Xanthoma is a skin condition in which fat builds up under the surface of the skin.
Alternative Names:
Skin growths - fatty; Xanthelasma
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Xanthomas are common, particularly among older adults and persons with high blood lipids.
Xanthomas vary in size. Some are very small, while others are bigger than 3 inches in diameter. They may appear anywhere on the body, but are most often seen on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks.
They may be a sign of a medical condition that involves an increase in blood lipids. Such conditions include:
Xanthelasma palpebra is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids.
Symptoms:
A xanthoma looks like a sore or bump under the skin. It's usually flat, soft to the touch, and yellow in color. It has sharp, distinct edges.
Signs and tests:
Your doctor will examine the skin. Usually, your doctor can diagnose a xanthoma simply by looking at your skin. A biopsy of the growth will show a fatty deposit.
Review Date: 4/16/2007
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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General Dermatology, Internal Medicine
