Xanthelasma: what it is, causes and treatment

Xanthelasma are yellowish spots, similar to papules, that are raised on the skin and appear mainly in the eyelid region, but can also appear in other parts of the face and body, such as the neck, shoulders, armpits and chest. Xanthelasma plaques do not cause symptoms, that is, they do not cause pain, do not itch and do not generate any complications, but over time they grow progressively.

These spots are yellow because they are deposits of fat on the skin and, most of the time, they appear because of high levels of cholesterol in the blood, which can be associated with liver disease, hyperglycemia or atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fat in the wall. of the heart arteries. Find out more about what atherosclerosis is, its symptoms and how to treat it.

Possible causes

Xanthelasma appears more frequently in women over 40 years of age, and the causes of this condition, in most cases, are related to very high levels of bad cholesterol, LDL, and very low levels of good cholesterol, however, other health problems may be associated with the appearance of xanthelasma spots on the eyelids, such as liver cirrhosis, for example.

In some cases, in addition to increased cholesterol, people with xanthelasma experience hyperglycemia, which is when blood sugar levels are also high and this can occur due to diabetes, hypothyroidism or the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and oral retinoids. .

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of xanthelasma is generally made by a dermatologist through examination of the skin around the eyes, however, heart examinations or blood tests may be requested to analyze the levels of fat in the bloodstream and thus check whether There are other diseases associated with the appearance of xanthelasma spots.

The doctor may also order tests such as skin biopsy to rule out that the plaques on the skin are other health problems, such as chalazion, sebaceous hyperplasia or some type of cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma. See more about what basal cell carcinoma is, main symptoms and treatment.

Treatment options

The spots caused by xanthelasma do not disappear over time and when they affect the aesthetics of the face, a dermatologist can recommend an appropriate treatment based on the size of the plaques and the person’s skin type, which can be done with:

• Peeling chemical: is the type of treatment in which dichloroacetic acid or trichloroacetic acid is used, in concentrations between 50% and 100%, to destroy xanthelasma plaques. These acids should only be applied by trained professionals because of the risk of skin burns;
• Surgery: consists of removing the xanthelasma plaques through small cuts made by a doctor;
• Lasertherapy: it is an option widely used to eliminate xanthelasma spots on the eyelid through the direct action of the laser on these lesions;
• Cryotherapy: This involves applying liquid nitrogen directly to the xanthelasma plaques, leading to the elimination of these lesions. In this case, liquid nitrogen freezes the xanthelasma plaques on the eyelid, and because of the risk of swelling in the face it is not always indicated;
• Medicines: Some studies show that the drug probucol can reduce the cells that lead to the appearance of xanthelasma plaques, but more evidence is still needed for its application.

Other types of treatments may also be indicated, depending on the characteristics of the xanthelasma, such as the application of interleukin or cyclosporine injection, radiofrequency removal or fractional CO2 laser, which help eliminate plaques on the eyelids. Check out how the fractional CO2 laser is made.

Although there are several ways to eliminate xanthelasma spots, the most important thing is to create healthy habits that help reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood, as this is the main cause of this type of plaque on the skin. Therefore, you should consult a general practitioner and a nutritionist to start treatment to lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the person’s risk of developing other health problems, such as atherosclerosis.