Xanthelasma is a condition where cholesterol gets collected beneath the skin. Fat usually gets deposited on and around the eyelids. It is a yellow color patch which when touched, gives a soft feeling. This is neither painful nor harmful and can be removed. Adults are more prone to xanthelasma when compared to children.

Symptoms of Xanthelasma:

• The person affected with xanthelasma does not feel pain, itchiness or any kind of infection.
• This disease doesn’t pose any kind of threat of cancer.
• After a certain time, these patches either enlarge or tend to decrease.
• Sometimes, the person affected with this disease, may find it difficult to shut his eyes completely, as these patches enlarge.
• Sometimes, due to muscle paralysis or even weakness, the upper eyelid droops.

Causes of Xanthelasma:

• Xanthelasma occurs when there is a disorder in lipids in a person’s body.
• Mostly in young people, due to excess lipid content in the blood, xanthelasma can happen.
• Genes can also be responsible for this disease.

Treatment for Xanthelasma:

• In a few cases, xanthelasma disappears without any medications or treatment.
• Liquid nitrogen is used by doctors to dissolve the fat.
• If the reason of the illness is due to increased cholesterol, the doctor may recommend the patient to consume a controlled diet.
• Fatty foods should be avoided so as to decrease the cholesterol levels.
• Medicines can also be prescribed to reduce excess lipids.
• In a few cases, laser therapy can be used to get rid of the patches. Laser therapy may produce side effect like mild pigmentation in the affected area.