BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEruptive xanthomatosisEruptive xanthoma; Eruptive xanthomata; Xanthoma - eruptive; Diabetes - xanthomaEruptive xanthomatosis is a skin condition that causes small yellow-red bumps to appear on the body. It can occur in people who have a very high blood triglyceride level. These people also frequently have diabetes. Causes Eruptive xanthomatosis is a rare skin condition caused by an excessively high triglyceride level in the blood. It can occur in people with poorly-controlled diabetes or in people who take some medicines, such as isotretinoin, estrogens, and cyclosporine, which can increase the triglyceride levels.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 Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of fats that naturally occur in your blood. High levels increase the risk for heart disease and other health problems.When diabetes is not well-controlled, the insufficient insulin level makes it harder for the body to break down fats in the blood. This increases the level of fats in the blood. The extra fat can collect under the skin to form small bumps which are xanthomas. Symptoms The skin bumps may vary in color from yellow, orange-yellow, red-yellow, to red. A small red halo may form around the bump. The bumps are:Pea-sized Waxy FirmWhile harmless by themselves, the bumps may be itchy and tender. They tend to appear on the:Buttocks Shoulders Arms Thighs LegsPrevious imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Exams and Tests Your health care provider will take your medical history and examine your skin. You may have the following blood tests:Blood test for cholesterol and triglycerides CholesterolCholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too muc...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood sugar test for diabetes Blood sugar testA blood sugar test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pancreatic function testPancreatic function testThe secretin stimulation test measures the ability of the pancreas to respond to a hormone called secretin. The small intestine produces secretin wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A skin biopsy may be done to help diagnose the condition.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 Treatment Treatment for eruptive xanthomatosis involves lowering:Blood triglyceride Blood sugar Stopping or decreasing the dose of culprit medicinesYour provider will ask you to make changes in your lifestyle and diet. This can help lower high blood fats.High blood fatsYour body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. In the US, blood cholesterol is most often measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you have diabetes, your provider will ask you to manage your blood sugar through diet, exercise, and medicines.Manage your blood sugarWhen you have diabetes, you should have good control of your blood sugar (glucose). If your blood sugar is not controlled, serious health problems c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If lifestyle changes do not work, your provider may ask you to take medicines to help lower blood fat levels, such as:Statins StatinsStatins are medicines that help lower the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Statins work by:Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterolRaising ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fibrates FibratesFibrates are medicines prescribed to help lower high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. Fibrates also may help rai...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lipid-lowering antioxidants Niacin NiacinNiacin is a B-vitamin. When taken as a prescription in larger doses, it can help lower cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Niacin helps:Raise...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bile acid resinsBile acid resinsBile acid sequestrants are medicines that help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. Too much cholesterol in your blood can stick to the walls of your a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The skin bumps go away by themselves after few weeks. They clear once the blood sugar and fat levels are under control. Possible Complications If not treated, high triglyceride levels can lead to pancreatitis.PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you:Have poor control of diabetes Notice yellowish-red bumps on your skin Prevention Control of blood fats and blood sugar can help prevent this condition. Follow your provider's treatment recommendations.Open ReferencesReferencesAhn CS, Yosipovitch G, Huang WW. Diabetes and the skin. In: Callen JP, Jorizzo JL, Zone JJ, Piette WW, Rosenbach MA, Vleugels RA, eds. Dermatological Signs of Systemic Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 24.Braunstein I. Cutaneous manifestations of lipid disorders. In: Callen JP, Jorizzo JL, Zone JJ, Piette WW, Rosenbach MA, Vleugels RA, eds. Dermatological Signs of Systemic Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 26.Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL. Yellow lesions. In: Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL, eds. Urgent Care Dermatology: Symptom-Based Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 33.Patterson JW. Cutaneous infiltrates - nonlymphoid. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.White LE, Horenstein MG, Shea CR. Xanthomas. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 256.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, 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-upillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 11/30/2022 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, 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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Eruptive xanthomatosisEruptive xanthoma; Eruptive xanthomata; Xanthoma - eruptive; Diabetes - xanthomaEruptive xanthomatosis is a skin condition that causes small yellow-red bumps to appear on the body. It can occur in people who have a very high blood triglyceride level. These people also frequently have diabetes. Causes Eruptive xanthomatosis is a rare skin condition caused by an excessively high triglyceride level in the blood. It can occur in people with poorly-controlled diabetes or in people who take some medicines, such as isotretinoin, estrogens, and cyclosporine, which can increase the triglyceride levels.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 Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of fats that naturally occur in your blood. High levels increase the risk for heart disease and other health problems.When diabetes is not well-controlled, the insufficient insulin level makes it harder for the body to break down fats in the blood. This increases the level of fats in the blood. The extra fat can collect under the skin to form small bumps which are xanthomas. Symptoms The skin bumps may vary in color from yellow, orange-yellow, red-yellow, to red. A small red halo may form around the bump. The bumps are:Pea-sized Waxy FirmWhile harmless by themselves, the bumps may be itchy and tender. They tend to appear on the:Buttocks Shoulders Arms Thighs LegsPrevious imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Exams and Tests Your health care provider will take your medical history and examine your skin. You may have the following blood tests:Blood test for cholesterol and triglycerides CholesterolCholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too muc...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood sugar test for diabetes Blood sugar testA blood sugar test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pancreatic function testPancreatic function testThe secretin stimulation test measures the ability of the pancreas to respond to a hormone called secretin. The small intestine produces secretin wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A skin biopsy may be done to help diagnose the condition.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 Treatment Treatment for eruptive xanthomatosis involves lowering:Blood triglyceride Blood sugar Stopping or decreasing the dose of culprit medicinesYour provider will ask you to make changes in your lifestyle and diet. This can help lower high blood fats.High blood fatsYour body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. In the US, blood cholesterol is most often measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you have diabetes, your provider will ask you to manage your blood sugar through diet, exercise, and medicines.Manage your blood sugarWhen you have diabetes, you should have good control of your blood sugar (glucose). If your blood sugar is not controlled, serious health problems c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If lifestyle changes do not work, your provider may ask you to take medicines to help lower blood fat levels, such as:Statins StatinsStatins are medicines that help lower the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Statins work by:Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterolRaising ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fibrates FibratesFibrates are medicines prescribed to help lower high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. Fibrates also may help rai...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lipid-lowering antioxidants Niacin NiacinNiacin is a B-vitamin. When taken as a prescription in larger doses, it can help lower cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Niacin helps:Raise...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bile acid resinsBile acid resinsBile acid sequestrants are medicines that help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. Too much cholesterol in your blood can stick to the walls of your a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The skin bumps go away by themselves after few weeks. They clear once the blood sugar and fat levels are under control. Possible Complications If not treated, high triglyceride levels can lead to pancreatitis.PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you:Have poor control of diabetes Notice yellowish-red bumps on your skin Prevention Control of blood fats and blood sugar can help prevent this condition. Follow your provider's treatment recommendations.Open ReferencesReferencesAhn CS, Yosipovitch G, Huang WW. Diabetes and the skin. In: Callen JP, Jorizzo JL, Zone JJ, Piette WW, Rosenbach MA, Vleugels RA, eds. Dermatological Signs of Systemic Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 24.Braunstein I. Cutaneous manifestations of lipid disorders. In: Callen JP, Jorizzo JL, Zone JJ, Piette WW, Rosenbach MA, Vleugels RA, eds. Dermatological Signs of Systemic Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 26.Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL. Yellow lesions. In: Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL, eds. Urgent Care Dermatology: Symptom-Based Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 33.Patterson JW. Cutaneous infiltrates - nonlymphoid. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.White LE, Horenstein MG, Shea CR. Xanthomas. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 256.