Xanthoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Xanthoma?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, usually treats xanthoma. Because xanthomas may be a sign of a condition that raises the fats in the blood, a provider may also order blood tests to check fat levels, liver function, and diabetes. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is xanthoma?
Xanthoma is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin. A xanthoma is a yellow-orange lump in the skin made up of fat. The fat collects inside a type of immune cell called a macrophage. Xanthomas are common, especially among older adults and people with high blood lipids, which are fats in the blood. The growth is noncancerous and painless, but it may be a sign of another medical condition.
Symptoms
Some xanthomas look like a yellow to orange bump with clear borders. There may be several individual ones, or they may form clusters. Others, such as those next to tendons (the cords that join muscle to bone), do not change the skin color.
Xanthomas vary in size, and some are very small. Others are bigger than 3 inches across. They may appear anywhere on the body, but they are most often seen on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks.
Doctors describe several types, and they look different from each other.
- Xanthelasma: soft yellow lumps on both eyelids.
- Tuberous xanthoma: firm, painless, red-yellow lumps on the elbows, knees, heels, and buttocks.
- Tendinous xanthoma: firm nodules on the Achilles tendon and the tendons on the back of the hands.
- Eruptive xanthoma: many red-yellow bumps on the limbs, buttocks, skin folds, and mouth.
Causes and who gets it
Xanthomas may be a sign of a condition that raises the fats in the blood. These conditions include:
- Certain cancers.
- Diabetes.
- High blood cholesterol levels.
- Inherited metabolic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia.
- Scarring of the liver from blocked bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis).
- Inflammation and swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Xanthelasma is a common type that appears on the eyelids. It usually happens without any other health problem behind it. Many xanthomas have no known cause. Some are linked with problems in how the body handles fat, with blood disorders, or, rarely, with genetic disorders.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will examine your skin. Usually, a diagnosis can be made by looking at the xanthoma. If needed, your provider will remove a sample of the growth for testing, which is called a skin biopsy. You may have blood tests to check fat levels and liver function, and to check for diabetes. Some doctors also order urine tests and x-rays to look for related problems.
Treatment
If a disease raises your blood fats, treating it may help reduce xanthomas. For high blood fats, healthy eating and regular exercise are important. A doctor may also prescribe a medicine that lowers blood fats, such as a statin, a fibrate, or ezetimibe. If a blood disorder is the cause, a hematologist (a blood doctor) needs to manage it.
If the growth bothers you, your provider may remove it by surgery or with a laser. Some xanthomas, especially xanthelasma, do not clear with other measures. Options then include a chemical peel, freezing, laser, or surgery. Xanthomas may come back after surgery.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if xanthomas develop. They may point to an underlying disorder that needs treatment. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain that lasts two minutes or more, severe belly pain, or trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Usually, a provider can make the diagnosis by looking at the xanthoma, and may order blood tests to check fat levels, liver function, and diabetes.
Common questions
Are xanthomas cancer?
No, xanthomas are noncancerous and painless. They can still be a sign of another medical condition, so they should be checked.
What is xanthelasma?
Xanthelasma is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids. It usually happens without any other health problem behind it.
Do xanthomas mean I have high cholesterol?
Not always, because xanthelasma on the eyelids usually happens without any other health problem behind it. Xanthomas can be a sign of high blood cholesterol or other conditions that raise blood fats, so blood tests may be done to check.
Can xanthomas come back after removal?
Yes, xanthomas may come back after surgery. They may also come back after skin treatments alone, so any underlying cause also needs to be managed.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
