Xanthelasma: Understanding Causes, Symptoms &Treatments

May 28, 2024

What is Xanthelasma?

Xanthelasma is a rare and benign skin condition in which yellow patches form near the skin of the eyelid. The yellow lesions may be flat or slightly raised, forming bumps, and the most common site is near the inner canthus (of the upper eyelid).
Xanthelasma is a type of xanthoma, i.e., a condition of localized deposits of fats (lipids) within different organs. Thus, bumps in xanthelasma are composed of cholesterol (lipid) deposits. The plaques may have the following characteristics:

Semi-solid or chalky
Soft
Papular

Also known as Xanthelasma palpebrum/palpebrarum (XP), the condition usually indicates underlying health conditions such as hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, and thyroid pathologies. Treatment involves removing the plaques using cryotherapy, laser therapy, and surgical excision. All the modalities are effective in complete removal. However, there is a high rate of recurrence in most patients.

Stages Of Xanthelasma

Based on the location and extent of lesions, it can be classified under the following grades:

Grade Ⅰ: This is the beginning stage of xanthelasma, characterized by lesion formation in the upper eyelids only.
Grade Ⅱ: Lesions extend to the medial canthal area of the eye.
Grade Ⅲ: Yellow lesions spread to the lower eyelids and involve the medial sides of both upper and lower eyelids.
Grade Ⅳ: Both eyelids are diffusely involved. Lesions are seen on the medial and lateral sides of the eyelids.

Clinical presentation of different stages of Xanthelasma A)Lesion in upper eyelid B)Lesions spread to medial canthal area C)Lesions present on the medial side of eyelids (upper+lower) D)Diffuse involvement of eyelids is seen. Image courtesy by Researchgate available under CC BY 4.0

Xanthoma Vs. Xanthelasma

A xanthoma refers to a localized deposition of lipids within an organ system. In most cases, xanthomatous lesions correspond to underlying hyperlipidemia. They can develop anywhere, but the most common sites are the hand, elbows, buttocks, and feet. You may also develop them in your joints and tendons.
When a xanthoma develops on the skin, it is termed xanthelasma. It is the most common type of cutaneous xanthoma, having a global prevalence of 1.1-4.4% (1.1% in women and 0.3% in men).¹

Xanthelasma Symptoms

Most patients report the development of yellowish-raised lesions on the eyelid and nose skin. The lesions or papules are not itchy and not painful. The plaques usually have a chalky appearance. However, the presentation can vary from yellow papules to red-brown macules. The consistency can also vary from chalky to semi-solid.² Most patients seek medical help only for aesthetic reasons.

Xanthelasma Causes & Risk Factors

The exact causes of xanthelasma are unknown. However, experts believe individuals with specific underlying comorbidities are at a greater risk of developing xanthelasma palpebrum. Being a woman, aged between 30 and 50 years, predisposes you to skin disease.
The risk groups for xanthelasma include:

Hyperlipidemia & Obesity

The periorbital fat deposits in the skin point towards a deranged lipid profile of the patient. The link between dyslipidemia and xanthelasma is controversial. According to a study in Taiwan, 50% of patients who underwent xanthelasma treatment suffered from hyperlipidemia, while the remaining 50% had optimal lipid profiles. However, the researchers concluded a link between hyperlipidemia and xanthelasma.³
It was revealed in a 2020 study that there is no association between xanthelasma and serum levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.⁴ On the contrary, a 2022 study found an 80% prevalence of dyslipidemia in xanthelasma patients.⁵ Moreover, metabolic syndrome and obesity are present in several xanthelasma patients.⁶

Genetics

A family history of hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia may play a role. The latest research highlights the role of genetically predicted plasma proteins in disease occurrence. Evidence suggests that serum levels of 12 plasma proteins (genetically predicted) are associated with XP.⁷

Smoking

Many regard smoking as a significant risk factor for periorbital hyperpigmentation and XP. In a study, almost 49% of xanthelasma patients were smokers. This factor is closely followed by obesity and hyperlipidemia.⁸
Nicotine addiction is recognized as a major risk factor for XP. Around 40% of XP cases have a smoking history. Moreover, obese smokers are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies.⁹

Diabetes

A significant number of xanthelasma patients suffer from diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.¹⁰ Several diabetes patients suffer from central obesity and deranged lipid profiles. This further predisposes them to the periorbital skin condition.

Thyroid Issues

Hypothyroidism can cause multiple cutaneous changes. Largely hypothyroidism, but rarely, hyperthyroidism can also lead to skin and hair defects.¹¹ In a case report, a hyperthyroid patient suffered from multiple xanthomas.¹² This can be attributed to lipid profile dysregulation in thyroid patients.

Cosmetic Procedures

In the modern world, numerous men and women opt for cosmetic procedures to enhance their looks. Very rarely, these procedures can lay the foundation for xanthelasma. Per a case report, a 38-year-old woman developed xanthelasma after undergoing hyaluronic acid fillers in the periorbital area of both eyes. The patient reported xanthelasma lesions but didn’t have a history of hyperlipidemia.¹³ Therefore, dermatologists should be aware of this type of adverse reaction of injectable fillers.

How To Diagnose Xanthelasma?

Your doctor will visually examine the yellow XP lesions. The lesions are well-circumscribed and may be slightly raised from the surrounding skin. Multiple xanthelasmas can occur. The disease is graded based on the extent of eyelid involvement.
Your healthcare provider will also order lipid profile tests to rule out underlying hyperlipidemia. These blood tests check serum cholesterol levels, High-density Lipoproteins (HDL), and Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL). Other tests include blood sugar levels and thyroid function tests.

Complications Of Xanthelasma

Cardiovascular disease is a common complication associated with xanthelasma.

Xanthelasma may arise due to excess cholesterol in the body. While cholesterol accumulation in the eyelid skin can be a cosmetic concern, deposition within the arteries can lead to serious conditions like atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition of plaque (fat) buildup in the inner layer of the arteries. This problem is interlinked with other pathologies like hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Studies show that XP and cardiovascular pathologies have similar mechanisms of development; thus, xanthelasma patients are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.¹⁴

Xanthelasma Treatment

The skin condition is benign and does not cause harm apart from esthetic concerns. Xanthelasma removal is the most common treatment procedure. Multiple effective ways exist to remove xanthelasma lesions. However, there is a high rate of recurrence.
Methods to remove xanthelasma include:

Laser Therapy

Different types of lasers are safe and have shown promising results in Xanthelasma removal. Multiple laser therapy sessions (depending on the severity of the condition) can completely remove xanthelasma lesions.

Ablative fractional laser therapy

Ablative fractional laser therapy using carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to completely removing the lesions. This gives superior results when combined with cryotherapy.¹⁵ The ultra pulse CO2 laser helps remove XP-affected skin without complications or side effects. No recurrence was noted in subjects till 6 months after treatment.¹⁶ An ablative YAG laser is also efficacious and safe in improving the skin condition of XP patients.¹⁷

Non-Ablative Laser

Moreover, you can get treated with a non-ablative laser. Treatment with a pulsed dye laser is a relatively patient-friendly procedure. It is painless with minimal to no post-procedure complications (swelling, scarring, etc.). There is a complete clearance of the skin and no recurrence. Additionally, modern doctors have effectively treated XP with fractional plasma instead of lasers.¹⁸ This technique utilizes plasma instead of lasers to remove xanthelasma.

The image shows a dermoscopic view of xanthelasma lesions before and after surgical intervention. A) Brown streaks are seen on a yellowish background. B) The Lesions after surgery show remnants of adipose tissue present along the margins. Image courtesy by NCBI available under CC by 4.0

Chemical Peels

Topical application of Trichloroacetic acid (95%) helps ease the surgical removal of the yellow skin. A chemical peel can reduce small-sized lesions, and when compared, a fractional laser has the upper hand.¹⁹ However, it has proven to be an effective and inexpensive adjunct for surgical excision of XP.²⁰
Some physicians suggest injecting intradermal heparin for grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ xanthelasma lesions. This is a cost-effective technique. However, an ablative CO2 laser is the treatment of choice for advanced stages.²¹

Cryotherapy

Cold therapy or cryotherapy is an effective way to remove benign skin growths non-surgically. The doctor applies liquid nitrogen on the lesions using a spraying device, a cryoprobe, or a cotton swab. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is effective. However, doctors rarely adopt it due to a high risk of eyelid swelling.²²

Radiofrequency Advanced Electrolysis (RAF)

Advanced electrolysis is a procedure in which current is passed through the skin to cauterize blemishes and skin lesions. Passing of the thermolysis current helps achieve cosmetic results. A study showed that radiofrequency advanced electrolysis removes XP plaques and has great patient outcomes.²³

Conventional Surgery

Despite the success of minimally invasive procedures, experts believe traditional surgery (excision using a scalpel/surgical knife) is the best way to treat xanthelasma palpebrum. Numerous clinical studies advocate using surgery for xanthelasma due to its effectiveness and high patient satisfaction rates. Many believe it should be the first therapeutic option in XP management.²⁴

A schematic representation of Xanthelasma palpebrum (XP) with surgical planning. Parts of the lesion will be replaced with normal skin (NS) and a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG). The image courtesy of NLM is available under CC by 4.0.

How To Prevent Recurrence?

The recurrence of xanthelasma is very common. Therefore, you should modify your lifestyle to minimize the chances of redevelopment. Hyperlipidemia is the major suspected cause of XP. Therefore, it is crucial to manage your cholesterol levels.

How Can You Manage Cholesterol Levels?

Medications: Most doctors prescribe statin drugs such as rosuvastatin and simvastatin to lower cholesterol levels.
Exercise and weight maintenance: Perform exercise regularly and maintain an optimal weight profile.
Dietary modifications: Limit fatty foods (saturated fats) such as cheese, butter, bacon, etc.
Lifestyle modifications: Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to keep your arteries and body free of cholesterol deposits.

Final Word

Xanthelasma or Xanthelasma palpebrum is a benign condition of the skin in which yellow plaques of cholesterol form on the eyelid and nose region. It is mostly linked to underlying hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and thyroid issues. As it may be linked to increased cholesterol levels in the body, xanthelasma patients are more likely to suffer from serious complications such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The growths of XP are harmless, and most patients seek treatment for esthetic purposes. The most common and effective treatment modalities are laser therapy (ablative carbon dioxide, YAG lasers, and non-ablative pulsed dye lasers) and surgical excision. However, in treatment, there are high recurrence rates. You should maintain an optimal lipid profile and ideal weight to prevent this.

Refrences

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