As your skin has gotten older, have you noticed small, persistent bumps with a white edge? Curious what is that unwanted and annoying tiny thing on your face? You probably may have sebaceous hyperplasia, which is a problem with your skin. It’s hard to get rid of, but luckily it’s not impossible.
What is sebaceous glands hyperplasia?
Sebaceous gland hyperplasia basically means an overgrowth of the sebaceous glands. This shows up on the skin as small yellow or white bumps. When the skin is stretched and side lighting is used, it can be easier to see them.
Sebaceous gland hyperplasia is when the sebaceous glands around a hair follicle get bigger than they should be. The oily substance that these glands make is called sebum. When sebaceous glands get too big, they cause a shiny yellow bump to form around hair follicles.
Each sebaceous gland hyperplasia bump may look like it has a small hole in the middle. Most of the time, the hyperplasia comes from this hair follicle.
Sebaceous gland cells are yellow because they have a lot of fat in them.
What makes sebaceous glands grow bigger?
Long-term sun exposure is one of the things that led to this skin problem. Sunlight hurts the skin and the glands that make oil. So, it’s important to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more every day to protect your skin.
Is cancer a risk with sebaceous gland hyperplasia?
No, lesions caused by sebaceous gland hyperplasia are completely safe. When they get very big, they can sometimes look like some types of skin cancer, but an expert can usually tell the difference.
Who gets rid of sebaceous gland hyperplasia?
The removal of sebaceous gland hyperplasia is usually done by a Dermatologist, but it can also be done by other people who have been trained in skin surgery procedures.
How to Treat Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia is not a medical problem that needs to be treated urgently. Adults may want to get rid of the bumps because they look bad. You can also just leave them alone.
There are a few ways to treat the problem. What you get will depend on things like:
- How many humps you have
- Your age
- Your skin type
- How your skin responds to being in the sun
Isotretinoin is a pill that can be taken by mouth and can make sebaceous gland hyperplasia smaller. Sebaceous gland hyperplasia usually needs to be treated for 3 to 12 months, and even then, it may come back after the treatment is done.
Cauterization or electrodesiccation is an electric charge used to heat up a sharp needle. When put into a bump, it dries up very quickly. This cuts up the bump itself.
During a consultation for lipoma removal, the doctor will also be able to make sure that the growth is, in fact, a lipoma. Other skin spots, like lipomas, lymph nodes, and skin cancers, can look like cysts. Sometimes, your doctor may want you to get an ultrasound or do other tests.
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