The term xanthelasma is derived from the term xanthoma. Xanthoma may be described as a deposit of cholesterol and fat. Xanthelasma is described as a xanthoma near or on your eyelids. Xanthelasma itself is considered harmless but is treated as an indication of high cholesterol level or any other health condition. 

Xanthelasma is a yellow bump which feels soft on touching. You are at higher risk of getting this bump near your eyelids if you are assigned female at birth. It is less common in younger adults. Most people who get it are above the age of 35. It is among one of the most common skin conditions. About 1 percent of the total population on the planet gets it.  

Symptoms of Xanthelasma 

• Xanthelasma does not have any symptoms other than its appearance. 

• Mild discomfort but no pain is associated with it. 

• It may be flat or bumpy in most cases. 

Who are at more risk of getting a xanthelasma. 

• If you are obese- Being obese carries a greater risk of having high amount of fat and cholesterol in your blood stream which may appear on your skin in the form of yellow bump (xanthelasma). 

• If you are assigned female at birth- females carries a greater risk of having xanthelasma. 

• If you eat unhealthy diet- unhealthy diets such as junk foods contains high amount of unhealthy fats which may result in yellow bumps near your eyelids.  

• If you have high BP- high blood pressure makes you more prone to xanthelasma. 

• If you have a family history of high cholesterol-It may be passed on from parents to an individual.  

Xanthelasma as an indicator of high cholesterol and other health conditions. 

• It is not always associated with high level of cholesterol. 

• About 50 percent of the population having xanthelasma are tested having high cholesterol. 

• It may be an indication of high blood pressure. 

• It sometimes indicates an issue with thyroid function. 

• It may be caused by high blood sugar sometimes. 

• It may indicate inflammation. 

• It also is an indication of future health conditions like heart related issues. 

• If one is not having high cholesterol, then the bump may be treated as an indicator of future high cholesterol problem. 

Diagnosis of Xanthelasma. 

There is no specific diagnostic test of xanthelasma. The xanthoma (cholesterol bump) is visible with naked eye near your eyelids. If xanthelasma is present the health care provider may ask for some other test to rule out other possible health conditions such as  

• Cholesterol level- xanthelasma is an indicator of high cholesterol so this test is done to rule out high cholesterol levels. 

• Diabetes-the test is done to rule out high blood sugar level in your blood. 

• Health care provider may also ask to rule out the thyroid function and liver function issues. 

Practices which can lower the risk of Xanthelasma. 

• Regular exercise- Regular exercise can be a trump card for avoiding high cholesterol issues. 

• Avoiding junk foods and including heart healthy diets in your meal. 

Treatment and management of xanthelasma. 

Xanthelasma does not go away on its own. If you take proper meal and exercise regularly the bump does not proceed towards a bigger size but in case if you include high unhealthy fats in your diet, then the bump may proceed to a bigger size. 

Removal of xanthelasma. 

Xanthelasma removal can be done by many possible medical procedures. Some of them are given below. 

• Chemical peel 

• Laser surgery 

• Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy 

• Surgery.