There are many growths and changes that can occur to the skin. When patients in Calgary, AB develop yellow patches of skin in around the eyes, they may be dealing with a condition referred to as xanthelasma.
What is xanthelasma?
Xanthelasma is a condition that causes bumpy patches of soft, bumpy growths that develop underneath the skin around the eyes. In most cases, the condition is not harmful or cancerous, though it may be an indicator of heart disease in rare situations. This is why the team of Remington Laser Dermatology Centre encourages patients to come into our office to have their condition evaluated and get a proper diagnosis before considering treatment options.
What are the risk factors in developing xanthelasma?
There are certain conditions and medical factors that may cause a patient to be more at risk of developing xanthelasma. These include:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Women over the age of 30
- Asian and Mediterranean descent
- Smoking
- High lipid levels
- Heart disease
How is xanthelasma treated?
While xanthelasma is harmless and not cancerous, they can remain without any further attention. However, patients uneasy or bothered by their appearance will want to ask their doctor about removal options. Drs. Todd and Kent Remington offer various ways to treat these lesions, including:
- Cryotherapy
- Laser surgery
- Traditional excision
- Chemical peels
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Medications
For some patients who have high cholesterol, maintenance of their cholesterol levels will reduce the development of xanthelasma. However, even after treatment, some xanthelasma may still reappear. By knowing the cause or trigger of the condition, many patients can successfully reduce their appearance and reappearance over time. Additionally, our doctors may take a blood draw to determine if high lipid levels are the reason for their occurrence and help provide effective treatments to adjust these.
Do you have xanthelasma?
If you are in need of a thorough evaluation and diagnosis of what you believe to be xanthelasma, contact the professionals at Remington Laser Dermatology Center in Calgary, AB. Drs. Todd and Kent Remington can assist with this and many other medical and cosmetic dermatology needs for patients in and around the community.
