Xanthelasmas: Those White Spots Around The Eyes
Even if they are annoying from an aesthetic point of view, the problem with xanthelasmas is that they highlight excess cholesterol in the body, which could trigger cardiovascular complications.
You may never have heard of xanthelasmas. These are small spots that appear around the eyes. If left untreated, they can turn into small, very unsightly benign tumors.
These small fatty accumulations appear on the eyelid, the teardrop or the bags under the eyes. When patients discover these white spots, they are often very surprised.
Many attribute them to age or the effects of the sun. Or they think they are simple spots that can be concealed with a little makeup.
But these spots grow until they become protuberances. In some cases, they reach very worrying dimensions and it is necessary to resort to surgery.
In this article, we explain the causes of these white spots and what to do in case they appear around the eyes.
Xanthelasmas and cholesterol
We have already given you a first lead: cholesterol. These are small benign tumors that serve as organic deposits.
It is a direct and amazing response from the body that shows something is not working right. These fatty deposits can also appear in other areas.
Many people suffer from it especially on the knees, hands or feet. In this case, they are given the name xanthomas.
Are xanthelasmas dangerous?
The xanthelasmas are benign lesions almost always generated a very high level of cholesterol in the blood.
- Xanthelasma by itself is not serious and is not related to a tumor in the skin.
- However, it is a direct symptom of high cholesterol and this condition is serious.
It is therefore necessary and vital to consult a doctor for a checkup and treatment to reduce cholesterol.
- Xanthelasma is therefore not inherently dangerous. What is dangerous is what causes it to appear.
- When xanthelasmas are formed, the risk of suffering from a cardiovascular event increases significantly.
Xanthelasmas can appear in one or two eyes. These yellowish or whitish accumulations of fat are located on the skin layer and do not affect the eye sockets or eyes.
They can also be due to another type of skin disease
Dermatologists tell us that these spots or small lumps around the eyes are not always linked to high cholesterol.
There is a low probability of suffering from what is called xanthogranulomatosis.
- This is a disease where the skin tends to accumulate fat. It is common in patients who have various more or less firm subcutaneous nodules on their skin, both on the eyes and on the legs.
- You should know that xanthogranulomatosis is a rare disease.
How to treat xanthelasmas?
The first thing to do will be to see a doctor and find out what is causing xanthelasmas.
Since cholesterol is behind this damage to the skin, the most important thing will be to follow an appropriate treatment.
In this article, we will also help you solve the aesthetic part. We don’t forget that xanthelasmas break the balance of our face and are not pleasing to the eye.
There are several treatments available and your dermatologist will advise you on the most suitable option.
1. Surgery
It is the most common, depending on the lesions caused by these accumulations of fat. But we must not forget that the operation can leave a mark.
The skin of the eyelids or bags under the eyes is very delicate and scars may appear more easily.
2. Peeling with trichloroacetic acid and CO2 laser
Thanks to this technique, we reduce the risk of getting scars. The only thing it can cause is a slight discoloration of the skin from a small burn.
3. The Nd-YAG laser
This is another type of laser surgery where the lesions that can remain are minimal or almost nonexistent.
It is applied by local anesthesia and recovery is rapid. However, in severe and large cases, small injections into the skin are needed to repair the areas around the eyes.
Surgery is not the only solution to the problem: you need to take more care of yourself
To conclude, know that xanthelasmas are benign tumors that disappear thanks to an operation.
But above all, it is necessary to take more care of your health and balance your cholesterol levels in the blood.
According to several studies, when a person begins to spot xanthelasmas, they can suffer from a heart problem in the medium to short term.
