WHAT ARE THESE BUMPS ACTUALLY?
In previous article, I have discussed about milia, its appearance, etiology, treatment and prevention. In this article, these bumps around the eyes look very similar to milia but they are not. They are actually syringomas. Sorry for the big jargon here! It simply means a benign, or non-cancerous, growth caused by overactive sweat glands.
Their distribution is usually symmetrical on both sides of the face and confines to the lower eyelids and upper cheeks. They occur deep in the skin as compare to milia which is located near the surface of the skin. They are usually asymptomatic and have a skin-coloured or yellowish appearance. They are usually multiple and occur in symmetrical clusters.
SYRINGOMA VS MILIA
Syringomas usually occurs in people between the ages of 25 and 40, whereas milia can happen in any age group even in newborn. Syringomas have a predisposition in Asian or dark-skinned patients. Both conditions are asymptomatic, but eruptive syringomas can sometime cause intense itchiness as well as redness and pain. They can cause emotional distress, especially when extensive or disfiguring.
In the case of milia, it is a very common occurence and it is also very easy to remove as it is lying on the surface of the skin. As for syringoma, the only way to effectively treat the growths involves surgery, i.e. laser removal or surgical excision, so they are usually only medically treated when they cause bothersome symptoms. Syringomas can also recur after treatment.
PREVENTION
Prevention of syringomas involve regular exfoliation by using astringents and creams (which contain either glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid or salicylic acid), and undergo therapies that aim to reduce or limit sweat gland activity. Avoiding or protecting the skin from environmental and chemical stressors such as UV rays may also help reduce the risk of papule growth.
Factors that may reduce the risk of syringomas include:
- wearing sunscreen
- avoiding skin irritants and allergens
- making sure blood sugar levels are in a healthy range because syringomas are associated with diabetes
IN A NUTSHELL
Aside from cosmetic appearance, there are typically no adverse side effects or complications associated with syringomas. However, if syringomas give rise to severe emotional distress and loss of confidence in social life, the best treatment modality to be considered is CO2 laser removal.
“Both conditions look quite alike to the layman’s eyes.”
Written by Dr Tan WW
