Xanthoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Xanthoma is a skin disorder characterized by fat accumulation. Usually, xanthoma occurs near the upper eyelid. Sometimes this disorder is also called xanthelasma.
People who experience xanthomas generally experience high cholesterol. Women experience it more often than men. Xanthomas can occur at any age, but are more common in people aged 50 and over.
Xanthoma Symptoms
A xanthoma that attacks the skin (cutaneous xanthoma) is usually found around the eyes, especially in the eyelid area. Usually seen in the form of small lumps that are the color of the skin or sometimes slightly white, and the skin above it looks wrinkled. Sometimes there are small spots on it.
One type of xanthoma that rarely occurs is disseminated xanthoma. In this type, fat deposits not only occur in the skin but also in internal organs such as the heart and lungs. People suffering from disseminated xanthoma may experience symptoms of shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, sudden loss of vision, depending on which organ is experiencing the xanthoma.
Xanthoma Reason
The mechanism for the occurrence of xanthomas has not yet been fully explained. But the presence of high cholesterol puts a person at risk of experiencing it.
In addition, it is suspected that genetic factors also play a role in causing xanthoma. When surgery and microscopic examination of the removed tissue are carried out, a large number of fat cells will be found.
Diagnosis
Confirming the presence of xanthomas is not difficult. By examining any skin lesions that occur, generally doctors can confirm the presence of xanthomas.
If the diagnosis of xanthoma has been confirmed, it is no less important to check the patient’s cholesterol level because this disease is associated with high cholesterol. Therefore, xanthoma sufferers are advised to check their cholesterol profile in the form of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Xanthoma Treatment
Xanthomas that occur on the skin actually do not interfere with health but are aesthetic problems. If someone feels that their appearance is disturbed because of the xanthoma they are experiencing, then to overcome this it is necessary to take action to remove the xanthoma. This procedure is performed by an experienced skin specialist.
Actions to remove xanthomas can be done by applying 50–100% trichloroacetic acid, diode laser, or surgery. However, even though the xanthoma has been removed, the possibility for xanthoma to reappear is quite high, especially if the sufferer has high cholesterol levels. But not infrequently, in some cases, xanthoma can disappear by itself.
What is more important is to treat the disease that underlies the onset of xanthomas, namely the presence of high cholesterol. Treatment of high cholesterol includes:
Regulating food intake, in the form of increasing high-fiber foods and reducing fat intake. Most fat intake is only 10 percent of the total calories consumed in a day.
Doing physical exercise, such as jogging, brisk walking, riding a bicycle, or swimming, at least four times a week. Each time physical exercise at least 30 minutes.
Taking drugs to lower cholesterol, such as statins or fibrates, according to doctor’s instructions
Prevention
Xanthomas cannot be completely prevented. But to reduce the risk of xanthoma, people aged 20 years and over are advised to have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every 3 years. And if the cholesterol level is above normal, you need to adjust your diet, exercise regularly, and consult a doctor for the possibility of administering cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Consumption of cholesterol-lowering drugs should not be done on their own initiative because these drugs have side effects that can be dangerous. Therefore, cholesterol-lowering drugs should only be taken on doctor’s instructions.