Xanthoma – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments

Xanthoma – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments  with medications. Also, Xanthoma is a skin condition where certain fats accumulate under the surface of the skin. Xanthoma is a kind of benign skin tumor composed of lipids, which can appear anywhere on the body, especially in the elbows, knees, hands, feet, thighs and buttocks. Xanthelasmas are also small deposits of fatty matter, only concentrated in the eyelid region. It is not a disease, but the apparent manifestation of some disturbance in the metabolism of lipids, especially cholesterol.

Therefore, it is important that Xanthoma not be confused with xanthelasma, since the latter is not related to lipid alteration. This condition can be primary or secondary to other diseases and conditions, such as diabetes , primary biliary cirrhosis, metabolic disorders and some types of cancer.

These lesions form in a natural attempt by the body to protect itself against the accumulation of proteins that carry cholesterol, called lipoproteins. With this intention, the cells responsible for organic cleaning, called macrophages, literally swallow the fat deposited in the tissues.

However, macrophages cannot completely eliminate lipids, as they do with microorganisms, and they turn into cells full of fat, which, because they have nowhere to go, accumulate and infiltrate under the surface of the skin , giving rise to xanthoma _ Before the detection of a new lesion in the skin , it is important to evaluate a doctor. It is worth mentioning that the metabolic alterations and the consequent deposit of fat in the body can constitute an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Causes of Xanthoma:  Xanthoma is common, especially among older adults and people with high blood lipids. Xanthomavaries in size . Some are very small. Others are larger than 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) in diameter. They appear anywhere on the body. But, they are most often seen on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet or buttocks. Xanthoma can be a sign of a medical condition that involves an increase in blood lipids. Such conditions include:

• Some types of cancer
• Diabetes
• hyperlipidemia
• Inherited metabolic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia
• primary biliary cirrhosis
• pancreatitis
• hypothyroidism

Symptoms of Xanthoma:  The most common symptoms of Xanthoma are:

• Drafts under the skin
• itchy skin
• Skin formations that can be:
• ache
• Spots with well-defined contours.

Xanthoma Treatment:  Removing Xanthoma today is possible in several ways. You can surgically remove Xanthoma using electrocautery or laser action. If there is an increase in blood cholesterol values, treatment should be carried out with medications designed to reduce cholesterol, the so-called lipid-lowering agents. Another recommended measure is the adequate control of the diseases that cause Xanthoma and xanthelasmas, and, if indicated, the adoption of specific therapeutic measures for these diseases.

One of the main methods of treating Xanthoma is diet. When the Xanthoma eruptives and Xanthoma palms flat assigned diet low in calories and fat. Patients with Xanthoma tendon proper diet, limit consumption of foods that contain fatty acids and cholesterol.

Xanthoma Prevention :  This disorder may not be completely preventable, but there are measures that can be taken to lessen the chances of developing Xanthoma . In case of a metabolic disorder, the doctor’s instructions on how to treat and manage the disorder must be followed. The physician should be consulted for periodic evaluations.

It is important to keep blood lipid and cholesterol levels within the recommended range. This can be achieved with diet and exercise or, if necessary, medication. Performing routine blood tests to assess these levels can help maintain adequate lipid and cholesterol levels. To prevent new Xanthoma and the growth of existing ones it is important to:

• That most meals are vegetables , salads, cereals, grains and fruits,
• Avoid saturated fats (found in meat, dairy and eggs),
• Avoid the intake of simple, refined sugars found in sodas, candy, cookies and cakes,
• If you are overweight, reduce your caloric intake and increase the amount of weekly exercise.