Xanthelasma

See also: Xanthoma

Xanthelasma
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	H02.6
ICD-9	374.51
DiseasesDB	28519
MedlinePlus	001447
eMedicine	oph/610

Xanthelasma (or xanthelasma palpebrarum) is a sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of fat underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids. While they are neither harmful nor painful, these minor growths may be disfiguring and can be removed. They are common in people of Asian origin and those from the Mediterranean region.^{[citation needed]}

Because of the hereditary component, they may or may not indicate high blood levels of cholesterol. Where there is no family history of xanthelasmata, they usually indicate high cholesterol and may correlate with a risk of atheromatous disease.^{[citation needed]}

A xanthelasma may instead be referred to as a xanthoma when becoming larger and nodular, assuming tumorous proportions. Still, xanthelasma is often classified simply as a subtype of xanthoma.

Treatment

Xanthelasmata can be removed with a trichloroacetic acid peel, surgery, lasers or cryotherapy. Removal can cause scarring and pigment changes, but it is unusual after treatment with trichloroacetic acid.^{[citation needed]}

Name

The word is derived from Greek xanthos, ξανθός, "yellow" and έλασμα, elasma, "foil". The plural is xanthelasmata. Palpebrarum is Latin for 'of the eyebrows' (plural genitive case).^{[citation needed]}

Associations

• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Menopause
• Diabetes

See also

• Xanthoma, which are similar collections of cholesterol around tendons
• List of xanthoma variants associated with hyperlipoproteinemia subtypes

External links

• MedlinePlus Encyclopedia Xanthelasma and Xanthoma
• Xanthelasma at eMedicine
• treatment of xanthelasma with acid - pictures
• xanthelasma removal
• xanthelasma forum