Xanthelasmas are common skin disorders, especially among older adults and among people with high blood lipid levels.
Palpebral xanthelasma occurs around the eyelids and its appearance may be related to a metabolic syndrome or hypercholesterolemia, and consists of yellowish plaques that settle in the periorbital area.
Some of these disorders are:
- Certain cancers
- Diabetes
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
These are small deposits of fatty materials below the surface of the skin, ranging in diameter from very small to more than 7.5 cm. It is bilateral, that is, it occurs in both eyes.
Such deposits can appear anywhere on the body, but usually appear on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, and buttocks.
Eyelid xanthelasma is a type of xanthoma that occurs on the eyelids and can occur without any underlying medical condition. Not necessarily, it is associated with elevated lipids or cholesterol.
The removal of xanthelasmas is performed through surgery, being a minor type to be performed under local anesthesia. So you don’t need hospital admission.