What is xanthelasma?
A xanthelasma, also known as a xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), is a yellowish growth on or near the corner of the eyelids next to the nose, caused by cholesterol deposits. They can be flat or bumpy, soft or firm, and may be uncomfortable. They can affect one eyelid or both. Although the condition is harmless, some people can feel self-conscious about their appearance due to the prominence of the growths.
Xanthelasmas tends to occur between the ages of 20 and 70, most commonly between 35 and 55 years of age. Once they have developed, they tend to remain the same size or grow slowly. Although they don’t disappear of their own accord, they can be removed through surgery, although they are likely to come back if they underlying cause isn’t addressed.
Xanthelasmas occur in a prominent place, and if you have one or more xanthelasmas, you may feel self-conscious about your appearance. Your condition may attract unwanted attention, and even questions and comments. Further down this page, we explore the causes of xanthelasma and how it can be treated, as well as the impact on your appearance and how we can help.
What causes xanthelasma?
Xanthelasmas are yellow flat plaques on the upper or lower eyelids, in the inner corner of the eye. These plaques are made up of a fat-like substance called cholesterol.
Your risk of xanthelasma is higher if you are female/assigned female at birth. Other factors that increase your risk include:
- Being overweight
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Having diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation
- Smoking
- Thyroid problems
You may not know that you have a condition such as high cholesterol, diabetes or thyroid problems. Having xanthelasma can be an indicator that you have one of these conditions – and it can be an opportunity to have your health investigated and start treatment if it is found you have an underlying condition. Having xanthelasma increases your risk of developing high cholesterol and heart problems, so developing the condition can provide an opportunity to take steps to minimise your risk.
Is xanthelasma genetic?
No, xanthelasma is not genetic. However, if you have a family history of high cholesterol, this can increase your risk of xanthelasma.
How is xanthelasma diagnosed?
Xanthelasma is usually confirmed through a clinical diagnosis. This means a doctor will be able to tell you have the condition by looking at the growths. Further tests may be conducted to look for a more serious, underlying cause, checking your:
- Blood sugar (for diabetes)
- Cholesterol levels
- Liver function (for liver disease)
- Thyroid function
Treatments for xanthelasma
Xanthelasmas don’t go away on their own. Treatment involves removing the growths and tackling any underlying causes. Xanthelasmas can be removed in a number of ways, although removal for cosmetic reasons is not always offered on the NHS. Techniques include:
- Chemical peel
- Extreme heat-based surgery
- Laser surgery
- Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (used to freeze off the growth)
- Standard surgery
Removal is usually successful, with recovery taking three to four days. You may be asked to use an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
Your doctor may recommend you move to a low-fat diet to reduce the chances of future xanthelasmas. If you have an underlying condition such as diabetes, you’ll also be treated for that.
Xanthelasma and my appearance
You may feel self-conscious about the way your xanthelasma or xanthelasmas make you look, particularly as they occur on a prominent place on the body which is highly visible to others.
You may experience curiosity and unwanted attention from other people, and even questions or comments. Some people find that unwanted attention and comments can take a toll on their mental health and wellbeing.
What support can we offer for people with xanthelasma?
If you’re struggling with the mental health impacts of xanthelasma on your life, we are here to help.
We offer counselling and wellbeing support services, designed to help you manage the social, emotional and psychological impacts of life with a visible difference. Our practitioners are there to listen to you and provide guidance on the difficulties you may be facing. If this sounds like it may be helpful to you, take a look at our dedicated page, where we explain the services we offer and how you can access them.
Our self-help pages cover different aspects of life with a visible difference, including other people’s reactions, social life and work. You may find these useful if you have developed a xanthelasma and are struggling to navigate day-to-day life with a condition that makes you look different. We also have pages aimed at parents of children with visible differences, and resources written especially for young people.
Other services we offer include:
- Online Community: Chat to others affected by visible differences, moderated by the Changing Faces team.
- Workshops for children and young people and their parents: Talk to other people impacted by a visible difference and learn techniques to help you cope.
- Real stories: Read stories by others affected by skin conditions and eye conditions.
For more information, contact our Support and Information Line. Our friendly team are here to discuss your situation and share information about how to access our services. We also offer support calls to help you deal with the impact of xanthelasma on your life.