If you are diagnosed with suffering from xanthoma, then the first thing that you will want to know is what is a xanthoma. A xanthoma is basically a lesion that forms on the skin due to accumulation of fat in the immune cells of the skin. While xanthomas are not usually a health risk, they often are an indication of some other health condition like liver disease or diabetes.

Xanthomas can develop on any part of the body, and they appear in the form of small and yellow protrusions. However, they most commonly develop on the skin of the brow, eyelids, feet, different joints and the hands. If you notice any strange bump on your skin, it is important that you immediately consult a doctor.

Usually we have fats circulating in our blood stream in the form of cholesterol, lipids and triglycerides. However, if the levels of these increase, the body cannot break down the excess fats into energy. This results in the formation of xanthomas on the skin. Also, conditions like liver disease, hypothyroidism and diabetes can cause an outbreak of xanthoma.

Usually xanthomas are yellow in appearance and they are the size of a pencil eraser. However, there are some lesions that can be big, around 3 inches in diameter. In order to get a positive diagnosis, the doctor will take a skin biopsy, conduct liver tests and also order some blood tests. These tests also help to identify some other health problems that are causing the xanthomas. Once the diagnosis has been made, the doctor will suggest an effective treatment plan to help get rid of the xanthomas.

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