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Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma



Overview

Xanthelasma (cholesterol deposits) under the skin around the eyes.

Xanthelasma, or cholesterol deposits, under the skin.

What is xanthelasma?

Xanthelasma, or xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), is a harmless, yellow growth that appears on or by the corners of your eyelids next to your nose. Cholesterol deposits build up under your skin to form a xanthelasma.

Having xanthelasmas could be a sign of another condition, such as:

Diabetes.

Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).

Thyroid problems.

Researchers have found that having xanthelasmas means it’s very likely that you’ll have these conditions in the future:

Heart disease.

Heart attack.

Atherosclerosis (even if your cholesterol levels are normal).

High cholesterol.

Who does xanthelasma affect?

Half of the people with xanthelasmas have high cholesterol levels. Healthcare providers usually see these levels in people with the kind of high cholesterol you get from your parents or some liver diseases.

However, the other 50% of people with xanthelasmas don’t have high cholesterol.

Risk factors for xanthelasma include being female or having:

Overweight.

A tobacco product habit.

High cholesterol.

Diabetes.

High blood pressure.

Family history of high cholesterol or xanthelasma.

You can get xanthelasmas between ages 20 and 70. Most people get them between ages 35 and 55.

How common is xanthelasma?

Xanthelasmas are the most common type of xanthoma (cholesterol deposits) that affect your skin. However, only about 1% of people have xanthelasmas.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

Xanthelasmas are areas of yellow skin around your eyelids. They may be:

Flat or bumpy.

Soft or firm.

Uncomfortable.

Causes

Possible xanthelasma causes include:

High cholesterol you inherit from your parents.

Diabetes mellitus.

Weight gain.

Thyroid issues like hypothyroidism.

Inflammation.

Drinking too much alcohol.

Does xanthelasma mean you have high cholesterol?

Yes, it’s very likely that you have high cholesterol if you have xanthelasmas. High cholesterol doesn’t cause any symptoms at first. A blood test can tell you if you have it.

You can bring cholesterol down to a normal level in these ways:

Eating more vegetables and fruits and fewer fatty foods.

Exercising more.

Taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will be able to see xanthelasma on the skin around your eyelids. You can have one or more xanthelasmas. If you have more than one, they may look the same on each eyelid.

What tests will be done to diagnose xanthelasma?

A xanthelasma diagnosis doesn’t require tests, but your healthcare provider may want to check your:

Cholesterol levels to check for high cholesterol.

Thyroid function to see if you have a thyroid problem.

Blood sugar to find out if you have diabetes.

Liver function to find out if you have liver disease.

Treatment

Can xanthelasma go away on its own?

No. A xanthelasma doesn’t go away without treatment. Instead, it stays the same size or gets bigger. You can’t pop or squeeze a xanthelasma like a pimple. Products you can buy without a prescription and use on your own could burn your skin, so it’s best to see your healthcare provider instead.

What is the best treatment for xanthelasmas?

Xanthelasma removal by a healthcare provider is the best option. Your provider will most likely want to use liquid nitrogen cryotherapy as a first-choice removal method.

Although your provider may ask you to change to a low-fat diet and take a statin, those steps won’t get rid of the xanthelasmas you already have.

How are xanthelasmas removed?

Although xanthelasmas don’t hurt you, you may want to remove them anyway. Xanthelasma removal methods include:

Surgery.

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (using extreme cold).

Laser surgery.

Radiofrequency ablation (sometimes with stitches afterward).

Chemical peel.

Surgery using extreme heat.

These xanthelasma treatments usually work. However, you may need several sessions to remove your xanthelasmas.

Xanthelasmas often come back after removal, no matter which treatment you get. The chance of recurrence can be lowered if you work with your doctor on lowering your cholesterol.

Side effects of the treatment

Side effects from removing xanthelasmas include:

Skin color changes.

Scars.

Pain.

Eyelid turning inside out or looking like it’s getting pulled in further toward your eye.

How long does it take to recover from this treatment?

It can take three or four days to recover from xanthelasma treatment, depending on which treatment you get. Some side effects go away in days, while others (like skin discoloration) take a couple of months to go away.

Type of Doctor Department : A dermatologist

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