BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuXanthomaSkin growths - fatty; Xanthelasma Xanthoma is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin. Causes 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 DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High blood cholesterol levels High blood cholesterol levelsCholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inherited metabolic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia Familial hypercholesterolemiaFamilial hypercholesterolemia is a disorder that is passed down through families. It causes LDL (bad) cholesterol level to be very high. The condit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scarring of the liver due to blocked bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis) Primary biliary cirrhosisThe bile ducts are tubes that move bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a substance that helps with digestion. All of the bile ducts...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammation and swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis) PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Xanthelasma palpebra is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids. It usually occurs without any underlying medical condition. Symptoms 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. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine your skin. Usually, a diagnosis can be made by looking at xanthoma. If needed, your provider will remove a sample of the growth for testing (skin biopsy).Remove a sample of the growth for testi...A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You may have blood tests done to check lipid levels, liver function, and for diabetes. Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) The growth is noncancerous and painless, but it may be a sign of another medical condition. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if xanthomas develop. They may indicate an underlying disorder that needs treatment. Prevention To reduce the development of xanthomas, you may need to regulate your blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels.TriglycerideThe triglyceride level is a blood test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body makes some t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos 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.AllVideoImagesTogXanthoma, eruptive - close-up - illustration Xanthomas are firm, raised waxy-appearing papules or bumps, which may occur on the truck, arms, and legs, and may be skin-colored, pink, or even yellow. The presence of this type of skin lesion may be associated with abnormal levels of lipids, or fats, in the blood. Xanthoma, eruptive - close-upillustrationXanthoma - close-up - illustration Xanthomas are lesions on the skin containing cholesterol and fats. They are often associated with inherited disorders of lipid metabolism (inherited problems with the way that fats are broken down and used).Xanthoma - close-upillustrationXanthoma - close-up - illustration Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions. They may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.Xanthoma - close-upillustrationXanthoma on the knee - illustration Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions, seen here on the knee. These may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.Xanthoma on the kneeillustrationXanthoma, eruptive - close-up - illustration Xanthomas are firm, raised waxy-appearing papules or bumps, which may occur on the truck, arms, and legs, and may be skin-colored, pink, or even yellow. The presence of this type of skin lesion may be associated with abnormal levels of lipids, or fats, in the blood. Xanthoma, eruptive - close-upillustrationXanthoma - close-up - illustration Xanthomas are lesions on the skin containing cholesterol and fats. They are often associated with inherited disorders of lipid metabolism (inherited problems with the way that fats are broken down and used).Xanthoma - close-upillustrationXanthoma - close-up - illustration Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions. They may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.Xanthoma - close-upillustrationXanthoma on the knee - illustration Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions, seen here on the knee. These may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.Xanthoma on the kneeillustrationRelated Information Diabetes(Condition)Primary biliary cholangitis(Condition)Cancer(Condition)Familial hypercholesterolemia(Condition)High blood cholesterol levels(Condition)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth)Cholesterol - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/1/2025 Reviewed 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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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XanthomaSkin growths - fatty; Xanthelasma Xanthoma is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin. Causes 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 DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High blood cholesterol levels High blood cholesterol levelsCholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inherited metabolic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia Familial hypercholesterolemiaFamilial hypercholesterolemia is a disorder that is passed down through families. It causes LDL (bad) cholesterol level to be very high. The condit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scarring of the liver due to blocked bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis) Primary biliary cirrhosisThe bile ducts are tubes that move bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a substance that helps with digestion. All of the bile ducts...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammation and swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis) PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Xanthelasma palpebra is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids. It usually occurs without any underlying medical condition. Symptoms 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. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine your skin. Usually, a diagnosis can be made by looking at xanthoma. If needed, your provider will remove a sample of the growth for testing (skin biopsy).Remove a sample of the growth for testi...A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You may have blood tests done to check lipid levels, liver function, and for diabetes. Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) The growth is noncancerous and painless, but it may be a sign of another medical condition. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if xanthomas develop. They may indicate an underlying disorder that needs treatment. Prevention To reduce the development of xanthomas, you may need to regulate your blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels.TriglycerideThe triglyceride level is a blood test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body makes some t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos 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.
