Syringoma
Presentation
- Small, round, translucent papules
- 1-5mm diameter
- Very common benign sweat gland tumours
- Occur on face around eyelids
- Autosomal dominant trait
- Usually first appear after puberty
Management
- No treatment required
- If necessary, cautery or hyfrecation can be used
Milia
Presentation
- Small, superficial epidermoid cysts
- 1-2mm diameter
- White, spherical papules protruding above the surface
- Occur on cheeks and around eyelids
- May arise spontaneously or after acute subepidermal blister, such as a burn
Management
- Treatment not usually required
- Cautery or hyfrecation can be used if necessary
Xanthelasma
Presentation
- Flat, yellow plaques of varying size
- Benign with no malignant potential
- Most common on medial aspect of eyelids
- Often associated with hyperlipidaemia, but can occur with normal lipid levels
- If lipids are high, xanthelasma decreases in size once the lipids have been lowered
Management
- Treatment options include trichloroacetic acid applied directly to plaques, and hyfrecation
Sebaceous gland hyperplasia
Presentation
- Common condition caused by hypertrophy of normal sebaceous glands
- Skin-coloured or yellow papules
- Occur on face in areas that are sebum-rich
- 2-5mm diameter
- Often multiple lesions present
- Central punctum usually visible
- Surface telangiectasia often present
- Main differential is basal cell carcinoma, especially if single lesion
Management
- Cautery under local anaesthesia
- If diagnostic doubt, tissue should be sent for histology
- Dr Stollery is a GP in Kibworth, Leicestershire, and clinical assistant in dermatology at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
