes the accumulation of calcium is harmful and requires drainage. It might be tempting for patients to intervene on themselves with household tools, such as knives or needles, to accelerate drainage. Here a word of cautious is in order: these tools are usually not properly sterile, and by doing so the patient might introduce harmful bacteria in his/her skin, thus causing an infection that might otherwise be avoided. A calcinosis drainage must only be performed by a surgeon, under antibiotics.  Reference : About scleroderma in Quebec.