&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;277&quot; data-end=&quot;363&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;280&quot; data-end=&quot;361&quot;&gt;Calciphylaxis: When Blood Vessels Get Rock-Hard (and the Skin Pays the Price)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;364&quot; data-end=&quot;412&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;418&quot; data-end=&quot;444&quot;&gt;What Is Calciphylaxis?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;445&quot; data-end=&quot;744&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Calciphylaxis is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;464&quot; data-end=&quot;494&quot;&gt;rare but serious condition&lt;/strong&gt; where calcium builds up in the small blood vessels of the skin and fatty tissue. This buildup causes the vessels to harden and narrow, reducing blood flow &amp;mdash; and when skin doesn&amp;rsquo;t get enough blood, it can become damaged, painful, and even break down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;746&quot; data-end=&quot;849&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In plain language:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;764&quot; data-end=&quot;767&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Calcium goes where it shouldn&amp;rsquo;t &amp;rarr; blood flow gets blocked &amp;rarr; skin starts to suffer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;851&quot; data-end=&quot;998&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This condition is most often seen in people with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;900&quot; data-end=&quot;927&quot;&gt;advanced kidney disease&lt;/strong&gt;, especially those on &lt;strong data-start=&quot;949&quot; data-end=&quot;961&quot;&gt;dialysis&lt;/strong&gt;, but it can occur in others as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;851&quot; data-end=&quot;998&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1005&quot; data-end=&quot;1047&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1009&quot; data-end=&quot;1047&quot;&gt;What Does Calciphylaxis Feel Like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1048&quot; data-end=&quot;1124&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Calciphylaxis doesn&amp;rsquo;t ease in quietly. It tends to announce itself &amp;mdash; loudly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1126&quot; data-end=&quot;1159&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1126&quot; data-end=&quot;1157&quot;&gt;Early symptoms may include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1162&quot; data-end=&quot;1219&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1165&quot; data-end=&quot;1185&quot;&gt;Severe skin pain&lt;/strong&gt; (often before you see anything)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1222&quot; data-end=&quot;1260&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Tender, firm areas under the skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1263&quot; data-end=&quot;1312&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A mottled, purplish or net-like skin pattern&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1314&quot; data-end=&quot;1359&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1314&quot; data-end=&quot;1357&quot;&gt;As it progresses, symptoms can include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1362&quot; data-end=&quot;1401&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Painful skin ulcers or open wounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1404&quot; data-end=&quot;1441&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Black or dead-looking skin tissue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1444&quot; data-end=&quot;1477&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Extreme sensitivity to touch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1480&quot; data-end=&quot;1523&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Signs of infection around skin lesions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1525&quot; data-end=&quot;1621&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If skin pain feels intense or out of proportion to what you see, it&amp;rsquo;s an important warning sign.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1525&quot; data-end=&quot;1621&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1628&quot; data-end=&quot;1670&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1632&quot; data-end=&quot;1670&quot;&gt;When Should You Seek Medical Care?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1671&quot; data-end=&quot;1762&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Calciphylaxis is a medical emergency. Contact a healthcare provider right away if you have:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1765&quot; data-end=&quot;1796&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Severe, unexplained skin pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1799&quot; data-end=&quot;1846&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rapidly worsening skin sores or color changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1849&quot; data-end=&quot;1915&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Signs of infection such as redness, swelling, fever, or drainage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1917&quot; data-end=&quot;1954&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early diagnosis can improve outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1917&quot; data-end=&quot;1954&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;1961&quot; data-end=&quot;2016&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1964&quot; data-end=&quot;2016&quot;&gt;Why It Happens &amp;mdash; and Why It&amp;rsquo;s So Serious&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2018&quot; data-end=&quot;2052&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2022&quot; data-end=&quot;2052&quot;&gt;What Causes Calciphylaxis?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2053&quot; data-end=&quot;2257&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Calciphylaxis occurs when calcium and phosphate build up in blood vessel walls, causing them to harden and narrow. This limits oxygen delivery to the skin, leading to tissue damage and poor wound healing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2259&quot; data-end=&quot;2288&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s most commonly linked to:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2291&quot; data-end=&quot;2356&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2291&quot; data-end=&quot;2317&quot;&gt;Chronic kidney disease&lt;/strong&gt;, especially end-stage kidney failure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2359&quot; data-end=&quot;2383&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2359&quot; data-end=&quot;2381&quot;&gt;Dialysis treatment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2386&quot; data-end=&quot;2430&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Imbalances in calcium and phosphate levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2432&quot; data-end=&quot;2534&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Other contributing factors may include certain medications, clotting disorders, and metabolic changes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2432&quot; data-end=&quot;2534&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2541&quot; data-end=&quot;2570&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who&amp;rsquo;s at Higher Risk?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2571&quot; data-end=&quot;2620&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;Calciphylaxis is rare, but risk is higher if you:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2623&quot; data-end=&quot;2657&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2628&quot; data-end=&quot;2655&quot;&gt;advanced kidney disease&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2660&quot; data-end=&quot;2691&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Are on &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2667&quot; data-end=&quot;2689&quot;&gt;long-term dialysis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2694&quot; data-end=&quot;2737&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have elevated calcium or phosphate levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2740&quot; data-end=&quot;2766&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have diabetes or obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2769&quot; data-end=&quot;2814&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Take certain medications (such as warfarin)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2821&quot; data-end=&quot;2870&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;Why Calciphylaxis Should Never Be Ignored&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2871&quot; data-end=&quot;2898&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This condition can lead to:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2901&quot; data-end=&quot;2950&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Severe skin breakdown and non-healing wounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2953&quot; data-end=&quot;2976&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Serious infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2979&quot; data-end=&quot;3033&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3035&quot; data-end=&quot;3123&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because wounds heal poorly, complications can escalate quickly without specialized care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3035&quot; data-end=&quot;3123&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3130&quot; data-end=&quot;3169&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Calciphylaxis Be Prevented?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3170&quot; data-end=&quot;3210&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Not always &amp;mdash; but risk can be reduced by:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3213&quot; data-end=&quot;3266&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Carefully managing &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3232&quot; data-end=&quot;3264&quot;&gt;calcium and phosphate levels&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3269&quot; data-end=&quot;3319&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Following kidney care and dialysis plans closely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3322&quot; data-end=&quot;3372&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Monitoring skin changes and reporting pain early&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3374&quot; data-end=&quot;3419&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early recognition matters more than anything.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3374&quot; data-end=&quot;3419&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3426&quot; data-end=&quot;3446&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3430&quot; data-end=&quot;3446&quot;&gt;The Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3447&quot; data-end=&quot;3658&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Calciphylaxis is rare, serious, and painful &amp;mdash; but early diagnosis and expert care can make a real difference. If skin pain seems severe or unexplained, trust your instincts and seek medical attention right away.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3660&quot; data-end=&quot;3712&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your skin tells a story. Make sure it&amp;rsquo;s being heard.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3660&quot; data-end=&quot;3712&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Costochondritis: Chest Pain Causes, Symptoms & Relief Guide

Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD): Symptoms, Causes, and Care Guide

Coronavirus (COVID‑19): Symptoms, Causes & Prevention Guide

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Symptoms, Causes & Heart Health Guide

Calciphylaxis: Symptoms, Causes, Risks & Treatment

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW