Xanthoma - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand S. Urhekar, MD, MD Pathology, Clinical Advisor · Last updated July 2026
Yellow or orange deposits of lipid within the skin or tendons, appearing as papules, plaques or nodules. They frequently signal an underlying lipid disorder — high cholesterol or triglycerides — or diabetes, and so are an important prompt for blood testing and cardiovascular risk assessment.
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Quick Answer
Xanthomas are yellow lipid deposits in skin or tendons. Common types include eruptive xanthomas (crops of yellow papules with very high triglycerides), tendon xanthomas over the Achilles or knuckles (a marker of familial hypercholesterolaemia) and xanthelasma on the eyelids. The lesions matter mainly as a red flag: anyone with xanthomas needs a fasting lipid profile and cardiovascular risk review.
Symptoms
- Yellow, orange or tan papules, plaques or nodules
- Eruptive form: sudden crops of small yellow bumps on buttocks and elbows
- Tendon form: firm swellings over the Achilles tendon or knuckles
- Xanthelasma: soft yellow plaques on the eyelids
- Usually painless
Causes & Risk Factors
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia and other inherited lipid disorders
- Very high triglycerides, often with uncontrolled diabetes
- Excess alcohol intake
- Hypothyroidism, liver disease (primary biliary cholangitis)
- Some medications including retinoids and protease inhibitors
Treatment & Management
- Fasting lipid profile, glucose, thyroid and liver tests
- Statins, fibrates or other lipid-lowering therapy
- Dietary change, weight management and alcohol reduction
- Diabetes control
- Surgical excision, laser or trichloroacetic acid for cosmetic removal
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor about any yellow skin deposit — even if only cosmetic — so that cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and cardiovascular risk can be checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do xanthomas mean I will have a heart attack?
They do not predict an event, but they indicate a lipid abnormality that raises cardiovascular risk. Identifying and treating that abnormality is exactly the point of getting them assessed.
Will xanthomas disappear if I lower my cholesterol?
Eruptive xanthomas often clear within weeks of controlling triglycerides. Tendon xanthomas and xanthelasma shrink slowly if at all, and are often removed for cosmetic reasons.
Related Conditions
Medical References
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.