Learn About Xanthoma
Xanthoma is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin.
Skin growths - fatty; Xanthelasma
Xanthomas are common, especially among older adults and people with high blood lipids (fats). Xanthomas vary in size. Some are very small. Others are bigger than 3 inches (in) or 7.5 centimeters (cm) in diameter. They may appear anywhere on the body. But, they are most often seen on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks.
Xanthomas may be a sign of a medical condition that involves an increase in blood lipids (fats). Such conditions include:
- Certain cancers
- Diabetes
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Inherited metabolic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia
- Scarring of the liver due to blocked bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis)
- Inflammation and swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Xanthelasma palpebra is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids. It usually occurs without any underlying medical condition.
Some xanthomas look like a yellow to orange bump (papule) with defined borders. There may be several individual ones or they may form clusters. Others, such as those next to tendons, do not affect the skin color.
If you have a disease that causes increased blood lipids, treating the condition may help reduce the development of xanthomas.
If the growth bothers you, your provider may remove it by surgery or with a laser. However, xanthomas may come back after surgery.
Texas Health Family Care
Dr. William Drake has been serving the primary care needs of North Texas families since 1995. He is focused on providing quality preventative medicine as the first line of defense for patients of all ages. Dr. Drake is dedicated to serving his patients by providing personalized health and wellness services through exemplary care, education and research. He is especially passionate about research and treatments in the areas of juvenile and adult diabetes.Dr. Drake earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan in East Lansing. He completed his family medicine residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Drake is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Tarrant County Medical Society, Texas Academy of Family Physicians and Texas Medical Association. Dr. Drake is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Xanthoma. His top areas of expertise are Cirrhosis, Xanthoma, Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, and High Cholesterol.
Texas Health Executive Direct
Luke Ouyang is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Allen, Texas. Dr. Ouyang is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Xanthoma. His top areas of expertise are Infant Hyperglycemia, Cirrhosis, Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, and Xanthoma.
Texas Health Family Care
Suthee Thumasathit is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Mesquite, Texas. Dr. Thumasathit is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Xanthoma. His top areas of expertise are Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Xanthoma, Cirrhosis, and High Cholesterol.
The growth is noncancerous and painless, but it may be a sign of another medical condition.
Contact your provider if xanthomas develop. They may indicate an underlying disorder that needs treatment.
To reduce the development of xanthomas, you may need to regulate your blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Summary: This study will evaluate people with dyslipidemias - disorders that affect the fat content in the blood. Fats, or lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, are carried in the blood in particles called lipoproteins. These particles are involved in causing blood vessel diseases that can lead to conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or heart attack. Participants will underg...
Summary: The Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project (MDBP) seeks to collect and analyze clinical data and biological samples from leukodystrophy patients worldwide to support ongoing and future research projects. The MDBP is one of the world's largest leukodystrophy biorepositories, having enrolled nearly 2,000 affected individuals since it was launched over a decade ago. Researchers working in the biorepo...
Published Date: April 01, 2025
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dinulos JGH. Cutaneous manifestations of internal disease. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 26.
James WD. Errors in metabolism. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 21.
Massengale WT. Xanthomas. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 92.