Xanthelasma

What is Xanthelasma ?

If you have a small, glossy, yellow oval lump on your upper eyelid, it is most likely a growth and clumping of cholesterol under the skin called Xanthelasma.

To compare your lesions to confirm whether they are in fact lesions of xanthelasma, see the images at the base of this page. More specifically, an increase or inability to properly digest lipids increases the chance of the lumps forming.

Although it isn’t dangerous or discomforting in any sort (other than it’s appearance), there are surgical and topical means of removing it. The disorder has a much higher chance of affecting those of Middle-eastern and Asian descent.

Xanthelasma Diagnosis

Diagnosing Xanthelasma is very simple. If your growths resemble the images down the bottom, it is almost certainly it. If you still remain skeptical, check with a doctor to confirm your suspicions.

Xanthelasma Symptoms

Other than the social aspects of a large yellow blemish on your face, there are no physically discomforting symptoms of xanthelasma. However, it may be forming due to another disorder or disease which has painful or inflammatory symptoms. Heart and vascular diseases are potential catalysts for xanthelasma.

Xanthelasma Treatment

Topical application of certain acids can be used as a first means, yet if the blemishes remain persistent, laser removal and surgery are advanced means of treating xanthelasma.

There is no true means of removing xanthelasma’s forever. Test cases with patients who have successfully lowered their blood lipids have not consistently reported less reoccurring cholesterol growths.

Trichloracetic Acid:

Lightly scrubbing your Xanthelasma’s with trichloracetic acid five times or so within a set amount of time (generally a week or so, your specialist may recommend differently).

High success rates using this treatment have been documented, however it is not uncommon for the lesions to return soon after. Your dermatopathologist is most likely to apply the treatment themselves.

Cryotherapy:

Extremely cooled and pressured liquid nitrogen treatment can be effective by freezing the lesion which will eventually blister and heal. A more painful means of treatment as general and local anesthetics are rarely given.

Laser | Surgical Excision:

Your specialist will recommend whether laser surgery is suitable for your case.

For relatively smaller clumps of xanthelasma, cutting and removing the lesion is a suitable means as the scars tend to be small and easily cosmetically blendable with the surrounding eyelid tissue.

Xanthelasma Pictures

The following pictures of xanthelasma are taken from patients and test studies with cholesterol lesions prime for demonstration.