Treatment

Multiple interventions are used to treat calciphylaxis, including:

Restoring oxygen and blood flow to the skin

Medication that helps keep your blood from clotting (anticoagulation medication) such as apixaban (Eliquis) will likely be prescribed to restore blood flow to affected tissues.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to increase oxygen delivery to the affected parts of the body. Or your doctor may use low-dose tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to dissolve blood clots in the tiny blood vessels of the skin.

Decreasing calcium deposits

• Dialysis. Your doctor may change your dialysis prescription if you're on kidney dialysis, including the medications used in and the frequency of your dialysis.
• Changing medications. Your doctor will evaluate your current medications and eliminate potential triggers for calciphylaxis, such as warfarin, corticosteroids or iron, and may modify the amount (dose) of your calcium or vitamin D supplements.
• Taking medications. A medication called sodium thiosulfate can decrease calcium buildup in the arterioles. It's given intravenously three times a week, usually during dialysis. Your doctor may also recommend a medication called cinacalcet (Sensipar), which can help control parathyroid hormone (PTH). Other medications may be used to improve the balance of calcium and phosphorus.
• Surgery. If an overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism) contributes to abnormal calcium metabolism by producing too much PTH, surgery to remove all or part of the parathyroid glands may be recommended.

Applying intensive wound treatment

For sores to heal, some of the tissue damaged by calciphylaxis may need to be surgically removed (debridement). In some cases, tissue can be removed using other methods, such as wet dressings. Antibiotic treatment is part of treating and preventing wound infection.

You may be offered medication for managing pain due to calciphylaxis or during wound care.