Various conditions affect the skin’s appearance. The common trait of almost all these conditions is that they either indicate a deficiency or a high concentration of specific nutrients in the body. Amongst these skin conditions is xanthelasma. Xanthelasma, short for xanthelasma palpebrarum, is a skin condition characterised by lumps. They often indicate an excessive amount of cholesterol in the body. These lumps have an elevated, fluffy, and fatty appearance, and they are mainly concentrated around the eyes and arms.
Xanthelasma is believed to indicate an excess presence of cholesterol because the lumps form when cholesterol pools beneath the skin. Other medical conditions that xanthelasma helps indicate include abnormal levels of blood lipids. Individuals who are identified to have abnormal blood lipids or cholesterol levels are susceptible to suffering from heart disease. This article highlights the various clinical treatment methods available for managing and removing xanthelasma.
Steps to Treating Xanthelasma
As mentioned earlier, skin conditions like xanthelasma are indicators of an underlying condition. There are different methods for treating the various cases, and these methods outlined in this article. Before being treated for xanthelasma, patients will be required to have the following.
- Proper examination: the first step to treating xanthelasma is checking with a skin doctor. These professionals can decipher the cause of the lumps. This step is essential because it can reveal the underlying medical conditions present and help procure solutions.
- Consultation: after the examiner addresses the cause of xanthelasma formation and proffers a solution to the underlying medical condition, the next step is removal. Although the removal of xanthelasma is not medically necessary, many patients still opt to remove them through cosmetic procedures. It is essential to consult with a doctor before deciding on the cosmetic procedures to use for removal. The essence of consulting is to understand the procedures and decide the best procedure to use.
Procedures for Treating Xanthelasma
There are various procedures used in treating xanthelasma. The difference influences the difference in treatments in levels of xanthelasma. These treatments include:
- Using prescription statins: this treatment involves using medication prescribed by the doctor to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Prescription medication is cost-effective and is mainly used for low-profile xanthelasma cases. However, this procedure can take a long time to yield results.
- Surgery: this procedure is used for more complex cases of xanthelasma and involves complete removal. It produces quicker results but requires extended periods to heal and is more expensive. This procedure is performed by a doctor.
- Chemical peels: this involves chemically peeling off xanthelasma. However, this process does not entirely erase them from the skin’s surface but improves their appearance.
- Freezing: this procedure is best suited for minor levels of xanthelasma.
Factors to Consider When choosing Xanthelasma Treatment Procedure
Specific factors need to be considered before choosing a treatment method for xanthelasma. These factors include:
- Severity of the condition: there are different levels of xanthelasma, with some cases classified as minor or low-profile, while some are high-profile. For example, cases that distort vision are classified as advanced and demand surgical intervention.
- Budget: provided your case is not advanced or high-profile, there is no need to break the bank for xanthelasma treatment. Ensure to stay within your budget.
Conclusion
There are several effective clinical treatment methods available to patients for the effective management and removal of xanthelasma. If you’d like to learn more about the xanthelasma treatments offered at our Robina clinic, please contact us today.
