XanthomaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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
William Drake is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Drake is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Xanthoma. He is also highly rated in 47 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cirrhosis, Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Xanthoma, and High Cholesterol. Dr. Drake is currently accepting new patients.
Trinity Clinic
Mark Strauss is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Strauss is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Xanthoma. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Xanthoma, Cirrhosis, High Cholesterol, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Strauss is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine. Dr. Strauss is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Family Care
Shane Ashford is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Denton, Texas. Dr. Ashford is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Xanthoma. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cirrhosis, Xanthoma, Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, and Hypertension. Dr. Ashford is currently accepting new patients.
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.