Xanthelasma is a type of skin ailment that affects the area near and around the upper eyelid. It forms yellow color patches that can stretched appearance in the edges or in elliptical patterns. The yellow patches are formed because of the accumulation of cholesterol underneath the eyelid skin. These patches or growths are not painful or harmful. Xanthelasma mostly affects people from the Mediterranean region and Asians.
Xanthelasma may indicate high cholesterol levels in the affected person. Both males and females are at risk of developing xanthelasma . But children are not at risk of developing this skin disorder as it only affects people who are above 15 years. As xanthelasma indicates high cholesterol in blood, the affected patient should immediately consult a doctor as it can cause serious heart problems. A patient will have to undergo a thorough cardiac check-up.
Pathophysiology of Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma occurs more often on the upper eyelid than the lower eyelid. It occurs near the inner canthus of the eyelid. The most common cutaneous xanthoma is xanthelasma palpebrarum. It can be either calcareous, semisolid or soft. Most frequently, all the four eyelids are affected. Hence, they are symmetrical. This skin disorder has a tendency to become permanent as it gradually progresses.
Half of the skin lesions occur when the plasma lipid levels become elevated. Some skin lesions occur with altered lipoprotein structure and composition, for example, lowered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Patients with Type II hyperlipidemia and in the Type IV phenotype are highly prone to xanthelasma.
Xanthelasma is very rare in the general population. Also, these skin disorders have no potential to form malignant tumors. According to statistics, women are more prone to xanthelasma as they are 32% at risk and men are only 17.4 % at risk.
