Xanthelasma are yellowish plaques caused by fatty lumps that appear on the eyelids. This yellowish plaque appears in the corner of the eye (canthus) deep close to the nose, both on the upper and lower eyelids.
Xanthelasma is shaped like a soft lump, somewhat dense, or like a round spot with a symmetrical position on both eyelids. Disorders of the eyelids are most common in women aged 30-50 years and in people with high cholesterol.
Causes of Xanthelasma
Some people can experience xanthelasma if they have high cholesterol levels in the blood. However, there are also people whose cholesterol levels are normal but still have xanthelasma.
Patients with xanthelasma are usually over the age of 30. Although it can happen to anyone, xanthelasma is more common in women than men.
There are several factors that increase the risk of xanthelasma, namely:
- High cholesterol or have low levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
- Suffering from a liver disease called primary biliary cirrhosis which can increase cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Drink too much alcohol.
- High-fat diet.
- Taking drugs that can increase cholesterol, namely corticosteroids or drugs for epilepsy.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
Symptoms of Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma is characterized by the appearance of yellow lumps or plaques on the eyelids in the area of the inner corner of the eye, both in the upper and lower eyelids as well as in the right and left eyes.
Clots that occur in one eye can increase over time, then coalesce and become permanent in the shape of half a butterfly wing.
When to go to the doctor
Xanthelasma is harmless. If you are not bothered by its appearance, xanthelasma does not need to be removed. However, you have to be careful because this condition can indicate high cholesterol levels.
Patients are advised to undergo cholesterol checks to ensure their cholesterol levels are within normal limits.
Xanthelasma Diagnosis
The doctor will examine the skin around the patient's eyes to check for lumps or lumps there. Next, the doctor will check cholesterol levels to see if the symptoms experienced by the patient are related to high cholesterol levels.
The doctor will take a sample of the patient's blood and send it to a laboratory for further examination. The results of the examination of cholesterol levels will usually appear within a week.
Xanthelasma Treatment
In general, xanthelasma is harmless. Therefore, it really does not need to be treated if this condition does not bother the sufferer. However, if xanthelasma is bothersome and has the potential to cause complications, your doctor can take the following treatment options to treat it:
- Cryotherapy, which is therapy with liquid nitrogen to freeze the xanthelasma for easy removal.
- Surgery with a scalpel, to remove xanthelasma.
- Radiofrequency advanced electrolysis, to reduce or eliminate xanthelasma by radiation exposure.
- Electrodessication, using an electrified needle to dry the tissue.
- chemical peels, by using a chemical solution to remove xanthelasma.
- The use of drugs, such as rosuvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin, to treat high cholesterol while preventing the growth of xanthelasma.
Please note, xanthelasma can reappear if the patient's cholesterol does not decrease. Therefore, patients need to lower or maintain their cholesterol levels to remain normal in the following ways:
- Reduce alcoholic beverages.
- Keep your weight in the ideal range.
- Exercise 30 minutes per day.
- Reduce foods and drinks that contain saturated fats.
Complications of Xanthelasma
Actually xanthelasma is harmless but this condition can indicate high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is at risk of forming plaque in the arteries, which can trigger heart disease and stroke.
Prevention Xanthelasma
The main trigger for xanthelasma is high cholesterol. Therefore, do the things below to prevent high cholesterol and xanthelasma:
- Reduce alcoholic beverages.
- Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day.
- Increase consumption of fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.
- Eat foods that are high in good fats, such as fish, nuts, and whole grains.
- Avoid foods or drinks that are high in saturated fat, such as red meat, dairy products full cream, and packaged food products.
Patients with high cholesterol also need to keep their cholesterol levels normal by taking drugs prescribed by doctors regularly. It can also help lower the risk of developing other diseases, such as heart disease or stroke.