Motherhood has wreaked havoc on my looks.
I’m not talking about the weight gain, as unsightly as it is, or even the new grey hairs I sprout every time Aidan races ahead of me down the sidewalk.
What I’m referring to mainly is this skin condition I’ve got called xanthelasma. It is a collection of fat deposits under the skin that cause yellowish growths around the eyes. I don’t know why I was cursed with this thing—it’s often associated with high cholesterol and my tests were clean—but there you have it.
Years ago a small one (about as big as a freckle) appeared above my left eye. I had it removed by a plastic surgeon and it came back. I had it removed again and all seemed well with the world…until I got pregnant. That’s when the thing spread like a fire, so now I have a huge, yellow, wrinkled mass over each eye—like evil mini-wings or a second set of eyebrows—and a yellow smudge under my left eye that people often mistake for cover-up and whisper to me at parties that I should rub it in.
How I wish I could.
When Aidan was little and my affliction still new, I got online to see if there was anything I could do about it besides go under the knife again (even though my dermatologist promised me that was the only way). I found a chat room full of people with the same problem. I was happy to discover a community—and sad to read about their shame. One woman said she was convinced everyone she spoke to couldn’t stop staring at her eyes. Another said she was so self-conscious she started wearing a patch.
While I never resorted to an eye patch, I know how these women feel. I used to think people looked at me because I was pretty; now I’m convinced they’re wondering what that strange cauliflower is growing out of my eyelid.
While I was in the chat room, one woman said she did the Master Cleanse (the lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper one) and her xanthelasma started clearing up after 12 days. I have friends who have done this cleanse and always thought I could never survive it, but clearing up this mess on my face sans surgery? A doctor friend told me it wasn’t the craziest thing he’d ever heard; the Master Cleanse breaks down fat deposits in your body and xanthelasma is, after all, nothing but a big, pesky fat deposit. I knew I had to try.
The problem was I was breastfeeding (my acupuncturist said the xanthelasma might actually clear up naturally when I stopped, but he was unfortunately mistaken) and then I was pregnant, so I couldn’t do a detox. I tried acupuncture, colonics, taking a phospholipid called Phosphatidylcholine. I even saw a healer. Nothing worked. Although the healer said they would go away when I let go of my anger toward my mother!
When I was finally ready to cleanse, it was wintertime and friends told me I should wait till warmer climes, which made sense. During the New England winter, your body craves boeuf Bourgignon, hot chocolate and lentil soup, not lemonade.
And that brings us to now.
I have consumed nothing but lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water for 7 days. Plus Smooth Move tea to make me poop. And I’m here to tell you it sucks! I want to eat everything, especially everything Harlan and Aidan are eating. I want to eat oatmeal, bacon cheeseburgers, pancakes, ice cream and spaghetti Bolognese. I want to eat broccoli and black beans and apple sauce! Last night Aidan had mac ‘n’ cheese and Harlan roasted root vegetables and tilapia with lemon and capers.
I want to eat these things with every fiber of my being.
And yet there are benefits to my deprivation. For one, my energy is great. Surprisingly, I have more than usual. Also, and this is the best part, considering the other blow motherhood has struck to my beauty involves extra pounds and a puckered, fleshy belly that won’t quit…I’ve lost eight pounds! In seven days! And I’m supposedly doing this fast for another five! I’m having visions of being 120 pounds again, a weight I haven’t seen since my honeymoon. I’m thinking I might fit into my size 4’s currently filling bins in the basement. And who knows, maybe this fast, like centuries of fasts before it, will lead to some kind of clarity or transformation. Maybe I’ll be ready to write another book, maybe I’ll see God.
But the big question burning to be asked: What about the xanthelasma? Has it magically disappeared in a puff of smoke?
The answer is no, it hasn’t.
I’ve scrutinized it everyday and yesterday I thought it might have faded a bit. Today I thought the one over my left eye might have flattened out a little in one part. But I haven’t seen a dramatic change. And I might have been hallucinating.
If I do see real evidence that this is working, I will stick with it, do as many days as it takes. But if I reach Day 12 and there’s no sign of success? I imagine I’ll throw the towel in. Admit defeat. Call it quits.
Until then, it’s me and my lemonade.
And a whole lot of faith.
Every day I close my eyes and repeat the words, “I am naturally clearing up my xanthelasma and I feel beautiful.” And I pray that they they come true.
327 comments
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May 17, 2011 at 7:01 pm
miriam meyer
hang in there, honey. i admire your fortitude! and even if the fatty tissue doesn’t disappear, you’re not only still beautiful, you are enviably, THIN!
love
fat
momma
July 5, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Nat
Hi,
I also have developed a spot under each eye. This all seems to have started after I had my baby boy. I am constantly depressed as I keep thinking about it. I can very much relate to your story. Amidst trying to find a magic cure for this nasty condition, I have come accross the master cleanse. Just wondering if you can tell me what the end result was for you. Did it work? Thanks:)
July 5, 2011 at 4:39 pm
dreamama
It thinned out a but but didn’t ultimately work. I talked to a holistic dr who recommended a liver flush. Keep you posted.
July 7, 2011 at 1:53 am
Nat
Thank you for responding. I am going to a homeopath tomorrow who i suspect will tell me to do the same. Fingers crossed. Will also let you know if anything works. I would do anything to get rid of these hideous things.
July 7, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Andrea Meyer
Definitely keep me posted…I’ll try anything!
July 16, 2011 at 1:25 am
Nat
So I have been on the detox now for 5.5 days and nothing. The homeopath did say it will take 6 weeks for them to disappear. How are you going?
July 16, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Andrea Meyer
Mine never totally went away. After 12 days two of them had thinned out a bit, but there was very little visible change. What your doctor says doesn’t surprise me. I can imagine they would disappear in six weeks, but who can do the Master Cleanse for six weeks?! I talked to a naturopath also who suggested my liver is involved and wants me to do a liver cleanse. I’m going to try it. I will keep you posted…do the same? Thanks!
July 17, 2011 at 9:16 am
Nat
The homeopath did a live blood analysis and said that it was my liver that was causing all my health issues inc the spots. I am currently doing a liver detox for three weeks. I have to say that some of the other issues I had are starting to go away (!) so who knows. Lost a couple of extra kgs too:) I don’t think she wants me to do the detox for six weeks, but by then my liver should be working a lot better and should hopefully get rid of them (in theory anyway!)
July 20, 2011 at 12:37 am
Andrea Meyer
Oh wow, interesting that people have told both of us we have liver issues. A friend of a friend met me and told our mutual friend she thought something was wrong with my liver. Please let me know if this works for you. I need to find a day when I can do the liver cleanse, it’s just one day but summer’s so screwy I haven’t a day when I can eat nothing but epsom salt and olive oil! I really want to get rid of these things.
September 9, 2011 at 1:21 am
Nat
Anyone had any luck?
September 9, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Andrea Meyer
Not yet. How about you?
September 10, 2011 at 1:54 am
Nat
Nope. I have given up any hope of it going away. Laser is the only option. 😦
September 10, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Andrea Meyer
Oh Nat, I sure hope not! I plan to keep trying, keep truckin’ and I will let you know if anything works! I’m currently doing a fruit and veg cleanse, which I know won’t get rid of it but next week I’ll follow up with the liver cleanse again. if it has any effect at all I will continue to do them at regular intervals. I will keep you posted. My lesions are so huge I just can’t imagine going the surgery route…I must believe there are nutritional answers because there’s no way I can live with this crap for the rest of my life! 🙂
September 12, 2011 at 5:41 am
Nat
Andrea, have you read about applying garlic to the xanthelasma? Some people have said that it works but I am too scared to try it…?
September 16, 2011 at 1:16 am
Andrea Meyer
I haven’t heard of that. I will certainly try it if there’s any chance it works!
September 17, 2011 at 1:10 am
Nat
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/garlic5.html
Go down to “xanthelasma”
Please let me know how you go – I am very interested. The best of luck!
September 17, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Andrea Meyer
Whoa, thank you! This sounds amazing. I’d start right away if I didn’t have social plans tonight and tomorrow. I’m going to get some very fresh garlic and start Monday! I’ll keep you posted.
September 22, 2011 at 1:35 am
Nat
Ok, so I know I am being very impatient, but just wondering how the garlic treatment is working for you? Thanks
September 22, 2011 at 1:39 am
Andrea Meyer
Funny, I’m doing it for the second time tonight. Right now! I did it for 15 mins the other night and saw no change, so tonight I’m doing it for longer. It stings a bit, but I’m going to stick with it. I’ll let you know!
September 22, 2011 at 2:34 am
Nat
Thanks for posting back. I think that the stinging is a good sign and they do say that it takes a few goes. Fingers and toes crossed for you!
September 22, 2011 at 11:48 am
Andrea Meyer
I don’t know how it’s going to work. My lesions are so big. The one I’m working on is like an inch long and a quarter of an inch wide. I’m not sure how this is going to play out, how I would remove the gunk by myself. It seems very curious, but I’ll keep doing it and see what happens! There’s one above my eye is smaller and more raised. That one seems more likely but I’m worried about the garlic getting in my eye, so I’m working on the one under my eye first to see if it works before trying the ones closer to my eyes. Like you said, fingers crossed!
September 26, 2011 at 9:53 am
Nat
Any improvement?
September 26, 2011 at 11:30 am
Andrea Meyer
OMG Nat, I was going to email you this morning. I applied garlic for the third time Wed night and the next morning the whole area under my eye was swollen and red as if someone had slugged me! It remained like that for two days. It appeared to be some kind of allergic reaction to the garlic and I thought I’d continue to treat the area once the swelling went down. The skin there also was dry and some of it peeled off. I felt like the part of the xanthelasma closest to the swelling was actually a lot flatter and less yellow than before, but I might have been imagining it. Last night when I washed my face, another small bit of skin peeled off and there was a tiny dot of blood. I put neosporin on it and went to bed.
This morning I woke up and slowly made my way into the bathroom and it’s a horror story! I have a huge, dark red scab under my eye. It’s just the area healing but it makes me not want to leave the house for days. I don’t know what I’m going to do. My husband was like, “You can’t put garlic on there again for a while.” I guess that’s obvious, but am I crazy to say I’m tempted to try a couple more times? I mean, something’s going on even though at the moment it’s a total nightmare!
September 26, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Nat
Put vaseline or bio oil on it and I wouldn’t put anymore garlic on the area for now. Oh, I really hope it gets better and once healed, maybe even gets rid of the xanthelasma. Hang in there!
September 26, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Andrea Meyer
What’s bio oil? Who knew that garlic was so intense?! Thanks for checking in…I will continue to update you on my saga!
September 27, 2011 at 12:34 am
Nat
Will switch to FB messages I think
October 6, 2011 at 7:28 pm
niqbal
is the garlic thing working for u guys.. m 24 n i hate it. help me plz
October 6, 2011 at 8:32 pm
dreamama
Read the rest of the comments for my whole long, sad tale…at the moment, I still have the buggers, but I might try garlic again. It seemed to thin out the one I applied it to, but it burned a lot and made the area swell up like a tomato, then bleed and scab. Is it worth it? I’m willing to give it one more shot. What’s your story?
October 9, 2011 at 6:47 pm
niqbal
i have dis for like 6 months now. m 24 mother of an 18 month old. i want to desperately get rid of this. i hate it. all i see in the mirror are these horrid spots. its my brothers wedding end of this month. so i had to take c chance.i used garlic 3 times a day for 4 days now.and as of now my lesion is all raw and black. so now il have to wait for it to heal. wont apply garlic now.will just wait. if any success at all i shall let uknow
n hell i am a doctor. and i know laser is the only option so i had to opt for a natural remedy.i so hope it works.
let ne know if u cone across any such remedy at all
November 26, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Zaki De Luca
I tray castor oil and nothing happens
October 10, 2011 at 11:56 am
dreamama
In the past, I had mine surgically removed and doctors will tell you that’s the only way to get rid of it. If yours are still small, this might be an answer for you. Mine unfortunately have spread and surgically removing them would create massive scars, so I’ve been seeking other solutions. Please let me know about the garlic, since it sounds like you’re having better luck than I did. I’m dying to hear if it works! There’s also a woman from another chat room who used some kind of acid. I’m not on my computer now, but when I get home, I’ll post what she wrote. Good luck and please keep me posted on your progress. All the best to you. I know how horrible it feels to be marred in this way…may we all find a way to be free of this mess!
October 11, 2011 at 12:42 am
Nat
Yes, please keep us informed of your progress! I keep thinking there must a a miracle sure for these things but am yet to find it! I am currently taking more homeopathics but I don’t think this is doing much.
October 12, 2011 at 5:14 am
niqbal
its still there! how unfortunate…d scab fell off n i ran to the mirror.. 😦 but its still there.. i need sum serious help …. this is psyching me up… it luks a li”ll smaller but i cud be imagining!
i have started applying garlic again in a different way now.. il do it for 2 days n wait for the scab to fall off again..will keep u guys informed. in the meanwhile if any of you come across in any other way please let me know..
also il start with liver flush now
please pray that it works !
October 13, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Andrea Meyer
Please let me know what happens. If the next round works for you, I think I’ll try the garlic again. if not, we might be back to square 1. Ugh. Good luck!
October 13, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Andrea Meyer
Please send me your email address. I have some info from a chat room, but it’s too long to post here.
October 17, 2011 at 8:25 pm
zvonchica
Andrea, could you please send this info to me too, because I have this bugger for almost one year and can’t get rid of it no matter what I do. Thank you very much!
October 17, 2011 at 8:39 pm
dreamama
This link is for the forum where I originally read about xanthelasma and the master cleanse. There’s this other woman who used some kind of product to get rid of hers. She appears to have had good luck. If the garlic trick doesn’t work, I may try what she did.
http://curezone.com/forums/am.asp?i=432294
October 18, 2011 at 8:48 pm
zvonchica
dreamama, thank you very much. I saw this chemical peal method on CureZone forum couple of months ago and am not willing to use it. I still hope to find more natural ways of removing xanthelasma. As for garlic, just be careful to apply it only on the xanthelasma itself, avoiding surrounding area, because it’s very aggressive on skin. Good luck with anything you try! If I find something that works, I’ll let you know.
October 18, 2011 at 8:58 pm
zvonchica
I forgot to say that I tried to contact joanna couple of month before, but her email address which she used on the forum isn’t valid anymore. It would be interesting to hear from her if she got any good results, given the fact that she’s been raw foodist, had done liver and master cleanse too in several occassions…If her xanthelasma is left intact after all the efforts, than I suppose that there’s no natural cure for it.
Maybe raw food in combination with urinotherapy could produce favorable results. When I say urinotherapy, I mean clay for external use mixed with urin to make paste like consistency and keep it over the xanthelasma at least three times a day (preferably during all night long).
October 18, 2011 at 10:59 pm
dreamama
Hmm, why urine? I haven’t heard about that one. I guess from your response that the garlic hasn’t worked?
October 19, 2011 at 7:28 am
zvonchica
Garlic is very agressive to use it on skin, it will burn it and cause damage without any healing effect. As for urinotherapy, try to google on the subject. It’s an ancient approach to healing the body. I would recommend the books of Russian naturopath Genadij Petrovich Malahov for reading (the title is Urinotherapy), but I suppose it’s difficult to find English translations.
October 21, 2011 at 5:20 am
nihan
hi guys
m sure u have been wanting to hear from me…here goes..
i did tell u bout my first attempt, i did this for the second time … i used to cut a garlic clove into half n then crush it a bit n apply it to the xanth for 10 mins only, it burns a lot , a lot, as i said i just did it for 2 days as u know i have a wedding lined up end of this month , on the second day i noticed sum fat n i just wiped it off ..every time after using garlic my eye went red n used to swell up so i applied neosporin ointment ..i used this garlic for like 5 times a day ..then it all scabbed n got dirty ..i was almost sure it went but it dint , but m sure it will because the size has reduced considerably, its more flatter n the dimension is lesser so i m gonna apply it again for 4 days this time after my brothers wedding… and if it works i will let u know .. i know how creepy this thing is n i will be more than happy to help
u need to give 15 days for this , coz 4 days for the application ( but apply only if ur skin is not raw) den the scab wud take almost 5-6 days to fall n then another 5 days for the pink skin to be replaced by gud skin…
so good luckk guys, if u cum across any luck let me know…
tca sounds dangerous, i wudnt want to take such a risk ! try garlic …
hey dreamama my email address is gulrezahmad@gmail.com
November 7, 2011 at 11:27 pm
zvonchica
I was searching on the internet and came across at this ebook http://tinyurl.com/d4e5d3c
I don’t know if there is any remedy sugested other than those we are familiar with (surgeries and chemical peeling) but just want to share the info.
November 30, 2011 at 7:00 am
km
I am afraid that I am getting xanthelasma, which is what brought me to your website. I just wanted to say that I think you are beautiful! If I do indeed have xanthelasma, I hope I can pull it off as well as you do!
– Fellow mom
November 30, 2011 at 1:07 pm
dreamama
Thanks so much. I’m afraid I haven’t posted the most revealing pictures of the xanthelasma, but people I know and love do say it’s not as bad as I think. I hope this site is a good resource. We’ve created quite a community here, all sharing our resources. One mom sent me a facebook message about a new treatment. When I hear back about her success, I’ll be sure to post it here! Good luck to you, mom.
December 3, 2011 at 7:26 am
Joanne
I have xanthelasma and currently on Crestor tablets. They haven’t changed. I also have a cream for it that I apply at night and although I have been using it for a while now still no change. Will keep you updated.
January 16, 2012 at 9:27 pm
dreamama
Hi Joanne,
I’m sorry I just saw this post! Please let me know if you’re having any luck with the cream. I’m considering doing a liver cleanse and may have one of the xanthomas removed in a couple of weeks. Curious to see if there are any less invasive options out there!
Thanks. Good luck to you!
December 5, 2011 at 10:14 pm
km
Hi again, I’m new to all of this, so I apologize if you’ve already researched this and found it to be a dead end. Just in case not, I wanted to share an article on CO2 Laser treatments that sounded relatively promising: http://www.asclepion-laser.co.uk/clinic%20papers/multipulse/Study%20superpulse%20CO2%20Laser.pdf
I found the paper while trying to find out if there is a link between low HDL cholesterol levels and xanthelasma. I just had my cholesterol tested and while it is low, unfortunately my good cholesterol (HDL) is also low. Are your HDL levels normal?
January 16, 2012 at 9:24 pm
dreamama
Hi km,
Sorry it took me so long to reply. I just read this paper and it’s really interesting. I may have one of mine removed in a couple weeks by a doctor who wants to biopsy a possible squamous next to my eye. It will be easy to take it off, so I might go for it, but now I wonder if I should hold off and do this instead. I might fax the doctor this study. Have you inquire further about it?
May 4, 2012 at 6:59 pm
km
Hi dreamama, I see that you decided not to do the xanth surgery along with your biopsy, and instead chose to investigate the CO2 laser option. I hope that this ends up being a good decision for you! I’d hate to think that I made you miss a chance for free surgery. But I’m optimistic that the CO2 laser might be successful for you. Please keep us updated!
January 24, 2012 at 5:45 am
bg
I’ve had xanth since 35 years ago! One great-uncle had them. Then, I spotted in an old pic that great-gramma did too! She bore 8 children and lived into her 80s, so I found that encouraging in terms of life & survival w/o getting into all of these modern meds and surgeries.
Over the years, the people I’ve met who have these have one thing clearly in common: poor quality digestion. If that is not addressed, then it seems likely that they will keep reappearing. I have known some people who’ve successfully had them removed (cut), but theirs were smaller and not spreading so actively as mine. So there are different results for different people. I saw derm doc who blithely said, easy job, can get 90% of it, of course they’ll come back…..My reaction was, I’m spozed to let you near my eyes with a knife?
My tolerance for any kind of fat in diet has steadily decreased over time, esp after menopause. Xanth continue to grow, and have typically especially grown after I eat meals with too much (i.e. any) fat. Esp problematic were nuts and seeds. It’s a headache trying to eat out or be on the road.
So what DOES work? Keep a level head and positive attitude, don’t let this freak you out; then, do things to stimulate digestion like acupuncture, qigoing, tai chi, dandelion root, hawthorne, etc. Low-fat diet. Do cleansing if you can tolerate them (I cannot).
Garlic slices DO work for me, at least temporarily. I want to now try what one person recommends: lecithin and castor oil app. ANd homeopathics.
Wear glasses with dark-colored frames. Then, people will see those as focal point.Develop some pat answers, esp for kids (who’ll be honest, and ask what they are, and will be satisfied if you’re real with them). Tell them it’s a fancy zit or something. For grownups it can be a derm teaching moment.
Ultimately, be grateful if your health is otherwise good, things could be SO much worse. Just be yourself, and accept the imperfections, and let the world know that there’s all kinds of folk in it.
This is a great forum. Maybe medical people can learn from it too!
bg
January 26, 2012 at 7:43 pm
dreamama
Hi bg,
Thanks for chiming in! I can’t believe you’ve had xanthelasma for 35 years… Then again I probably got my first small one 10 years ago. I’ve got to say my digestion is pretty stellar. I used to get tummy aches sometimes, but they’ve been increasingly rare over the last few years, definitely since I’ve had these, and the only thing that has ever affected the size of my lesions at all was my first pregnancy, which made them spread like the plague. Otherwise, they’ve neither grown nor shrunk (although I do believe they thinned out a bit during the Master Cleanse).
I do have an update, though. Yesterday I was supposed to have one removed by a surgeon who was excising a small, possibly precancerous cell from the same area under my eye. My dermatologist hatched the plan to kill two birds with one stone (and not get charged for it!). I went in planning to go through with it, but I also brought the article about laser surgery that km referenced above. My surgeon read it and said, frankly, if she were me, she’d go for the laser surgery. She said it has similar results but won’t alter the landscape of my face at all, which excision might. (She said while she’s very good and scarring would be minimal, the skin under my eye might pull a bit and that might bother me.)
So I didn’t do it! She also said if there’s any chance I have another baby (she’s encouraging me to do so. See post I’m currently working on), I should wait to do anything because they may come back again during pregnancy. And she’s sending me to see the guy she calls tops for laser surgery.
So there you have it. Still have three of these beasts on my face and no answers whatsoever. Although the discussion remains lively!
January 30, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Baby Pressure Under the Knife « I Don’t Have Time to Write This!
[…] eruption was not unexpected. We’d been debating whether or not she should remove one of my xanthomas during the course of the excision she was doing. That was the plan hatched by my regular […]
February 1, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Downward Dog Days! « I Don’t Have Time to Write This!
[…] I’m also considering a 5-day liver cleanse, since a lot of people have suggested that my xanthelasma has something to do with my liver. This seems like the right month to do it. (I may also do the […]
February 2, 2012 at 4:43 pm
lorelei
Hi there, I just had the co2 laser yesterday. I had xan from age 23, not too noticeable, then after pregnancy they got pretty big. I’m 36. I don’t have my before and after pictures. After 1 day its good and bad to report so far. Its a very easy surgery. In and out in under an hour, and except for having to apply some polysporin, the recovery is nothing, which is an important thing with a 1 and 2 year old running around the house. Already I look better. Except for some redness right on the spot where the xan is/was – there is no redness, bruising or anything. Since the xan looks gross anyway, I am not any more afraid to be in public than I already was. One little tiny bruise from needle injection of freezing and thats it, some swelling this morning already cleared up. Immediately I see improvement. Most of the xan is GONE. The protruding (raised) parts have literally disintegrated (it was probably the burning smell during the surgery…I had to try really hard not to think about that one). The coloration I do not think will all be gone. It was hard to get information from the surgeon. He is expert and old, but takes questions almost as an insult, so I am left trying to get answers from the nurse. From what I gather it is because they can not go beyond the xan without causing scarring disfiguration of the eyelid, pulling etc. So – as a measure of protection a tiny bit of the xan has to be left, with it fully exposed right now, the coloration is still pretty dark, but as skin grows over, I think it will be pretty light. If you go for surgery I would encourage you to ask these questions. I can hardly wait. Now that its much better. I WANT PERFECTION!!! I have tried to google before/during/after pictures of what to expect and came across your forum. I have to say when I saw your picture I thought “she’s such a beautiful lady to begin with, what in the world is she complaining about”. Remembering my own torment on how I felt when these xan got so big, I completely empathize with you (despite being far less attractive that you). I would like to know about your results if you go for it. In summary for me. Am I glad I got it – yes! I hope it looks even better when healed. The surgeon also told me in conversation that it is much easier to hide blemeshies that are not raised. Ie: divets and flat marks are can be hidden with coverup, xan and other raised blemishes are not. So maybe with a little coverup there will be nothing. I can only hope! I have researched this for years and this is def. the best solution. I really wish they could come up with the reason and solution for them, to prevent them, but in the last 15 years, it still seems to be a “just because” answer. Good luck!!!!
February 2, 2012 at 6:38 pm
dreamama
Thank you so much for this! I don’t know if you’ve read my latest post about my almost-excision, where the surgeon recommended I go with the laser surgery. I’m waiting to get an appointment with the doctor she recommended, who is supposedly “the best.” I think this is going to be the way to go, unless I can still find some relief through natural, nutritional cures. I imagine I’ll keep trying up until the day of my surgery. Question: Was any of this covered by insurance? This surgeon told me it depends on the surgeon and how they present it to the insurance company, but my regular doctor said it probably wouldn’t be covered. Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations! I do dream of the day that I’m xanthelasma-free and it sounds like that day has come for you!
February 2, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Lorelei
No, not covered by our health care system (I don’t have insurance, but have been told it would not be covered) 😦 — It cost me total of $400 Canadian. I have one on each upper eyelid.
February 2, 2012 at 7:25 pm
dreamama
Wow, that’s a good deal. Something tells me it would cost a lot more on American soil! When I had my teeny one excised years ago, it cost $695, all of which was eventually reimbursed, but my derm told me they are less likely to cover such a procedure these days.
February 29, 2012 at 4:22 am
Lorelei
So glad to hear the garlic worked Robert! I also just wanted to update my laser treatment. My xan were flat to my skin and really deep and dark yellow/white. I’m thrilled because the the xan are GONE. No scarring no nothing. No joke it worked likenan eraser! I wish I would have done this earlier!! I did not try garlic because I was told the upper lids are less forgiving for deep xan because of scarring etc and could cause pulling and tugging of the upper lid downwards . Anyway I just hope these things do not come back!! I continue to research about the cause and have stumbled across a theory of triglyceride levels being out of whack. There has got to be a preventative solution! (I’ve never had high cholesterol). Good luck to all 🙂
February 29, 2012 at 1:53 pm
dreamama
Congratulations! Glad so many of you are having success getting rid of these beasts.
February 29, 2012 at 2:08 am
robert Crosthwaite
Hi Guys.
I thought i would share my experiences with everyone. I am male, aged 56 and have had xanthelasma above and below both eyes for the last 5 years.
The ones below are by far the worst, about an inch long and half an inch wide, they are the cauliflower type, and look awful. I decided to try the garlic method, as it did seem to work for some people.
I started of by with 1 10 minute session every day, it stings a bit. After two days, nothing much was happening. So on day three, I thought what the hell, and applied the garlic 3 times a day for 15 minutes each time, I did the same again the next day.. I woke up on day 5 with a lot of swelling and raw bits and the xanthelasma was burnt black on both eyes. I took this as a good sign lol. By day 6 the whole area was completely scabbed over with two huge black scabs, when I say huge, I mean huge.
Now it was just a case of waiting for the scabs to fall off, but of course I got impatient, so I picked away at one of them, just to see what was underneath. Underneath was absolutely clear pink skin, I couldnt believe it. Over the next few days the scab starting comming off, sometimes with abit of help lol. Eventually all the scabs were off, but other scabs were forming underneath, so at this point I couldnt be 100% sure, whether I was seen scab tissue, or parts of the xanthelasma left behind.
A week later I can report the following. The xanthelasma has been completely removed from both eyes. The swelling has also completely settled down. The treated area is quite pink, As you would expect with new skin, but I would expect it to blend in in the next fews weeks, at which point I will hopefully have a 100% success story.
I need to make some points here. My xanthelasmas were very big, but they were also very close to the surface of the skin, I think this can make a big difference to how successful the outcome will be. The xanthelasmas on my upper lids are much smaller, but also much deeper, and treatment here may not be as successful, but of course Im going to try. For me the upper ones were never really a problem anyway. Im also offering words of caution here. Im a guy, with tough guy skin lol. I went way over the top, with the amount of treatments that I used, most people only apply twice a day, not 5 times a day like I did. .If you follow my example, you do risk some burns. For me it was a risk I was prepared to take, as I was determined to get rid of these buggers in one go.
Of course they may come back, but at the first sign, I will hit them with the garlic again, whilst they still small, which will be much easier. I will report on how the upper lids are going in a few days time, when I get round to fighting them. But if anyone has any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them.
I almost forgot to mention, I also had quite large eye bags, upon which the .
xanthelasmas used to sit. these too are almost completely gone, which is an extra bonus. Ok guys thats it, a bit long winded, but I just wanted to share with fellow sufferers.
February 29, 2012 at 2:56 am
dreamama
Wow, Robert, what an adventure you’ve been on! Please keep me posted on how that area of your face heals. I am extremely tempted to follow in your footsteps and get more aggressive with the garlic. I would really love to find a non-surgical solution! But the garlic did burn and I did scab and my lesions did not disappear. But in your case, it worked. So please let me know about your progress. I think there are a few people here who would be very interested. Thanks so much!
November 27, 2017 at 12:07 am
Zaki De Luca
Robert I love your story I will do
January 27, 2021 at 12:23 pm
Bronwyn
Good day Robert
Thank you for sharing your success. I’ve tried it before on upper eye lids and did have minimal improvement.
January 28, 2021 at 4:00 am
Ann
Hi! I’m so sorry to bother you again.
I noticed the verruca pen did not have Trichloroacetic acid. Do you think that will make a difference? I know you spoke highly of it.
January 28, 2021 at 4:18 am
dreamama
Oh god, I’m not sure! I bought it because it was recommended and didn’t even pay attention to the ingredients. I’d buy a product with the same active ingredients if I were you. Good luck!
March 1, 2012 at 5:58 am
robert Crosthwaite
Hi everyone, and hi Dreamama. Looked at you picture, you are very pretty. Your xanthelasmas are about 25% smaller than the ones I had, so dont give up hope on getting rid of them. I would never have surgery, these things tend to come back, and there is only so many times you can have them cut out, before you run out of skin to work with, plus surgery will leave scars.
To me the best option, apart from Garlic, would be laser, the results seem excellent, with little or no scaring, and it can be repeated as often as necessary. The recovery times seems good too, probably much quicker than burning them off.
So how am I doing? The xanthelasmas have definately all gone, clean as a whistle. What we have left behind is very smooth, very pink skin, which is a completely different color to everything else. The area is no longer sore. I have no idea how long it will take before the new skin blends in with everything else. I could of course use some sort of make up to cover up, but to be honest, Im not that bothered.
At the moment Im using vaseline to help with the healing, and just good old fasioned soap and warm water the rest of the time
I have started working on the upper ones, this is going to be more difficult, they are very close to the eye, and deeper than the bottom ones. After two treatments, there isnt much change. They are more redish now as opposed to white, which I suppose is a bit less noticeable. But the main battle is yet to come lol.
I will report back when it gets more interesting, probably in a couple of days time.
Something I would be interested in hearing. From those who got rid of them, and then they came back. How long before they came back, and did they just come back all at once, or did they start in the corner and spread across, like a rain drop on a window, that trickles down. Hope that makes sence lol.
By the way, Im on facebook. Robert Crosthwaite, home town Wednesbury, in the UK. I think there is only one of me, But my profile picture shows me wearing sunglasses if in doubt. Would be pleased to link up with any of you nice people.
Back in a couple of days
Rob
.
March 1, 2012 at 2:31 pm
dreamama
Thank you, Rob. I always have cover up on when photographed so my xanth is actually uglier than it might appear in my blog. And in pictures, I, too, generally wear sunglasses!
April 24, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Tim
Hi Robert; just curious with the applications; did you use a bandage or something to hold the garlic on, or did you just set it on there whilst lying down?
March 1, 2012 at 6:03 am
robert Crosthwaite
Here is the link
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002587129194
I use my middle name Nigel
March 10, 2012 at 1:49 am
robert Crosthwaite
Just to update.
The lower lids are healing well, with no trace of the xanth on either eye.
I started on the upper lids a few days ago, It is for some reason more painfull, so Im doing one eye first and the other later. It looks promising so far, but we are still at the crusty scab stage lol. Where bits of the scab are missing, there appears to be clean pink, xanth free skin underneath.
Strangley I have only treated this eye twice for 15 minutes each, so the skin must be more sensitive.
Thats all for now folks.
Rob
March 14, 2012 at 12:41 am
Andrea Meyer
Good luck! And keep us posted.
March 13, 2012 at 3:58 am
bg
Anyone game for starting an online forum? We could have sections for information, idea exchange, encouragement, research, collateral issues such as digestion, cholesterol, gall bladder, pregnancy, cover-up, etc.
Could have an info and research section that is public, and could have other sections that are private to members who sign in.
bg
March 13, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Andrea Meyer
Isn’t that what we’re doing here? Lots of people seem to find us.
March 13, 2012 at 6:42 pm
bg
Yes, but this is someone’s personal blog, for one thing.
A regular forum would be set up to handle the traffic and could be managed by volunteers, and have categories, public and private areas, messages, organization, etc. In other words, software that is set up to do the task. Could maybe also attract attention of researchers who’d help us solve some problems?
bg
March 23, 2012 at 2:12 pm
robert Crosthwaite
Just an update. lower lids have recovered well, still a slightly different color from the surrounding skin, but pretty good now, and such an improvement. The upper lids were a failure Im afraid, I only did the one, and only two treatments, the xanth is still there, but It is flatter and not so white, as it was before. I think I need to be more agressive with it, which I will do this weekend. Hope you guys are all ok
Rob
March 23, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Andrea Meyer
So pleased to hear the lower lid has healed well. I’m tempted to follow suit. Keep us posted about the upper lids!
All the best,
Andrea
March 23, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Joanne
I so want to try the Garlic but so very affraid.
April 10, 2012 at 9:33 am
peggy
thank you so much all of you for writing in. my xans seem to be spreading, very depressing! surely these buggers should reabsorb? what luck from the raw vegan /liver clense anybody?
April 10, 2012 at 11:09 am
dreamama
I recently did a five day liver cleanse through Dr. Schultz in California. It was hard-core. I was hoping it would have an effect on the xanth, but alas it did not.
April 10, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Lorelei
I’m wondering how many of you have slow digestion? Except having a slower digestion, i have never had any other digestion issues. I have done all the cleanses and diets and I can fairly confidently say I don’t think any will work to rid of existing xan, but may prevent further xan. I’ve always had slow digestion (my body takes nearly 24 hours longer to expell than the rest of my family) and had one homeopath tell me my body would then absorb more of everything. So, even though I dont eat a lot of fatty foods, what fat I do eat is highly absorbed. … Who knows. Also after learning that the xan is coleased fat cells, I thought maybe if I massaged the area daily I could prevent the coleasing. It’s hard to do on a small area but I would basically pinch the area between my two fingers and massage as hard as I could without bruising. It did seem to work, when I had them coming in, if I massaged, the coloration would stay light, though I don’t think it had effect on size. Continued good luck all!
April 23, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Carol
Hi. I am on day 2 of the garlic treatment. I have 3 to get rid of . Last year I tried the needle treatment I had read about. A little scary to do around the eye. Fat deposit did come out with some massaging of the area after it was pierced but the xanth came back. Mine appeared after I went on a high fat low carb diet – not a good idea for me. I also wondering if having my gall bladder removed did it for me. I have xath’s in the same spots as the blogger’s picture. I will take photo’s starting today to see how it is going. Right now there is a bit of scab and the garlic burns a bit when doing the treatment. I am doing it 2x a day for 15 minutes. I hope I have success like Robert and others I read about online. I have had so many people whisper that my makeup is smeared, or bluntly ask what is by my eyes or just stare at it – I find it very embarrassing and would like to at least diminish them enough that makeup will cover. I am also going to reduce the fat in my diet and excercise more hoping that they don’t come back (that is if the garlic treatment works).
April 23, 2012 at 4:41 pm
dreamama
Please let me know how it goes. I’m very tempted to try the garlic again at least on the one under my eye. Good luck!
April 29, 2012 at 11:03 pm
peggy
hi you guys..just read that a rare genetic disorder called phytosterolemia causes a person to absorb large amounts of plant sterols(vegetable fats) from regular vegetables!! come on! have been eating more nearly raw vegetables and alot of nuts and peanut butter and found xan on right eye increasing! even tho going to skim milk and no butter, very little oil or meat. so, guess i’ll try to cut back on those too. tho what i’m supposed to eat is getting frustrating. thinking about a liver clense, but what if some get stuck??!! i have had 11 children,fed them all and will say a high protein diet helped then, but obviously don’t need it now. i used to take brewers yeast cod liver oil, lecithin, vit e ,c, kelp. now i don’t know which way to go, except to cut way back on fats, saturated and otherwise. surely fruit veg and grains and a little fish and chicken ok? i’m getting resigned! just turned 54, had these for 5 years at least. hope someone finds the cures!
May 2, 2012 at 12:54 am
dreamama
Wow! I hate to tell you this, but I don’t think there’s any dietary/nutritional way to get rid of these things. I’ve consulted with three different holistic doctors who had no idea. And you know I’ve tried all those liver cleanses, which were equally ineffective. I suspect that if you went on an entirely raw food diet for the rest of your life, that would clear them up, but personally I’m not willing. According to all the folks who have checked into this blog, it’s the knife, the laser or garlic. That said, if any of these attempts do work for you…please let me know! I’m as desparate as you are to get rid of them.
May 3, 2012 at 1:06 am
Lorelei
I’m grasping at anything to keep these from coming back (had them lasered). My new theory is to ramp up the antioxidants and have a very moderate amount of fat in my diet. I have also found a paper from a science journal online “Can kojic acid prevent xanthelasma formation”. I’ve emailed the author for full text but have not heard back yet. I might have to foot the $ to buy it. Interestingly enough my xan got huge both times I went caffeine free (pregnancies and one long term diet) which is high in antioxidants. That’s probably a stretch. I am both grasping but determined!
May 3, 2012 at 1:28 am
dreamama
I’m fascinated and about to start googling frantically. Please keep me posted! Although I’m not sure I’m ready to give up ice cream and cheese…Thanks so much
!
May 3, 2012 at 10:59 am
peggy
hey there i have been on decaf tea and coffe and xanths increasing, read yesterday that decaf makes chloresterol levels soar!! i’ll just stick to whiskey…
May 2, 2012 at 10:57 am
peggy
i think i have been in denial! and that you are right. i live in the uk, so could probable get some “knife”! but was thinking, well first i’ll loose weight, then do this clense(gross) and then get them removed or they’ll come back! well they are spreading . i haven’t plucked up the courage for the garlic, as mine on top. alot of lecithin seems to make it look less pillowy. i will follow this closely,keep tapping everyone and good results!
May 4, 2012 at 7:29 pm
km
I see a lot of people are trying to get of xanthelasma with a natural cure, and are trying to investigate potential causes like diet, digestion, etc. I have a few personal experiences to add to that discussion (or to add to the confusion!). By way of background, I just have one small xanthelasma on my eyelid (I’m very lucky…knock on wood) and I just noticed it about 6 months ago.
– Cholesterol – as I mentioned before, I have low LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, but I also have low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
– Digestion – my digestion was really messed up right around the same time that my xanth spot appeared. (Digestion improved when I started taking fish oil and probiotics regularly.)
– Pregnancy – mine showed up when my first baby was about 1 year old (I read that pregnancy lowers your HDL “good” cholesterol)
– Low fat diet – I had been strictly limiting “bad” saturated fat for 2.5 years (for other health reasons) when xanth appeared. I tried to eat a lot of “good” unsaturated fat during this time (fish oil, omega 3 foods, etc.), but my overall fat intake may have been too low (if there is such a thing?)
– Vitamin D – I just found out my vitamin D levels are suuuuper low (9 ng/mL). Does anyone else have Vitamin D deficiency?
– Cholesterol/Vitamin D – I believe my dad has xanthelasma too (his are much bigger than mine and on both eyelids, but he doesn’t seem to be concerned about them). When I asked him about it, he said that they had been decreasing in size ever since he started taking statins (for cholesterol) and started exercising more. This alone is a logical explanation, but since my cholesterol levels are normal, it doesn’t really help me. I thought it was interesting that this was also around the time that he discovered his own extreme Vitamin D deficiency and started on Vit D supplements. But maybe that was just a coincidence.
Most of these things–or maybe even all of them!–are probably not related to the xanthelasma. Just thought I’d share on the off-chance that someone would notice a trend among us.
May 4, 2012 at 7:40 pm
km
I forgot to mention that i was pretty strictly decaf during pregnancy and breastfeeding period. Lorelei and Peggy – interesting ideas about antioxidants and caffeine!
December 5, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Sillira
Hi km
I do think that possibly cholesterol levels good and bad have a correlation with vitamin D levels because I too have low levels of vitamin D and was recommended to take it as well as a statin drug for cholesterol. My xanths, too, showed up after pregnancy. Because I’m on meds I get my liver and kidneys checked regularly and there seems to be no problem there. (thank God)
I have to admit that it might possibly be the statin drugs that are keeping the xanths from getting bigger because my diet has a lot to be desired. I’ve only made minimal changes. Cut out butter and whole milk and now use light mayo, cream cheese, soups, etc in cooking.
May 4, 2012 at 8:16 pm
km
Just realized that Vitamin D is an antioxidant (thank you Google).
May 19, 2012 at 8:10 am
Majood
Hmmmmm the low vitamins D could be contributing to it in some people. I have low vitamine D and I believe it contributed to many other health issues such as preeclampsia during pregnancy. I won’t be surprised if that contributes to causing the xanthalasma.
May 28, 2012 at 3:10 pm
peggy
hi you guys! i have been reading online about the liver cleanse as told by andreas moritz, and it seems to make sense.. liver gets loaded and chloresterol still produced, bile ducks blocked and can’t get rid that way . i think he said it took several cleanses… 12 to 20 until no more stones were passed? my chloresterol levels are not down a jot after 3 months on low fat diet. highish bad, very low good. oh blow, sick of trying!! my right eye is getting one and i can see moon shapes umder both eyes! have been in the sun with good weather, and they seem tighter. maybe very low on vit d ? i am using a zinc and caster oil barrier cream and do not seem to be burning. mr. moritz was saying sun creams aren’t good and sun (without burning) can heal. also been reading that too much starch turns to sugar and is stored as fat. and there was a you tube clip of a poor woman who did the juice fast for 30 days and then, felling deprived,put back all the weight she’d lost plus some. so maybe all raw/ juiceing might work, after a liver cleanse,but for many it would send into a binge and be worse after. we are all trying so hard.. and are so ashamed and embarassed ! well we shouldn’t be!! every one of us wants them gone and doing what we can. thank you all for writing in, it helps me alot! shame the liver cleanse doen’t seem to do it for everybody. i am forgetting about the decaf and very low fat as didn’t make much difference. o yeah, there is a “cure” on you tube, 2 tsp bicarb soda, one tsp molasses, as a cancer cure. if these are a fatty “tumour” maybe this would help? mind you the salt factor…good food sunshine exercize,can’t do more than that, surely. good results!!
May 30, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Pablo
My goodness , this IS such a curse!! i have had it now for almost 2 years and although i initially shrugged it off , it has worn me down to the point where i just avoid people (difficult as it is, when you live in a youth hostel) and nights out altogether. Just wanted to sympathize and connect with the community. I am however, more determined than ever to kick this into touch. Now uni is finished for the year i am gonna give this garlic remedy a try (on a small part and go from there)!!this is a great blog and enjoyed reading the replies . lots of good stuff!!
The lack of information on this nebulous condition known as xanathelasma is troubling.
My game plan ( based on my reading on the internet ) is to
1) avoid bad fats, red meat (damn it!), sausages and fried foods. Also to be avoided are refined foods such as sugar, flour, pasta , junk food.
2) I’ll introduce fish oil tablets into my diet as it is said to reduce lipid production, very important as a preventive measure of it reoccurring once it has gone. no guarantees with this condition. Vitamin D sounds good too! An antioxidant! thanks KM
3) I will eat of grilled chicken (no skin of course), lean beef burgers, broths(chicken + veg) , brown rice, veg general and salads. Apple cider vinegar is good for metabolizing excess fat in the body too!.
4)Exercise – generally recommended to get your heart pumping for at least 30 mins a day.
I know i have reiterated bits of what others have said before me, this is a great blog and enjoyed reading the replies . lots of good stuff!! Good Luck everyone! and just wanted to reserve special praise for Robert and his explicitly detailed assault on these wretched growths (for lack of a better word), Operation xanathelasma freedom is go,go,go!!
June 17, 2012 at 11:29 pm
bg
My Vitamin D has been extremely low, around 5-7. I was lucky and found a “dry” version (not oil-based) as Vit D in Olive Oil made X grow.
Has anyone tried homeopathics?
bg
August 5, 2012 at 6:02 am
Nat
Yes, I have tried homeopathy and it after a lot of money spent, absolutely no result.
August 5, 2012 at 3:09 pm
dreamama
Thanks so much for that info, as frustrating as it is. How long did you do homeopathy? I was planning to make an appt with a homeopath, guess you don’t think it’s worth looking into? It actually makes me so sad, like surgery is really the only option.
August 11, 2012 at 2:47 pm
dreamama
Has anyone ever tried to cut dairy from your diet? A friend of mine had two small xanthelasma appear over the last year. For the past two weeks she cut dairy and said they shrunk by about a third. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience. Please let me know!
Also, Robert, how are you doing? Now that it’s been awhile since you tried the garlic, are your lesions still gone?
August 11, 2012 at 3:55 pm
mc
Hi Everyone, It is a relief to have found this forum. Thank you for starting this dialogue dreamama! I got diagnosed with xanthoma last week. I have four or five small raised bumps on the bridge of my nose and one flat moon over the left corner of my eye. Although I can live with the way they look now, I’m terrified of them growing larger and more numerous. I’m wondering if it’s better to have them removed now while they’re small. I may try the garlic on them, but I’m afraid that messing with them might make them worse. Has anyone had any experience with them getting worse after applying the garlic. Also, does stress affect their growth? This is all so depressing. I’ve been dealing with leukemia for years. I finally have the cancer in remission, andt now this! Has anyone heard of using a topical mixture of lipase and fresh aloe gel on the xanthoma. I read about that in one abstract. Also, are there doctors that specialize in xanthoma and can we (Americans) get treated in Canada for the same cost as a Canadian? I’m just a few hours away the Canadian border.
August 11, 2012 at 4:15 pm
dreamama
I’d love to hear more about the lipase/aloe remedy you mention. Where did you read it? I’m so sorry for all you’ve gone through. Hopefully together we will be able to find a remedy to the blight of xanthelasma!
August 11, 2012 at 4:26 pm
mc
By the way, I started having some digestion issues 9 years ago, and I was diagnosed with IBS shortly after. In the past 4 years (after my cancer diagnosis), I went on a macrobiotic diet: only fresh whole grains, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, no refined sugars, no processed foods, no refined flour products, very little natural sugars, lots of vegetables, home cooked legumes, and fish once or twice a week. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol. So, I don’t think there’s anything more I could do with diet. I’m going to have a full lipid panel done next week, so I’ll see if I have high cholesteral (hard to believe with my diet) and/or high triglycerides, etc.
August 11, 2012 at 4:29 pm
dreamama
That is frustrating! I experienced a bubble of hope when my friend said she had luck eliminating dairy. Maybe there’s a different formula for everyone. I also contacted a nutritionist I know to see if she might want to guide me in modifying my diet to see if that might help, but I haven’t heard back from her. As I’ve mentioned, I also had my lipids tested and everything was normal.
August 11, 2012 at 4:36 pm
mc
One more question: I have heard some of you mention your xanthoma spot being close to the skin or deep beneath the skin. How can you tell? Thanks for the help.
August 11, 2012 at 4:45 pm
mc
dreamama-I’m sure it is different for everybody, so it’s always worth trying to give up dairy. I’ve read so many things in the past week, I’m not sure I can find the original source for the lipase/aloe mixture, but I’ll try. If I can find it, I’ll send you the link.
August 11, 2012 at 4:46 pm
mc
Okay, I jsut found the link. Let me know what you think.
http://www.health-science-spirit.com/lipase.html
August 11, 2012 at 5:07 pm
dreamama
Thank you! I also don’t know how to determine how deep a xanthoma is.
August 11, 2012 at 5:11 pm
dreamama
I’m reprinting the relevant part of the article mc referenced. It is very interesting! Only the first graph refers to xanthoma, but I included some other uses for lipase, as they are fascinating!
External Use of Lipase
To remove fatty lumps (lipoma), or yellow-brownish skin marks (xanthomas), or to rejuvenate aging or damaged skin, mix a suitable amount of lipase with a carrier agent, such as unheated honey, MSM in water or fresh aloe vera gel. It may also help to add a small amount of lecithin and fish oil (possibly odorless). Apply this to the problem area and cover to leave overnight or for several days. Repeat from time to time if and as required. You may also try it on external tumors, skin cancer, moles and boils, but in this case also add a capsule of halibut liver oil. I would use this method for skin cancer on a sensitive area such as the lips in preference to any harsher measures. Also applying the south pole of a magnet to lipomas, moles or skin cancer may help, while xanthomas may respond to rubbing on lemon juice or vitamin C.
To regenerate aging skin, you may rub on a mixture of lipase with aloe vera gel, deodorized fish oil and vitamin E oil, or add some lipase to your favorite natural skin lotion just before you rub it on. Alternatively, you may rub the skin with a lipase-rich nutrient, such as unpasteurized cream, or mix some raw egg yolk or avocado with your skin lotion. Unheated coconut milk is highly germicidal, and especially good for areas affected by Candida and other fungi.
To lose weight from specific parts of the body, such as thighs, buttocks or stomach regularly rub on lipase dissolved in an agent that easily penetrates the skin such as aloe vera gel, vanishing cream or, possibly most effective, DMSO. In addition frequently stimulate this area by rhythmic tensing and relaxing the involved muscles, by massaging the area and using alternating hot and cold showers on it.
August 11, 2012 at 6:37 pm
mc
When I read the article, I wasn’t clear how/where to buy the lipase (powder? oil?). Any thoughts? Let me know if you try this.
August 11, 2012 at 6:47 pm
dreamama
A quick google search told me you can get it at Amazon, herbalremedies.com, etc. However, I’m not sure exactly which form works best. I’ll do a little more research, but I think once we determine which form we want, we’ll be able to find it easily. I might also try Whole Foods or another health food store.
August 11, 2012 at 8:34 pm
mc
Yes, I was going to check out whole foods the next time I go grocery shopping. I’ll ask them for their opinion as well. Keep me posted if you find anything out, and I’ll do the same. BTW-have you ever tried to start a support group in your area for people with xanthoma. I wonder how many of us there are out there. They say it’s common, but I never see anyone with this ailment.
August 13, 2012 at 8:23 pm
mc
I went to whole foods today, but they didn’t have lipase in a topical form. They’re going to research it further and get back to me.
August 13, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Andrea Meyer
Gotta love Whole Foods! I definitely found it online if they come up empty handed. Good luck and keep me posted!
August 14, 2012 at 1:08 am
Lorelei
There are high quantities of lipase in avocado. I found it interesting that lipase is found in high quantities in unpasterized, raw dairy products, especially cream. Maybe that’s our problem since selling unpasterized dairy is near taboo in Nortn America. What’s interesting is after reading about symptoms of low lipase levels, I’ve had much (not all) of them. 2 that stand out are muscle cramping and vertigo, had a bad bout of vertigo for 3 months, and no reason was ever discovered (not inner ear related etc). I still hold out hope on this mystery! Still super happy I got mine co2 lasered off, but there must be a difinitive underlying cause.
August 14, 2012 at 8:22 pm
mc
Does anyone have the yellow patches and the nodules. I seem to have both, and I quite concerned that both will continue to grow. I have one tan patch (at this point small) above my eye, and three little nodules on the bridge of my nose. I’m curious what the path of this skin condition has been for others. My spots are about 6 months old. Will they continue to grow. Do they ever stop growing? I would love to hear other peoples experiences.
August 15, 2012 at 4:50 pm
dreamama
I originally had one very small spot (searching for a reference…half the size of a ladybug?!) over my left eye. I had it removed twice and both times it returned. When I was pregnant with my son, that one grew probably five times bigger and I developed another, similar one (also yellowish and a bit puffy) over my right eye, as well as another, which is flatter, but almost an inch wide under my left eye. They have not really gotten worse. They’ve stayed about the same size for the past four years.
August 15, 2012 at 7:51 pm
mc
Dreamama-how long was it between the time you got your first spot and your pregnancy when the spots grew. Also, how long before the spots returned after having them removed? Thanks
August 16, 2012 at 3:41 pm
dreamama
I can’t remember exactly, but I think it started to come back about a year after surgery. I remember a friend saying she thought it was coming back a year or two after the last time I had it removed. She said she thought the color in the area was changing, but I hoped she was wrong and didn’t notice it for sure until I became pregnant. I think I got the first spot about five years before I got pregnant. It definitely was not related to pregnancy in the beginning. As my holistic doctor put it, the lesions just “flourished” during pregnancy. Thank you, mc, for doing so much research. I’m excited to find out what you learn!
August 17, 2012 at 2:54 pm
mc
This is probably a really obvious and simplistic suggestion, but has anyone ever tried Rescue Remedy on their xanthoma? I have a friend who has used it for her warts as well as a precancerous spot, and it worked for both of those skin blemishes. I can’t imagine it would work on xanthoma or else people would know about it, but I figured I would ask.
August 17, 2012 at 6:52 pm
dreamama
Never. Please tell me if it works! I have a whole unopened bottle in my medicine cabinet!
August 21, 2012 at 2:09 pm
martin
Nat, you say you tried homeopathy, did you try the cell salts?
August 22, 2012 at 4:24 pm
dreamama
What are cell salts?
August 22, 2012 at 6:51 pm
martin
Apparently most people are deficient in at least one of the 12 cell salts. These are minerals which are needed to absorb vitamins etc. Have read a lot of good stuff about them but nothing in relation to xanth as yet, though I am sure the woman in the vid below has xanth…
I would try them myself as they are cheap but cannot afford to as out of work and on bread line at moment…if anyone has tried them please let me know…cheers!
In the meantime am seriously considering doing the full 40 day Master Cleanse. Most people who have done short fasts have reported the growths diminishing so why hasn’t anyone tried the full 40 days??
Maybe I will be that guinea pig…
August 23, 2012 at 12:12 am
dreamama
I had signed on for twelve days of the Master Cleanse and just couldn’t bear to do more. If anyone makes it through the 40 days and whips these buggers, please let me know! I think if I went for it knowing I was doing it for 40 days (and knowing it would lead to the ultimate reward!), I would be capable. So please keep me posted!
August 25, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Nat
I saw a very well regarded homeopath who put me on a very strict 6 week diet with all sorts of homeopathy vitamins, as well as a gluten free diet which excludes all dairy and 99% of my usual diet:)
It did nothing for me:(
August 31, 2012 at 6:14 pm
anne
Just went on this blog for the first time..I have had surgery twice, last time in March of this year. I am just noticing them returning!!! have started the garlic thing. i am in Canada and noticed someone said their was an Xanthaplasma specialist in Canada..any idea who?
August 31, 2012 at 7:35 pm
dreamama
When you say you had surgery, did you have surgery with or without a laser? Just want to clarify for those of us are considering laser surgery! Thanks.
September 2, 2012 at 7:09 pm
rOBERT cROSTHWAITE
Hi guys, hope you all remember me. Just thought I would report back as its been a few months. As you will recall I had them above and below both eyes, and they were pretty big.
I used the garlic method, and really went to town lol. So, I can report that the lower ones are completely gone, have been now for several months, and touch wood, show no signs of returning. Although I am prepared for the possibility that they may come back one day, but so far so good.
The upper ones which were deeper below the skin are about 75% better, smaller, less raised, and much less noticable. I still hit them from time to time, and hope to be completely clear eventually, although Im happy enough with the improvement.
Someone asked how you can tell the depth. I think the ones that are closest to the skin surface, have the Cauliflower appearance, and the deeper ones are smoother. Of course the deeper they are the harder they are to shift.
Take care all of you
Rob
Ps you can always find me here http://www.facebook.com/nigel.crosthwaite
September 4, 2012 at 5:44 pm
dreamama
Robert,
Thanks so much for giving us an update. I’m sure you have given a lot of readers/xanth-sufferers hope! I am still terrified of the garlic cure, since it stung and scabbed so badly when I tried it briefly, but you have renewed my determination. I may just have to choose a time period when I won’t mind looking ghastly for a few days (is there ever such a time for a woman?) and go for it! In any case, congratulations on your great success.
September 16, 2012 at 8:02 am
natalie
I cant believe im not the only one,when i fell pregnant with my 2nd child all was well untill around the 6month mark i started to notice small patches above n under both eyes,yellow and very bright,after i had my son and breastfeeding they got worse,i had an op to remove them,unfortunately wasnt even 4months n they returned,i had many blood tests and everytime showed my cholesterol was fine! These patches have now pretty my covered both my eyes,more so under my eyes,and they are bright,from yellow to orange sometimes,i feel ugly and sometimes dont wanna face people as do feel im being stared at,doesnt help when peeps say i maybe using wrong coloured foundation. Which is annoying as ive got foundation but that doesnt even cover them!! Im hoping to hear back,maybe theres a laser treatmant or something.
September 16, 2012 at 12:59 pm
dreamama
Welcome to the club, Natalie! It’s a club no one wants to belong to. For one thing, I went to Sephora and got a really good cover-up that matched the color of the xanthomas. It helps, but obviously not enough. At least I feel slightly better when I walk out the door, although I’m still very conscious of them. (The other day a girl in my son’s class crouched right next to me in the sandbox and said, “What are those orange things?”) I’m sorry your surgery didn’t work; the same thing happened to me. I am definitely looking at laser surgery, although I might try a serious cleanse and consulting a homeopath, as well as exploring the lipase option before investing in laser surgery. Hopefully you can find some helpful tips here. All the best to you.
September 23, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Karen
Thanks everyone ! been following for a while seems we’ve all tried all of the same things….I used to be on all kinds of vitamins, everything from b’s c’s d’s chromium picolinate, all the oils,primrose,halibut,omega’s…..Then I just started to gag at taking some of these after several years and stopped them all.Thinking back thats about the time(or within a few months ) that I got a bump near my right eye on the side of my nose with no discolouration then the line/bumps under the tear duct area .first on one side then the other ….now I have an obvious white/yellow moon over the left eye and starting on the right., and another bump on other side of nose……….tried the garlic but not for long enough after reading about Robert(well done btw!!!!!) did the M cleanse again not long enough…….homeopathic? no help just $$ so this is what I’m trying at the moment (sorry it took so long to get to this part!)
2 lecithin caps 3 x day, apple cider vin diluted 3 x a day ingested then in the AM and PM I am using a q-tip to apply the vinegar on top of these monsters(make sure you close eyes or the fumes will make you very teary) then I apply caster oil to the area (my guy at Choices thought it may help)this store is like Whole foods. also will start today back on B,C,D and more coffee!!
I think that the shape /size is changing after 10 days also the color is much lighter
good luck to all….may hunt down CO2 laser next just in case
culinary girl
September 24, 2012 at 12:38 am
dreamama
Whoa, you are actually having some success with this latest?! Please let us know if you actually get rid of the suckers. I will wait with bated breath.
Thanks,
Andrea
September 26, 2012 at 1:23 am
bg
I have to report that I had “uppers” removed by plastic surgery. Not too expensive if done with just topical anesthetic (as opposed to OR). But I can tell that after two months, the x’s are “itching” to reappear, and it’s not feasible to keep removing skin.
So the real question is, what is the underlying cause? Is it digestive malabsorption? Is it from hyper-manufacture of lipids? Is it poor bile function? Or are there multiple factors, or multiple causes? Any researchers out there?
September 26, 2012 at 2:03 am
dreamama
That’s why I’ve been searching so long and hard for another, better solution. They do come back and I am desperate to find out if there is a way to beat them internally. I don’t think the research has been done. I’ve spoken to holistic practitioners, none of whom had any idea. It is so frustrating. Please, if anyone learns anything, please let the rest of us know!
September 26, 2012 at 3:53 am
Lorelei
Wish I had more time to fully research, but the conclusion section here might be of interest to some. It appears to be injections into the xan to make it disappear. One almost has to be a doctor to decipher thus though. Anyway:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15840364/?i=3&from=/15834100/related
October 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm
dreamama
Did anyone else see this? I think I’m going to ask my doctor about bleomycin. Sounds like these injections are quick and easy and, more importantly, they make the xanthelasma disappear!
October 10, 2012 at 2:52 am
Lorelei
I’de be grateful if you could followup if you do ask your doctor about it. It does seem least invasive removal option.
October 10, 2012 at 2:46 pm
dreamama
Hey Lorelei,
I don’t see your comment here, not sure why! But I wanted to let you know I have a derm appointment on Nov 6 and I will come armed with these various descriptions and ask her about all of them. If anyone has been having luck with any home treatments, please let me know!
Thanks.
September 26, 2012 at 2:06 am
Lorelei
I had co2 laser in Feb. I thought this summer that they were coming back but was happy to learn that the new skin (where lasered) does not tan at same rate. Stated wearing sunglasses and yay they are dissappearing again. I don’t think many of you are keen for surgery routes but for those older folks contemplating a blepheroplasty (eyelift) it might be taken care of in that procedure, before my surgery I was encouraged to do a bleph and saw quite a few examples of cases where xan was removed as part of bleph procedure. Good luck all!
September 28, 2012 at 12:17 am
Sally Clark
Mine are dreadful so I am on day 3 of the garlic it sure stings but the one I am working on seems to be shrinking and drying up fingers crossed. I had upper and lower Blepheroplasty surgery last year which included removal of some xan. Hmm a year on and the xan is worse than it ever was and spreading rapidly. The surgery cost a fortune and a year on my eyes are a complete mess I am so depressed by it!
September 28, 2012 at 1:36 am
mc
I keep reading that surgery carries a 40% chance of recurrence, but every real-life story I hear, the xan has grown back, and usually within a year. Has anyone heard of a case where the xan never grew back?
September 28, 2012 at 4:12 am
bg
The xanth are a SYMPTOM. The problem is that the CAUSE hasn’t been identified and dealt with.
September 28, 2012 at 9:29 am
Sally Clark
In my case it isn’t high cholesterol but the doctor gave me statins anyway after my surgery, but they have made no difference and the xan are still spreading. My diet is very good I have very little fat as I am always watching my weight! I just hope this garlic thing works as I live in Wales where it rains a lot so I look like a right idiot walking round in sunglasses all the time! As for my job I am a teacher and yes children comment on them all the time. I just want to hide away and never go out.
September 28, 2012 at 11:56 am
dreamama
Sally, I’m really sorry to hear what you’re going through. It must be so frustrating to have them coming back. I have contacted several physicians, nutritionists and holistic practitioners since this discussion began and no one has had any clue how to help us. Fingers crossed that the garlic works for you!
September 28, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Sally Clark
Well I am so pleased to find this chat and know I am not alone. Day 3 and the one I am treating is sore and scabby, fingers crossed. Mine started not long after I had a hysterectomy. I never had them before and nobody else in my family past or present have ever had them. I have checked my diet and have discovered that I rarely have more than 10g of fat a day and that is very low as on a diet to lose weight my fat intake is allowed to be 27-60g a day. That and taking statins means it cannot possibly be cholesterol hmmm I am so confused. Come on garlic work please!
September 28, 2012 at 5:23 pm
dreamama
It is not necessarily cholesterol related. Many people who have commented here and I have been tested and our cholesterol is normal. It remains a mystery!
September 28, 2012 at 6:48 pm
martin
After so many years looking into natural healing one thing is certain about cholesterol – it is not the cause of xanth or any other disease, it is a natural bodily response to inflammation where the body attempts to heal itself. If you came across a burnt down house would you blame the fire truck outside? Anyone who takes statins needs to do some research into what they actually do – block the liver from producing cholesterol – would you deliberately block the fire truck?
Anyway have come across some info which might be relevant. If you look at the picture of the facial lymphatic system you will see where the xanth deposits are coming from:
According to Andreas Moritz xanth is caused by the liver and/or kidneys being clogged up from decades of slow poisoning with processed foods/chemicals etc. This leads to sluggish/clogged lymph system, which can then manifest as xanth.
I have looked into the other symptoms of Lymphatic congestion and have quite a few:
Any thoughts on this?
September 29, 2012 at 1:24 am
mc
Sally, I am like you. No family history, I have a very low fat diet due to digestion issues, and I have almost no body fat. My cholesterol is normal and the docs can’t seem to find any other underlying cause. I’m also an elementary school teacher, and I am so fearful that my xanthoma spot will grow bigger and/or that I’ll grow more spots. My spot appeared about 14 months ago above my left eye, and it has grown a bit in length and width, but It’s still relatively small; however it’s hard for children to understand these things, and I dread teaching if I end up with more of these spots on my eyes. Yikes! It’s my biggest anxiety right now-crazy!
September 29, 2012 at 1:47 am
mc
Has anyone tried the dermablend camouflage make-up? I read it works well to cover xanthoma.
September 29, 2012 at 2:09 am
Sally Clark
I haven’t tried it but I have allergic skin and so I only use Clinique or Almay but I will look into it and try, anything. I’m going on holiday in a month to a very hot tropical country so won’t be able to cover it there eeeek!
It is so unfair they do not deal with this problem on the NHS here in the UK as far as I am concerned it is a facial disfigurement which causes terrible stress and anxiety. I guess they just feel it is not life threatening in any way so we all have to fumble around trying this and that to find our own solutions. Fingers crossed the garlic works!
October 6, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Nat
Hi again,
Yes, I use the dermablend to cover them up daily. It does a good job but quite tedious having to do it every day.
Has anyone heard of or tried to use a wart remover? Apparently, as this is an acid, it burns them off. I am thinking of trying this. Thoughts?
Otherwise, laser is looking like the only solution.
http://cms.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/conditions/xanthelasma/?page=2
October 6, 2012 at 6:17 pm
dreamama
I don’t know if anyone followed this link, but there are a lot of interesting comments and suggestions there. Check it out:
1. so I used the wartner wart gel pen for three days on the run and am now almost healed after two weeks of yucky scabbing which I have managed by salt/boiled water cleaning and vaseline and vitamin e oil at night. I had very large yellow blobs on top of my eyes and there is no trace of them now. 🙂 would do it again as I hated those marks!
2. I had one when I was about 50 and got rid of it taking pine bark extract. I did not know it was going to do it but it did. It got bigger and popped. Took about 6 months though. I got 2 more ten years later when very stressed when mother dying. I am trying the grape seed this time which is similar
Unfortunately, though, here’s another woman who also tried the wart medication:
Hi, Jill here – ok, so I bought a wart pen, then chickened out of using it (mother in law told me not to) she’s gone backt o England now, so, out came said pen. I tried it Sunday evening, brushed the gel onto a cotton bud and got hubby to apply it. Then again yesterday morning and yesterday evening, using the cotton bud again. All that happened is, it stung a bit for about 10 minutes, swelled up, it looked like I’d been punched in the face. So, this morning, I applied it directly with the brush attached to the pen – I’d just like to point out OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!! It burns so much more if you apply directly, so I’m not doing another dose today. Now that the treated area has turned white, I’ll see how it looks when it’s come off, and then see about further use of the pen, or a bank loan for the laser surgery (why I can’t just have them cut away I don’t know) – I will update as soon as I can get to a pc again. Good luck with whatever you try, but be careful too.
Interesting that people are finding treatments that work!
October 6, 2012 at 2:49 pm
mc
Hi Nat, Thanks for responding about the dermablend. How does the dermablend hold up? They claim it’s waterproof. Does the dermablend smear? Does it last a full day? I don’t usually wear make-up, but I’m considering this stuff if it works. Sally-I’ve read “dermacolor” is supposed to be more tolerable for people with sensitive skin.
October 7, 2012 at 4:19 am
Nat
For me, dermablend works well but I work in an office environment and have never tested with water.
I do find that I get fantastic results when I apply a tinted moinsturiser to my face as I would anyway, and then use the dermablend on top.
I found that the body dermanblend works best on the spots rather than the face one- plus it was half the price on clearance. Good luck!
If there is anyone that is willing to try to wartner, please let me know how you go. I am slightly scared to put acid on the spots at home.
October 8, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Sally Clark
Well I am ordering the dermablend thanks so much for all the feedback.
OK results of garlic after soreness scabbing and generally looking awful for about 2 weeks I can report that the lump is now much flatter and smaller but still there. I am considering another go to reduce it further but my hubby has hidden the garlic he thinks I am barking mad lol! Overall I am pleased with the results it now covers very easily as it is much flatter now.
October 8, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Sally Clark
Oh I used antibiotic eye ointment to help heal the scab I had a tube I never used after the eye surgery I had as it was still in date. The other cream I use is, now don’t laugh, I read about it years ago Anusol pile cream it kind of covers too as it is beige coloured. To me it makes sense soothing and for shrinking piles lol! I know I’m laughing as I write this but its the truth!
October 12, 2012 at 5:24 am
Steph C.
I really enjoyed reading everyone’s posts & am grateful to find people going through the same thing. I have a deposit under each eye for about a year now, they came about when I was breast feeding. I’ve fiddled with the garlic a bit, but am scared they will scab… I work in the Spa industry & I am embarrassed! I recently read online somewhere that you could try taking a Coq10 or garlic supplement to help get rid of Xanthomas & was wondering if anyone has tried that? I just started using a face cream with Coq10 & am hoping it will help.
October 12, 2012 at 5:30 am
Steph C.
I’m also curious if anyone has tried cod liver oil?
October 25, 2012 at 11:44 am
Jane
So cool to find this thread and that I am not alone. I have had this issue for the past eight months or so, predominately under my left eye and just a spot under my right. It showed up about 9 months after the birth of my baby, so I am currently assuming it is related to this, as I’ve never had any previous issues. I am heading off to my GP to have it checked out to see if there is any other issues and then I think I will start working through the list of treatments mentioned in this thread (starting with the garlic treatment). Great help having this thread.
October 27, 2012 at 12:12 am
sally
Yes for me the garlic treatment has all but cleared one large lump and is now working well on another lump under the eye which is much better already. Be warned it works but it is a long process about a month in all of looking dreadful! For me it has been worth it though.
October 27, 2012 at 12:54 pm
dreamama
A month? Gulp! I was planning to start last week and—surprise, surprise—didn’t. I month is daunting! And I have three of them! I think I will do it anyway. The question is just when. But is any time really better than any other for looking like hell for a month?
October 27, 2012 at 9:41 pm
sally
Well it has to scab and peel scab and peel over and over it is the continual peeling that is the xanthelasma coming away it seems but I am no doctor. When you first do it your eyes swell up too. Like I said my husband thinks I’m bonkers but for me it is working and to be rid of them for free is amazing. Only last year I spent a lot of money having them removed by surgery. Before I started this treatment they had become worse than they have ever been. A month on and I am feeling human again and can again look in a mirror without cringing!
October 28, 2012 at 9:05 pm
dreamama
Wow! Terrified, but think I’m definitely going to go for it. I have three of them, so maybe I do one now (immediately before I’m within a month of the holidays!) and if it works, plan to do the others in summertime? Just one possible plan…like I said, when do we ever want to go through an entire month of looking like a horror show? Then again, I’ve looked like a horror show for the last four years since I sprouted these buggers! Thanks for the tips and encouragement!
October 30, 2012 at 5:03 am
Joanne
I had the surgery to remove mine a week ago and I am so so pleased I did it!
And recommend it if you find a very good Doctor as I did!
October 27, 2012 at 9:42 pm
sally
Do it in the summer when you can wear sun glasses!
November 16, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Rachel
I’m so glad I found this! I have about 1cm of it under each eye and it started after giving birth. I had a tiny bit, then after my second daughter was born, it grew to 1cm and stopped growing after a year. So it’s been the same for almost 2 years now. I’m seriously looking into laser removal, I found a place an hour away that does free consultations and prices start from £450, but I don’t know what that really means or what it can go up to! Anyway, I might try the garlic! I guess mine might be deep because they’re smooth.
November 16, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Nat
Hi Rachel
I am exactly the same as you. Got mine underneath each eye after having my first son, and once they got to a certain stage, they stopped growing and have been the same for almost two years. Mine are also flat and garlic didnt work for me:( I am about to have my second baby and will see what happens with them… But the plan is to get them lasered off in a couple of months. Please let me know how you go with the laser and if you are happy with the results. I absolutely can’t stand these things! Good luck:)
November 23, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Rachel
Well now the laser place says based on photos I sent, that it will be £640, I have to go to a consultation, then procedure, then again 5 days later. And it’s an hour away. So I’m getting in touch with a private hospital in my town to find out their exact prices. They do it surgically which is cheaper, but somehow laser sounds better and more modern to me! I’ll keep you updated!
Don’t know if you know about Dermablend, it’s a blemish cream I’ve been using and it does cover it pretty good, but doesn’t last the whole day. It makes me feel a little better after I put it on and when I go out of the house! I’m not a makeup person though, so I hate having to use it.
I don’t remember if I read this in the comments, but did you have your cholesterol checked? I’m asking because as you probably know, it supposedly has to do with high cholesterol. I had mine checked and of course it was low. I’m thin and eat super healthy! But I wonder if maybe for that year after I give birth, for some reason I have high cholesterol? Maybe you can get yours checked out if you notice yours growing after giving birth again! It would be interesting to know how the cholesterol level is during its growth time.
January 10, 2013 at 5:36 pm
dreamama
Thought I’d mention that I got Dermablend based on your suggestion and others. It’s good, but I still have better luck with Stila under-eye concealer. It is thicker and stays on longer. Lately I’ve been using them together, first Dermablend followed by a small amount of the Stila. Here’s a link to it on Sephora.com:
http://www.sephora.com/perfecting-concealer-P116302?om_mmc=Googlepla&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-keyword&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=872812
November 29, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Jlmafera
Just found this comment blog. I had read last week about using garlic, so I tried it. I have three xanth, one above my left eye and one below each eye. The ones below are small, less than the size of a drain of rice. The one above my left eye was (notice I said WAS) the largest. I applied the garlic on a Thursday, then twice on Friday and twice more on Sat. About ten minues each. It’s now been one week, and the swelling is gone. The xanth is possibly 100% gone too! I’m not completely healed yet, but it is so, so much better. I kept polysporin on it constantly to promote a wet scab and less scarring. Conclusion: Garlic definitely works. Be careful, and be prepared for lots of burning, redness, and serous swelling. But it WORKS!
November 29, 2012 at 9:03 pm
dreamama
Terrific! Congratulations on your success and thanks so much for chiming in!
November 30, 2012 at 1:50 am
Jlmafera
I actually have a pic of after applying the garlic, and today. I can’t figure out how to post it, but I can forward it to an email. The results are very encouraging!!
November 30, 2012 at 1:11 pm
dreamama
I’d love to see it. Is there a way to email me through the site?
November 30, 2012 at 2:17 pm
jlmafera
I looked a bit, but I can’t seem to see a way. Let me know if you find anything.
December 5, 2012 at 9:28 am
littlewoodlanders
How long did you hold the garlic on for? I tried it the other day and it burned so much I couldn’t even last one minute! It was more like 20 seconds.
December 5, 2012 at 9:28 am
littlewoodlanders
Sorry, just seen that you said you held it on for 10 minutes. Did it burn incredibly?
December 6, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Jlmafera
Yes. The first few we’re the worst, then it deadened a bit. The area is still sensitive and red, and I’m almost two weeks out. It’s quite a burn that it produces on the skin.
December 5, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Jlmafera
Okay, I have an update. The xanthalesma I was treating has indeed shrunk, but has not disappeared as I formerly thought. It is probably 40% less, and quite a bit flatter. However, despite the degree of success, I have decided I won’t do this again. The thought of the risk of infection so close to my eye was disturbing to me. I can’t validate the potential risk to my eyesight with satisfying my vanity. Even though I hate these unsightly things!
What I did find out, which was kinda interesting, was that when the entire area was reddish with burn inflammation, the xanthalesma was invisible. So I have purchased some very dark toned dermablend. I am experimenting with shades of coverup. I am finding that blending the entire area much darker, instead of lighter, makes it much less noticeable. So, I’m going to call this experiment a success for teaching me how to cope a little better.
Take care all!
January 2, 2013 at 9:32 am
geo
Somehow I can’t see why garlic should cause an eye infection, it is in fact used to fight infection, also from resistant bacteria…
January 10, 2013 at 5:32 pm
dreamama
Garlic is great for bacteria (and for your health in general), but applying raw to your skin is quite intense. It stings a lot, like acid, so I can understand why people fear getting it in their eyes. My dermatologist recommended putting vaseline around the xanth beforehand to confine the garlic to that area and keep it out of the eye.
January 3, 2013 at 4:02 pm
aishanatolia
I came across this post a week ago whilst feeling grotty with the flu. I like so many others have been suffering… have three circular white blotches under left eye and another forming under my left. Am on my fifth day of the garlic treatment now. Spent three days with the garlic applying three times a day for fifteen minutes. Skin started scabbing fourth day, Looks pretty red and have some puffiness have bathed in salt water and descabbed once last night today scabbing over again. Not sure if its working yet.. think mine are quite deep. They started about three-four years ago coinciding with Menopause. I do suffer from high cholesterol but blood pressure normal. I am slim have never suffered from weight problems. Like everyone else have found these symptoms upsetting and would like to find a solution. I am soon to be 54 years old. Have noticed no one has written of late? Anyway will write again when I have a clearer idea as to how things look when the scabbing has cleared.
January 10, 2013 at 5:30 pm
dreamama
Please keep us posted about your progress! I really meant to try the garlic cure before the holidays, but it’s such a grueling prospect, I keep putting it off… Soon! Thanks.
January 10, 2013 at 10:25 am
Sally Clark
Well garlic was a great success for me on one of mine the other reduced but I will tackle that one again soon! I would not have surgery again because I did and spent a lot of money and they returned within a year and far worse than they were before surgery.and certainly bigger! the whole garlic treatment is barbaric but it did work for me and so far no return of them. I am taking statins now but my cholesterol was not high but the doctor gave them to me because of the lumps..
January 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Mary Anderson
Did anyone try the Lipase/aloe? I am going to try it soon. I was told to try lipase/calendula mixture. Calendula oil mixed with contents of a lipase capsule, apply.
I have had these nasty things under my eyes since I had my son 2 1/2 years ago. I also had low vitamin D levels, I’ve always had digestion issues and my cholesterol is good. I find it intriguing that these issues are common with a lot of you. Very happy to find this blog.
January 10, 2013 at 5:27 pm
dreamama
Are you supposed to apply the calendula/lipase topically? I’m really curious about all these potential natural cures. Still trying to find a way to avoid surgery myself.
January 10, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Mary Anderson
Yes topically. The thing posted previously on it said to apply and cover over night. Lipase is suppose to break down the fat, and calendula oil is suppose to heal wounds so maybe the 2 together will dissolve and heal it? It’s worth a try and cheap.
I saw the lipase/aloe was posted in August and I wondered if anyone had tried it. I have just heard about using lipase in the past week.
I had mine froze before and it didn’t work. I have read about the garlic on a couple forums, but I am to afraid to try it. I’m guessing it is similar to the freezing/burning whatever they did to me. It blistered and scabbed, but it didn’t help.
January 10, 2013 at 9:57 pm
Mary Anderson
I just found this site and copied the part on lipase below. Interesting.
http://www.life-enthusiast.com/index/products/Supplements_Enzymes/Enzyme_Deficiency_Symptoms
“Low levels of lipase have been found among adults who have benign fatty tumors surrounding their eyelids, an unsightly condition called xanthelasma. Adults with this condition often hide these fatty growths with makeup. While lipase is untried in these cases, a course of daily lipase with meals may prove to be a remedy.”
January 11, 2013 at 12:03 am
anik
thanks for this post. i have suffered from xanthelasma (upper lidds) for the last year and a half. seeming to come on suddenly and with a vengeance. no family history. blood tests done, with slightly high ldl cholesterol. i have tried many things over the year and finally did get them electro-cauterized where they basically burn off the top layer of your skin. this has to be done several times so that the fat moves up a layer and again burnt off.
terrible procedure, as you have a big scab to deal with for about a couple of weeks. hard to cover it up. so i wore glasses whilst it healed. this worked for about 4 months and then they started to appear and get larger. i had only gone twice to get the cauterization. pretty frustrating. the bad thing was it appeared to get lighter as well –perhaps my new skin was lighter, but made it harder to cover up even more!
i was researching about cholesterol and xanthelasma, and found out that a lot of people with thyroid issues mention xanthelasma as one of the symptoms. i discovered that a lack of iodine can cause cholesterol issues in the body for people who could be hyper or hypothryoid.
i had some lugol’s solution (iodine/iodide) and decided to take a drop in some water. i felt better. the xanthelasma diagnosis had been only the crux of a lot of tiredness and stress.
i thought as an experiment, i would dab a bit of the lugol’s on the xanthelasmas to see what would happen. iodine will stain but by the morning it will be gone, having been absorbed into the body. i have been doing this every day for about a week and a half. the xanthelasmas definitely reacted to the iodine. it got a little puffy and turned a mild red. i thought, hmmm at least something is happening here. skin has been slowly sloughing off on its own and the fat is less noticeable on the skin.
i’m beginning to think we are all slightly deficient in iodine and if we supplement it and place some in the affected area, it may help. it’s a slow process, but i’m feeling far more positive about it. the iodine has helped me mentality and physically too.
of course you need to be careful about taking too much iodine, so be aware and responsible.
i hope this will help someone!
January 11, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Mary Anderson
Thanks anik, that is interesting. I also have hypothroid. Ugh, so low iodine, low vitamin d and low lipase. I will do more research adding iodine to the mix.
January 11, 2013 at 9:03 pm
dreamama
So, are you applying the iodine topically and taking it internally? I want to completely understand. I went to the health food store today and spent quite a while talking to one of the people who works there. I ended up getting a product called Lypo Gold, which contains lipase among other ingredients and is used to optimize fat digestion. I figured I’d try it for a while, maybe while working my way up to going garlic! She thought that sounded like a good idea, too, though understandably intimidating.
January 11, 2013 at 11:34 pm
anik
hi mary and dreamama! i am taking 2 drops of lugol’s iodine with water and drinking. plus i am also using a q-tip and dabbing some of the lugol’s onto the affected lids when i go to bed–as the iodine stains. it will disappear by the morning.
the lugol’s has helped me with mental clarity, energy and i feel less bloated. i have long suspected that i am hypothyroid, but tests always showed normal results, but i had all the symptoms.when i recently saw that hypothyroidism can create high cholesterol levels in the body, and since hypothyroid is often an iodine deficiency, i thought iodine might be the answer.
iodine is supposed to be anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. it’s also good for a myriad of skin issues. so with this in mind, i thought, why wouldn’t it work on the xanthelasmas? couldn’t hurt. couldn’t be as bad as it looks now. so i tried. iodine has a direct effect on cholesterol (actually considered a form of wax), as it makes the fat/wax more soluble in water.
iodine is used to purify water in areas that have contaminated water sources.
so i figured it must be relatively safe to try a few drops, and thus far, the nightly dabbing has helped. the nodules aren’t as noticeable. less cover-up is needed. they keep shedding skin slowly, so i think that’s good.
there’s different forms of iodine. in my reading, lugol’s seems to be one of the better forms as it contains iodine & iodide.
mary, are you taking anything for your hypo? just curious to see if you feel your thyroid situation is under control.
cheers,
anik
January 12, 2013 at 1:24 am
the fatty liver solution
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the fatty liver solution.
Regards
January 12, 2013 at 3:45 am
Mary Anderson
Yes, I take armor thyroid which is the natural one. I have been on it for about 13 years. I had a goiter 13 years ago and that’s how I ended up on the medicine, the medicine did make the goiter go away. The doctor switched me to the synthetic one last year even though I told him several times my body didn’t like it and I broke out in a crazy hand dermatitis called pomphlyx. That seemed even worse than the xanthelasma. I had to do a candida detox and went gluten, wheat and sugar free for a couple months to get rid of it.
So I am back to Armor thyroid. I also take L-tyrosine in the afternoon to help. I think I am going to go have blood work done next week to check all my levels and I will start taking the iodine again. I have Iodoral, it’s pretty much the pill form of Lugol’s. I used to take 1/2 of a pill in the afternoon to help with thyroid function, but I haven’t taking it in a long time. Since I started taking the L-tyrosine my dosage was cut on the armor for the 1st time ever.
I am so glad I found this page, it has been very enlightening reading everyone’s story. Please keep us posted on how the iodine is working. I will also be buying the lipase next week to try topically and let you all know how it works. I do currently take a combination digestive enzyme with it in it, but I probably need higher dose. I feel that my body doesn’t digest well at all. So time for some changes. 🙂 Thank you ladies so much!!!!
P.s. I am only 38, way to young to have all these crazy things going on. lol
January 14, 2013 at 10:18 am
Julie
Hi all, thank u dreamama for starting this up, its cormforting to know that we are not alone. and thank u all for sharing. Robert you are quite inspiring, i am going to try the garlic treatment. i am 43 years and ve 2 on both my upper eyelids. they are not so big but some people think i ve been stung by an insect or some allergic reaction. so defintly uncormfortable. i have had them for around 5 years & was told nothing cd b done apart from surgery, but these articles do give me hope. i will update you all
January 15, 2013 at 4:43 am
FL
It’s very encouraging to have such a place for people having Xanthelasma to share their views and feelings.
I have two on my upper eyelids. The one on right is large but relatively flat, which is around 1 inch in diameter while the left one is moderate in size and very visible due to its thickness. I have them for about 8 years and their sizes become larger in recent 2 years.
I am aware of people in streets always looking at my eyes in recent years. My friends, relatives and wife start to worry about my condition and advise me to consult some specialists.
I eventually made up my mind and have just completed a laser treatment to remove them in mid-December 2012. The result is good. The moderate one has been completely removed while the affected area of the large one is still in progress of recovery. I think that laser treatment is effective. However, as told by the doctor, the recurrence rate of Xanthelasma is high and the reason of recurrence is still unknown provided that the cholesterol level is normal. I am nervous about this as my cholesterol level is quite normal for the past years, my diet is normal, and I have jogging as regular exercise for almost 8 years. Thanks to this blog and I may try to alter my diet to have more natural, healthy foods so as to keep my levels of lipase, vitamin D, statin and iodine not too low.
Hope you all can find the best way to eradicate this awful thing.
January 15, 2013 at 12:47 am
wishforthebest
Don’t get depress with what you have, try to reduce cholestrol levels.
I have xantha too….try to eat 1tsp of flax seeds atleast fivedays in a week…
January 16, 2013 at 9:38 pm
anik
Mary–it’s good you don’t have to take as much for your thyroid. I’d encourage you to try the iodoral or lugols. I tried dabbing some lugols on a skin tag on my arm each night before bed, and it is disappearing. This is just after a week.
The xanthelasmas are also shrinking, and my face has changed from dry to smooth in a manner of weeks. It is a slow process, but I am definitely seeing some progress and it is less invasive than the electo-cauterization laser route. And it’s cheap!
January 16, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Andrea Meyer
If I understand correctly, the iodine that you are dabbing on the xanth every night is actually shrinking them?! This seems like such a painless solution.
January 17, 2013 at 2:14 am
anik
Hi Andrea–indeed this is what’s going on. It does sting a little and I did experience some slight redness, swelling, but it wasn’t as bad as getting the top layer of your skin burnt off. This is a cakewalk by comparison!
I give it a dab in the evening after I take off my makeup. I definitely require less concealer, and it’s only been a few weeks. I’m using lugols iodine.
Let us know if you decide to try.
January 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm
dreamama
But the xanth is actually (if slowly) disappearing?
January 16, 2013 at 11:35 pm
Judy
I did a google for xantha, and a web site came up from Singapore for a cream. Is this too good to be true? and just wondering why no-one has mentioned this or come across it?
January 17, 2013 at 1:20 pm
dreamama
Do you have a link for this? Sounds too good to be true, but at this point I’ll try anything!
January 20, 2013 at 3:52 am
Judy
I have just bought some – so this is a cheaper option compared to dermatologist etc at this stage – so hopefully it should be here this week (I live in New Zealand!) link is:
http://www.organiconline.com.sg/shopcart1_NZ.htm
but maybe go back and choose your own country.
Cream is at the bottom of the first box – good luck.
I had my invoice verified by PayPal as it looked sus; but they got back to me to say that it was all good. Let me know how you get on 🙂
January 20, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Andrea Meyer
$180 is still pricey. Can you use it for a while and report back to us how well it works? Thanks so much and GOOD LUCK! I will be crossing my fingers for you.
January 23, 2013 at 12:03 am
anik
Hi dreamama, it is slowly changing. Getting smaller and sloughing off more skin.Perhaps if I didn’t have to work and could put the iodine on more frequently, it would hasten the pace, but for now it is slow, but i do see a little progress. Definitely interested in that cream! The photos looked impressive.
January 23, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Andrea Meyer
You saw photos of the cream results? Do you have a link for them?
January 24, 2013 at 6:32 am
anik
Here’s the link–however scrutinizing it more carefully, it doesn’t really say, before/after, so it could be totally different people with varying levels of xanthelasma:
http://www.organiconline.com.sg/npxanthelasma.htm
January 28, 2013 at 9:08 pm
Andrea Meyer
Are you trying the cream? Can you tell us if it works? Just checked out the site and I’m very tempted!
January 24, 2013 at 5:45 pm
nicol winter
hi im 37 from the uk and iv had mine since my daughter was born 7years ago. I had no help from one doctor I saw so off to a woman doctor hopefully she will be more understanding! both my eyes have it and a 2 great big blobs on top lids. My husband really doesn’t want me to go the garlic route but if the doctor wont help I shall do it!! I don’t see why we should pay for this removal as I didn’t ask for this its not like I want a new nose for vanity reasons. this isn’t a cosmetic issue I feel, im sure you all think the same.its great to know im not the only one, so it helps to see all the love in this room. will let ya know how I get on next Monday. also Iv no idea how old this thread is but its the 24rd jan 2013 . thanks nicol
January 27, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Robert Crosthwaite
Hi Guys Rob here. Just thought I would pop in to say hi. I have been clear now for 6 months (I went down the Garlic route, as some of you already know) Just a few things to add. I think the reason Garlic fails to work for some people, is they dont go for it. Its no good just putting it on for 30 seconds, you have to keep it on for at least 5 minutes, and ten is better. And every day for at least 5 days. I know its a bit of a worry when it starts stinging, but you have to get through that, as soon as you remove the garlic the stinging will stop, but you have to get through those 5-10 minutes. And expect to look pretty gross for at least a week, there will be lots of swelling and scabs, so ONLY do one at a time. I did make the mistake of doing both upper and lower at the same time once, big mistake, the eye was completely closed the next day, had I done both eyes I would have been completely unable to see for several days.
For those in the UK, you should be able to get treatment on the NHS, but all they will do is put a chemical acid on, which is similar to using garlic anyway. Co2 laser seems to offer the best results, but this is only available privately, and you would expect to pay around £500 for this treatment.
Something that might be worth a look is a product that I have been using for a few months now, its called, Retin A. Its a treatment for acne, but also, an anti aging skincare treatment as well. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, and generally makes your skin smoother and younger looking. I wont to into the technical stuff, but the way it works, suggests to me it may help. Just google Retina a, and check it out.
As always Im here, if anyone wants a chat, Im known by my middle name Nigel on facebook http://www.facebook.com/nigel.crosthwaite
Take care guys and NEVER GIVE UP these buggers can be beaten
January 27, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Andrea Meyer
Thanks, Robert, for the update. I am planning on doing another post that sums up everything people here have tried here. There are so many ideas and I’d like to be able to counsel people on what works and what doesn’t. I’ve also been corresponding with a woman who used an acid she bought commercially and she had fantastic results. She sent me a picture and it looks amazing. She had tried garlic and it didn’t work, maybe because she didn’t do it for long enough, as you’re suggesting. I will post a comment here with her results or maybe a new post, since I don’t know how to post the photo in comments. So happy you are still xanth-free! I’m still covered and planning to try SOMETHING in the next month or so. Just dreading it and procrastinating, I suppose. Luck to all!
Andrea
January 29, 2013 at 2:34 am
Lorelei
Came across this solicitation for Xan sufferers to be part of study. 6 months old, but may be some help to anyone in NC area. They offer significant discount on laser in return.
http://www.salujalaser.com/uncategorized/recruiting-patients-for-xanthelasma-laser-study/
January 31, 2013 at 12:48 am
Judy
My cream has arrived – and started last night – so shall keep you all up to date! Be back in a week or two with amazing results hopefully as I have a wedding to go to!
January 31, 2013 at 12:43 pm
dreamama
I can’t wait to hear how it’s going! Best of luck to you, let’s hope the little buggers are gone within weeks. Keep us posted! Hugs, Andrea
January 31, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Lorelei
I wonder if anyone has tried this:
http://www.proderma-eu.com/en/product-view/4/27.html
January 31, 2013 at 2:31 pm
dreamama
Wow, I can’t believe this exists and none of us knew about it until now. The U.S. is not on their list of countries where you can purchase the product, so I just sent them an email. I’m intrigued. I also asked if they have any information about the product’s effectiveness.
February 1, 2013 at 1:07 pm
coffee bean diet
It is actually a great and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
February 14, 2013 at 3:33 am
mc
anik-I’m wondering if the iodine is continuing to shrink your xanth?
February 14, 2013 at 3:52 am
anik
hi mc! i can report that the iodine seems to be slowly doing something. the xanth has decreased in puffiness (for both lids). i continue to daub a bit on them every night. i also have about two drops a day mixed with water. i also started taking selenium, which i heard is important to supplement with iodine. selenium another mineral known for lowering cholesterol and important for iodine absorbtion–it seems all these minerals work in tandem. at the very least, i can say they aren’t getting bigger, which was the case before i started the iodine.
i figure if it maintains or shrinks, then if i need to do that cauterization again just to get rid of the remnant bits, i would be more confident it would be the last time i’d have to resort to that method and possibly (hopefully) rid the xanth forever.
my fear is that if i do the cauterization again, it’ll just keep coming back after a few months if i’m not dealing with the core problem: whether this is caused by something metabolic, thryoid, a deficiency–that’s still to be determined.
i feel i’m getting closer to the issue, at least! hope this helps!
anik
February 15, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Pesky Xanthelasma! « I Don’t Have Time to Write This!
[…] most popular post I’ve written is this one. It’s about an irritating skin condition I’ve got called xanthelasma: fat deposits in […]
February 15, 2013 at 5:24 pm
dreamama
Hi everyone,
I wanted to let you know I wrote another post today about xanthelasma that rounds up all the various treatments you guys have mentioned so we’d have them all in one place. Please let me know if you have updates or if there’s anything I should add. Hope it helps!
All the best,
Andrea
February 15, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Lorelei
This is very thoughtful of you to wrap it up for all. Thank you! A couple of comments though I am not sure they need to be added:
1.Cryosurgery (freezing gun, like often used on warts) I had this when mine first appeared. It worked very well on the raised one, but only faded the flat one. Both were on upper lids. The process involved scabbing of the xan area itself but no swelling. Mine never came back until 10 years later when I got pregnant. I have never seen anything on the web, but the first dermatologist I ever saw for it did it, and have never been offered it since. Others said they don’t do it on eyes, and the old fellow I saw has retired. A year ago I did laser surgury and the process was slick. I fear they might be back. They don’t look the same at all, flat and more clear/white, not thick and yellowish. I’m prone to scarring so it might be scar tissue. Mostly it is still unnoticeable without makeup, and remains undetectable with makeup.
2. With any surgery: I’ve recently discovered that certain people are prone to keloid scarring. This is where your scar can be unusual in anyway that it is any of: thicker, raised, red, and continues to grow. NO ONE I consulted about my xan asked me about keloid scarring. My doc noticed I have a keloid scar where I had a mole removed on my shoulder (slightly raised, white, thick, a little bumpy). This seems like it would be an important thing to consider when getting surgery on ones face! I was shocked when I discovered this. I just thought my mole removal had bad stitching, but that was not the case. The doc told me that because you have one keloid scar does not mean every scar will be, but that you are more at risk.
3. Make up: Since I am not a make up wearer it took me ages to figure out that the best way for me to blend was to dip a qtip into the coverup a small amount (usually in the lid) dab on lightly, wait 5 second and take the dry side of qtip to remove a little off where I just applied. Repeat a couple of times if needed. I found that the coverup was smooth where the rest of m skin was (I’m getting old 🙂 ) not, this gave my skin texture and blended with my unaffected areas better. I’m sure everyone has their own best way, but I wish I would have learned this earlier!
Very best to all!
February 17, 2013 at 2:40 pm
MandyL
I tried the organice cream (http://www.organiconline.com.sg/npxanthelasma.htm) a couple of years ago, did not work for me. Not to say it won’t work for other people. Its pretty expensive too.
I also tried the garlic thing, sting like hell, and did not work either.
I also tried TCA – might have improved initially, but years later, I still look like crap.
I’m going try detox next.
As you can see, I’ve tried almost everything that has been mentioned. LOL.
February 21, 2013 at 2:06 am
dreamama
OMG, your comment makes me so sad! I pray that something works for you…for both of our sake. For all of our sake!
November 27, 2017 at 2:48 am
Zaki De Luca
Mandyl I can`t bay this cream how long you use this cream?
November 27, 2017 at 2:49 am
Zaki De Luca
How much cost the cream?
February 21, 2013 at 2:03 am
Hilary
Wow! This is the most comprehensive blog/chat on Xanth. Where have you all been for the past 3 years!
I’ve read in the past few weeks about the garlic treatment, but after reading Roberts full description of treatment and what to express, I started last evening.
I’m in Southern California and my Blue Cross insurance considers having them removed in a 20 minute procedure in office at my dermatologists is a COSMETIC PROCEDURE! Not only did he explain to the insurance company that they Xanths are starting to affect my eyesight (i can see them in my peripherial vision, they are compressing my tear ducts and my eyes don’t drain. I can be sitting at my desk at work, having to blink 10 times just to clean the blurry/gunky vision and have tears running down my cheeks. (does anyone else also have this problem?)
I am praying that the garlic works. . .all lipids, cholesterol, etc are fine…I do have acid reflux and take prescription omeprazole 20mg 1x a day. I’m a semi-lean person with no weight issues (5′ 7″, size 6) and am so tired of trying to hide the xanths that cover 1/4 of my eyelids, down the inside bridge of my nose and small ones under the inner corner of my eye.
Dreamama….my xanths look exactly like yours!!!!!
Will keep you posted on my sucess with the garlic and burning issues everyone has mentioned.
February 21, 2013 at 2:09 am
dreamama
When I had mine removed many years ago, the procedure was covered by insurance. I had to pay upfront but was reimbursed by my insurance. That has changed and my dermatologist assures me that it is now considered cosmetic and there is very little chance of it being covered. Ridiculous!
February 22, 2013 at 2:15 am
Mary Anderson
It’s been awhile since I checked in on here. I ended up going to a naturopath/herbalist, I am back on the all natural diet and have been applying Cellfood to my xans. It has only been a couple weeks, but they are a tiny less noticeable. I will update you again when more desirable results are present.
February 22, 2013 at 3:04 am
dreamama
What’s Cellfood! Definitely let us know how it all goes…and best of luck to you!
February 25, 2013 at 3:44 am
Mary Anderson
There is the link
http://www.cellfood.com/
You can buy it tons of places online and it’s pretty inexpensive. I have been taking it 3 times a day (8 drops in cup of water) for a month and I have mixture of 30 drops in 1 teaspoon of water that I apply to xans 3 times a day with a q-tip. They are less noticeable and have shrunk a bit in size. I’ll update in a couple more weeks on progress.
March 4, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Hilary
Well, the garlic didn’t work for me. . . was very diligent in using it 2x’s a day…although my dog liked it and kept wanting to lick my eye lids!
I have two consultations this week with doctors to see price comparisons.
For those of you living in Southern California (San Diego), I’ll let you know what the cost is looking like!
March 7, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Hilary
Hi Again! Well, I’ve had 3 consultations this week. 1 with a dermatologist and 2 with plastic surgeons.
Believe it or not the plastic surgeons quotes to remove the Xanths were 1/3 the price of the dermatologist!
So, I’m scheduling the 20 minute in office procedure for hopefully March 21st.
March 7, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Andrea Meyer
How much is it going to cost? Just curious.
March 9, 2013 at 4:42 am
Hilary
I’m all scheduled for March 21st and plan on taking that day and the following day off…
The plastic surgeon is charging $500 for both eyes…top & bottom. He is going to do both eyes at the same time (whereas the dermatologist would only do the top of both eyes in one visit and the bottom eyes in another visit).
He suggested I have someone drive. He said he doubted I would have much swelling but just to be safe and told me to expect some bruising for a week or so.
I’m excited to hopefully be rid of these for once and for all!
March 13, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Nat
Laser surgery booked in a couple of weeks! Cannot wait!!! Tried everything else and it’s time to say goodbye to these horrible things!
March 24, 2013 at 12:44 am
Hilary
Hi All!
Well, that 20 minute procedure to have both eyes (upper & lower) done at the same time was more like an hour when all was said and done!
I was awake but numbed for the procedure and my Dr. was the nicest….between he, I and the assistant nurse, we chit chatted during the whole procedure!!
He explained that he was going to use the finest/smallest cat-gut to stitch the incisions and it would help with the scarring. It would disolve and no stitch removal would be necessary. His only concern was what he called “webbing”. He was a bit concerned that the inside corners of my eyes might web a bit, almost like asian eyes but said he could fix that at no charge if it did become a problem. He said it was all based on the “stretch-ability” of the skin.
I asked if I would be able to see the little buggers after he removed them and he said no problem. It was AMAZING how small they actually were when he removed them!
The bottom ones were about the size of 1 uncooked grain of white rice. The upper ones were a little larger, more like the rice was cooked and plumped up (hope I’m not grossing anyone out here). They are “snow white” in color and it’s amazing how yellow they appear under the skin! They were solid fat and he had to snip them out as they tend to adhere to the tissue.
He did warn me that the left eye would take most of the punishment because the Xanth on the side bridge of my nose was more distinguished and I’ve had some pretty bad brusing and swelling on that eyelid since I left the Dr’s office on Thursday morn.
All in all, minimal to no bruising on the lower removals….and just the red/purple bruising on the left eyelid post op 48+ hours later. The toughest part was the suggestion to sleep upright for 48-72 hours to minimize the swelling!
If anyone would like to see before/after pics…just shoot me an email at Hilaryat@yahoo.com
March 24, 2013 at 12:57 am
dreamama
Congratulations! Tell me again if you had them cut off or if you did laser surgery. And yes, I’d love to see pictures! I’ll email you. All the best to you,
Andrea
March 27, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Jeffrey Mordan
I’ve just read all of the above. Took awhile….
Hilary, isn’t the concern that the Xanthelasma will come back in a year, and you’ll have to have them removed over the over again? Can anyone’s skin take that?
I’m a 40 year old male. Good health. Exercise regularly. After 14 years of being a vegetarian, I started eating meat again like it was going out of style. Meat, and ice cream. That’s what I think created this Xan line under my right eye. Went all over to find out what it was. Eventually having it removed by a plastic surgeon. Then it came back within a year, and now have another starting to pop up under my other eye.
I, like a few others, am an educator. I’m tired of kids telling me there is something on my face. I’m tried of seeing people staring at it, and trying to hide behind my glasses. I’m tired of it.
I tried a natural remedy from my acupuncturist. She swore it would help, and after a month, whatever I was taking did nothing to fix the blemish.
I was hopeful once more after reading Robert’s idea last week. It’s spring break now, so I’m putting the garlic on several times a day. This is the 4th day, putting it on 4 or 5 times a day for 15 minutes. It burns more and more every day. When is it supposed to scab? I don’t see how this is going to work, and I’m feeling disappointed again. It just looks really red, but otherwise no change. Is it better to have yellowish/white lines on my face, or red blotches?
I made a new appointment with a dermatologist in a couple weeks. Maybe she will help. Apparently, it’s rare, because the only thing the last dermatologist did was get her assistant to come in and take a look at my face (great way to make a person feel like a freak). And just like some others in this post, the doctor minimized it because it’s not life threatening.
I wish a line on my face didn’t bother me, but it does. I wish my sense of self wasn’t so tied up in how I look, but it is. I wish we as a society weren’t so caught up in how people look, but we are.
It makes me think of Shane Koyczan’s “To This Day” Project, when he takes about the girl with the birth mark on her face and her child’s definition of beauty.
So many of you are mothers. I’m a parent of two. Regardless of how I feel, I need to make sure that I’m not perpetuating this external judgement on others. Maybe that’s the best thing I can try to teach my kids, and the most important thing I can learn.
April 21, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Hilary
Jeff,
Some can call it vanity, but in my case, my eyes would “tear up and my vision was starting to be affected due to the pressing down on my tear ducts”. . . sure, vanity is involved…but a little vanity never hurt anyone! LOL
There’s a 25% chance of them returning in all Xanth sufferers, no matter what course of treatment you seek. . . but it is well worth it to me to be able to have that conversation with people and not have them staring at your eyes, or the blurry, teary vision for the first 6-8 hours of the day!
April 3, 2013 at 6:12 am
Solar
Hi guys. Thanks for all your contributions. I developed Xanthelasma under my right eye after an entirely sleepless night during a very stressful period of my life. 6 months later, the other eye was affected too. This was almost 4 years ago but it made me look at my self. I took up vigorous exercise, lost weight , took herbs and improved my diet. I have also tried using trichloroacetic acid -TCA which works to some extent but you have to use at least 30% or ideally 50%. This is the acid used in chemical peels. It’s very strong stuff so u have to be very careful not to allow it to touch any part of ur skin that is not affected by the Xanthelasma. Overall, people hardly seem to notice it anymore so I must have done something right.
I will be doing the garlic method soon followed by a deep Ayurvedic body cleanse so will keep you all posted. I’m also looking into the inflammatory effects of animal proteins which I suspect also play a part.
April 3, 2013 at 12:47 pm
dreamama
Please keep us informed. I’m very interested in whether there are internal treatments for xanthelasma as opposed to topical ones. Seems like you’re doing a great job. Good luck with it.
April 3, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Rachel
I have an appointment for a consultation on Monday at a laser clinic! I’m so nervous! I’m also really scared after reading about so many people who had it removed and then grow back. Mine started after my daughter was born and stopped growing one year later, which is 2 years ago. Those who had it grow back, was it already growing? Mine are tiny too. About 1cm and only under my eyes.
April 10, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Sam
Ohhh wow Im so glad I have found a place where we all suffer the same condition, and for most of us…no reason!! I would love to hear the updates, success stories….or hope to find something that really works…minus the burning 😉 ! I think I will def try the garlic as I have one under both of my eyes that appeared about 3months after my 4th child was born, so 4yrs ago now.
And like you all, I really don’t like having them there, and are very self conscious, even with make up! I wish everyone the best of luck and I really look forward to updates. As i will with you guys when I pluck up the courage to try garlic!!
April 15, 2013 at 5:48 am
Nat
This is a question for Sam – were you by any chance induced with your 4th child? I am thinking that maybe the drugs have an effect?
April 23, 2013 at 5:41 am
Sam
Hi Nat, I wasn’t induced, but I did have a planned c-section with my last, which was completely different to my other 3 as they were natural births! So possibly the drugs?!
April 20, 2013 at 5:10 am
Nat
Gone! Hopefully never to be seen again. Having had laser done, I would highly recommend this! It is an extremely fast healing process. I had it done just a little over a week ago, and its almost healed!
April 21, 2013 at 6:20 pm
dreamama
Questions:
How much did it cost?
Are you worried about recurrence? What did your doctor say about this?
This certainly seems like the most satisfying treatment—gone and good riddance!—but I am worried about price and recurrence.
Thanks!
Andrea
April 20, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Mandy
Hello Andrea and everyone,
I have been researching this problem for a while now, and after reading Rob’s comments, I am doing the garlic treatment, starting today. I will keep you posted on how it goes. Thanks for the information.
By the way, Rob, I did send you a message on Facebook, it has probably gone to your “other” folder.
April 20, 2013 at 11:33 pm
Mandy
I have just taken some “before” photographs. I will try to remember to photograph the progress, in case anyone is interested.
April 21, 2013 at 6:17 pm
dreamama
That would be great! I’d love to see them. Thanks, Andrea
April 22, 2013 at 5:12 am
Nat
I’m in Australia, so I am roughly $500 out of pocket.Yes, concerned about them coming back but after doing much research on the net, a lot of women tend to get these after childbirth. I waited to have bub #2 before getting rid of them. There are of course no guarantees but I’m hoping that pregnancy and hormones were the reason for these.
April 22, 2013 at 12:00 pm
dreamama
Maybe you’re right. While mine are still raging strong, I don’t think they’ve actually grown since my last pregnancy. Best of luck to you!
April 23, 2013 at 5:47 am
Sam
Hi Nat can I ask who you saw in Australia? Im in Aust too, living in Victoria and was wondering do you get a referral from the Drs and who do you see? A dermatologist? And where your marks large? So sorry for all the questions 🙂 Just would love to see mine gone to 🙂
April 23, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Nat
I’m in Melbourne and originally I went to a few doctors inc specialists and dermatologists etc however they couldn’t really help.
I ended up getting it done at Dr Lanser in Malvern. Cost all up was $600 but $200 was consultation fees for which medicare will reimburse a large portion. From memory, I think you might need a referral from your GP.
Luckily, mine were not that big. I had one under each eye.
Best of luck to you! It’s so nice not having them!!!
April 25, 2013 at 5:52 am
Sam
Thanks Nat, I will be looking into Dr Lanser or seeing if there is somewhere closer for me in country Victoria as both mine are only small under each eye (even though they seem to be the only thing I see when I look in the mirror)! So glad you got success from yours 🙂
April 23, 2013 at 12:17 am
Lisa L
i just read thru this whole blog. thank you for setting this up. i have one under my left eye, it is very deep. i got it when i was pregnant with my 1st son (i went caffeine free then too!). it hasn’t changed much since then, even after son #2. but i just went to the dr. and found out the name for it. seems like there is a correlation to pregnancy and hormone changes in causing these things. i don’t have high cholestrol either, all blood tests look normal. but i only found one thing on google about these and menopause being a cause. But the dr. didn’t seem to know too much about it. i am going to see another dr. now about options.
April 24, 2013 at 8:24 pm
michelle
hi this is a great page ive noted a few things down i would love to do the garlic but im really scared im going to see my doc on tues hope she can do something to have these horrible things removed 🙂 xx
May 3, 2013 at 12:29 pm
dreamama
Tim posted this question. Any thoughts?
Hi dreamama,
I found there are two types of TCA peels at Amazon.
1. Lactic Acid 50% Gel Peel
2.Trichloro Acetic Acid – TCA Peel 50%
I am not sure which one I should buy. Do you have any ideas?
thanks,
Tim
May 4, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Rachel
I went to the laser clinic for a free consultation and I’m totally having them taken off, but she said she can’t do it if I’m breastfeeding. Something about your pigment being different, so the skin might grow back slightly different color I guess. Time to get my daughter weaned!
Also, I had a vague memory that after my first daughter was born, there was a tiny speck of this under one eye, and that after my second daughter was born it grew, and also appeared under my other eye, all over the course of about a year. Well I saw a photo of myself before I was pregnant with my second, and there was a tiny yellow dot under one eye! So yeah, it was from both pregnancies, but the second one just make it soooo much worse.
May 10, 2013 at 3:41 am
Stephanie C.
I just came across two different references about lecithin being used to treat fatty deposits around the eyes & wanted to post here. Not sure if it should be taken internally or applied topically though.
May 28, 2013 at 4:23 am
jade
Hi everyone,
I have one above my left eye but it’s skin coloured and like a hard round bump underneath the skin when i squeeze it – not sure if it’s the same thing?
There was another bigger one that the GP described as a cholesterol deposit but unfortunately treatment isn’t available here because it’s seen as ”cosmetic”.but he won’t refer me to a specialist =/
I ended up cutting it myself (extreme, I know) after the scab came off, it was gone (this was in dec 2012) and so far it hasn’t come back – so maybe surgery would work for some..
May 28, 2013 at 12:23 pm
dreamama
Wow. Impressive. Bold! I have that hard little ball, too, in addition to the larger, yellower, flatter xanth. Nice to see you found a way out!
May 28, 2013 at 6:05 pm
jade
I hope everyone on here finds something that works for them.
For me, I’d rather have a scar..so tempted to get rid of the ball as well but now, I’m scared.
May 28, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Hilaryat
Jade,
I had mine removed from both eyes approximately 7 weeks ago…and the scar is so thin and almost the same color now as the rest of my face…you can’t even tell that I had anything done….
As for how much better I feel about myself…that’s priceless! (this past week, I finally threw away all of the different colored concealers I had bought over the past 3 years trying to hide the xanths)
May 28, 2013 at 8:59 pm
dreamama
That’s very inspirational. Did you just have them cut off or removed with laser surgery?
June 8, 2013 at 3:53 pm
bev
has anyone tried putting lecithin directly onto the problem areas? if so, was there any change?
June 25, 2013 at 5:27 am
Nikki
so glad i found this site!!!! i am 32, one small on upper eyelid, and a very tiny one on other upper eyelid…..i have 3 boys and they did come when my youngest was about 4….they are horrible, i never leave the house without my sunglasses!!, this may sound weird but atm i am trying teatree oil, it burns but the stuff fixes so many things i thought, heck, ive got nothing to loose!! yes it burns but not as bad as the garlic. ive tried it a couple times but gave up because the burning was so intense.
June 25, 2013 at 11:41 am
dreamama
You’re right…tea tree oil is one of those substances that heals so many things. Let us know if it works!
August 5, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Maria
i went to the dermatologist not knowing what these were. I swear mine are the result of an anti wrinkle face cream i had bought online. (The dr disagreed.) I distinctly remember one appearing seconds after using the cream. I have thrown that stuff out. The dermatologist reco’d me to a plastic surgeon to remove them surgically. The plastic surgeon wants $1100.
I have had my cholesterol checked and it is fine/normal.
I had 4 total – one on each eyelid top and bottom. The smallest one seems to have disappeared on its own, but Im not sure how. I recently started taking 1000mg daily doses of Niacin, and wonder if that is related. (Niacin can help reduce cholesterol.) None of the remaining ones have changed at all, tho.
Regardless, I started the garlic treatment today on the biggest one. So far, it hurts like hell. I cant seem to hold it on for 10 minutes. I may just do it for shorter periods many many times a day.
If this works, Ill have saved $1100. Thats a very big deal. Scabbing sounds nasty but surgery/stitches would have caused 2 weeks of bruising regardless.
August 5, 2013 at 9:18 pm
dreamama
I too recently went for an evaluation with a surgeon and learned that removing all three will cost me $1,800. Interestingly enough, the surgeon herself encouraged me to explore home remedies, such as garlic. She said she was reluctant to advise surgery, even though she was the one who stood to benefit, because the recurrence rate for xanthelasma is so high. So, I guess it’s back to the garlic for me and, only if that doesn’t work, do I start saving the big bucks for surgery. Sigh. Keep you posted.
August 5, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Tarik
The garlic treatment definitely does work. Mine have almost gone using this approach. I would however recommend doing it the following way. Cut the garlic clove so it is exactly the same shape as the xanthelasma and no bigger otherwise the normal skin around it will really suffer and burn like hell. You should hold the garlic on the strip for up to 15 mins but this will vary according to how thick the xanthe is, it may be less for some. I would not hold it on for too long if the burning is acute. You can reapply a few hours later. Once you have done it, put some moisturiser on it and LEAVE IT ALONE. Do not do it again until it has healed over. I do not recommend doing it day in and day out. You will end up scarring yourself. Keep out of the sun too to allow it to heal. It will create a scab and once the scab comes off, then and only then do you go for the second treatment. Each time you do a treatment, a bit more will come off. You can do this as many times as necessary but as the xanthe gets smaller, it will be harder to avoid the normal areas. This is quite important because if you keep reapplying the garlic on normal skin, it may make the skin permanently sensitive though I haven’t experienced any lasting damage from it.
Once it has all healed over, a little sun and tanning can reintegrate the area on your face and people will hardly notice it. Hooray!
PS Yes I believe it does help to keep blood fats (triglycerides) down so worth keeping off the sugary carbs and getting ur xxxx down to the gym a bit more often. 🙂
August 6, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Lorelei
For those who have large raised xan that you can get a grip on (with tweezers or something). If you tie clear string (fish line) around it, tight as possible, it will fall off within about a week. Looks funny in the interim but I suppose not any worse than garlic. Had a dermatologist recommend it for skin tags and suggested it wound not be any worse than garlic for raised xan
August 29, 2013 at 10:28 am
Sara
I wish I had found this earlier! I am having mine surgically removed this afternoon! I am interested in the link between pregnancy/breastfeeding and these. I had them after I had my daughter 10 years ago but they went away on their own after I stopped breastfeeding her. They then reappeared after my son was born and have been steadily growing ever since. I am starting to think that it’s breastfeeding related as I haven’t stopped with him yet. I know this can’t be the only cause as there are men with them too but does anyone else fit with my theory or am I grasping at straws?! I’m thinking that if I’m paying for this surgery I need to stop breastfeeding, just in case there is a link.
August 30, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Sara
I had my surgery yesterday and have been pleasantly surprised at how well it’s gone so far. My eyes are sore, but not hugely so and the swelling isn’t too bad. I’ve been inspired to write my own blog about my xanth journey too as I live in the UK and most of the information I have found has been from the US and Australia. I’d still be interested in whether anyone else feels there is a pregnancy or breastfeeding link for them? Thanks for all the information on here, it’s been a huge help and inspiration. 🙂
October 16, 2013 at 5:55 pm
km
Hi Sara (et al!), It definitely seems like for some of us there is a link between hormones and the xanthelasma, because for several people the xanthelasma appeared shortly after pregnancy or menopause. The frustrating thing is that it is hard to tell what exactly it is about the pregnancy that is causing the xanthelasma. Pregnancy related hormones seem like an obvious culprit, but some have hypothesized that perhaps it was related to the drugs used during the labor/delivery. I personally wonder if perhaps the hormones of pregnancy are affecting yet another factor that is weighing in (cholesterol? vitamin D?). I also wonder if it has something to do with the birth control method that people use after giving birth.
I know lots of folks who post on here have had their cholesterol checked and it is normal or low (this includes me, although my HDL levels are a little on the low side too); however, I’m not sure how many of us had the opportunity to have our cholesterol levels checked during pregnancy or breastfeeding. I know I did not. I have read that cholesterol levels can be higher (10-50% higher) during pregnancy and breastfeeding (https://www.bcm.edu/research/centers/childrens-nutrition-research-center/consumer/archives/bcholesterol.htm), so perhaps there is still a cholesterol link (brought on by hormonal changes), even for those of us with supposedly normal cholesterol levels.
Also, I am the one who was questioning the potential role of Vitamin D earlier in this thread. I know that Vitamin D can be lower in pregnant and breastfeeding women (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101108161214.htm). This is of particular interest to me, because I suffered an autoimmune attack about five years ago, and Vitamin D is potentially linked to autoimmune diseases such as MS. I recently discovered that I have very low Vitamin D levels. Perhaps Vitamin D is the source of all my problems!
Just so you have another example to compare yourself to: I first noticed my xanthelasma 17 months after the birth of my first child, and 8 months after I stopped breastfeeding her. It grew for a year at the most, and then seems to have stopped growing (knock on wood). So for me it showed up after pregnancy/birth/breastfeeding, but not *immediately* after.
I am actually back on this message board now because I am pregnant with my second child, and I am trying to figure out if there is anything that I can do after the birth of my second child to keep the xanthelasma from growing. After my first child, I decided to use the Mirena IUD as my birth control method (it contains the hormone levonorgestrel). I am wondering if anyone else first noticed their xanthelasma while using the Mirena IUD. If so, I might choose to use orthotricyclen (contains the hormones ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate), which is what I used before I had my first child.
A big thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences! It is really helpful to hear what works/doesn’t work for folks, and to know that I am not alone.
September 23, 2013 at 6:36 pm
dreamama
Hello all you garlic users,
I have begun applying garlic to one of my xanthelasma (the small one above my right eye) and it doesn’t seem to be working! I applied it Thursday night for ten minutes, Friday for 15, Saturday for 30 and last night for about 15. It burns while I’m applying it, but so far there is only a slight redness around the lesion and a bit of swelling the day after application. It has not swelled up to the same degree as last time and it hasn’t scabbed. Can anyone offer some advice?
Thanks!
September 23, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Mandy
Hello Dreamama,
I am having good success with the garlic. So far I have done three treatments (although the first one was a “mild” one as I was learning); the lumps have been noticeably smaller and smoother each time. I have been leaving a LONG gap between treatments to give the surrounding skin time to recover, and also because we had social functions and then visitors, and you have to be prepared to look somewhat monstrous for a few days!
If you have the guts to put with the discomfort, you can crush the garlic before applying it. Yes, it does sting. I leave it on for AT LEAST fifteen minutes, usually longer. To distract myself from the physical sensation, I lie down and read a book. Honestly, the worst part was the first time, it wasn’t so much the pain, it was more worrying whether I was doing the right thing!
After application of the garlic, the skin just goes red. It doesn’t start scabbing up until the next day. You can accelerate this process by applying the garlic once in the morning and once in the afternoon on the same day, maybe you should try this, but crushing the garlic might be the thing that works for you; I always crush it now, just be prepared for strong feelings of discomfort.
By coincidence, I just started the most recent garlic treatment yesterday. I can see that I need another application of garlic today, but I think that will be enough to produce the scab. By the way, I don’t apply anything else, such as moisturiser, as I don’t want any barrier between the garlic and my skin.
Good luck; the key is to persevere, crush the garlic and increase the intensity if necessary. Keep us posted!
September 24, 2013 at 2:25 pm
dreamama
Oh, I’m definitely persevering! Today the skin around the xanth I’m treating is a bit dry and flaky, but so far no scab. It seems a little less yellow, but not flat yet. I guess I should just keep going? I will definitely try to crush the garlic next time (tonight). I tend to watch TV while I’m doing it. Amazing how slowly even an exciting show like Breaking Bad can creep by when you’ve got raw garlic attached to your eye lid!
Thanks for the input. Send healing thoughts my way and I’ll send them yours…
September 24, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Mandy
I am noticing that it is harder to get the scabbing response this time! Weird. I wonder if it becomes tougher with each treatment. I did a hard-core treatment with crushed garlic last night that really stung; the skin is red this morning, but not very swollen, and not a hint of a scab. I will do another treatment this morning…
September 25, 2013 at 12:13 am
dreamama
Sounds like many of us are having the same experience. How is it possible that it worked for so many people and now isn’t working for any of us? I guess I will muscle through it, although I have a touch of the flu and think I should wait a few days. Good luck to you.
September 25, 2013 at 12:18 am
Mandy
Thank-you! I am going to persevere because the benefits so far have been GREAT! Huge reduction, the lump is a shodow of its former self. Good luck to you, too!
September 24, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Jeffrey
I have also tried the garlic, both a week, 15 minutes a day. They got nice and red (which was a bit better than yellow xanth), but never scabbed.
I just assumed that I have very strong healing powers….
September 24, 2013 at 2:22 pm
dreamama
So…did they go away? I also am worried that mine aren’t scabbing, but can they go away without the scabbing?
September 24, 2013 at 11:36 pm
Jeffrey
No, they didn’t. I then went to a skin doctor looking for some kind of acid peal. She didn’t do that & suggested not touching them. I then went to a plastic surgeon, who said he would just cut them out. I didn’t want to because it’s costly & I already did that to one eye over a year ago. I now have 1 under each eye. Damn that xanthelasma.
September 24, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Joy
Be careful. I did get a reduction of my xanth the first time I did a garlic treatment. However, the second time, just a couple of months ago, I did not. In fact, the xanth spread outside the original size to fill in the area around it that had reddened from the garlic. I also couldn’t get a scab, just redness the second time around. I now have a xanth double the size. I will not touch it again.
September 25, 2013 at 12:10 am
dreamama
Oh no! I thought you were having such great luck with it. This is devastating. So sorry.
September 25, 2013 at 12:31 am
Joy
Thanks. I did have wonderful success the first time! However, in a few months it started to expand, which is why I tried it again. I’m back to square one and trying some supplements.
October 3, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Falling back into regular life | I Don't Have Time to Write This!
[…] Trying to burn off my ugly xanthelasma with garlic in front of the tube every […]
October 27, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Annadee
HI has anyone tried this US treatment XanthRemover (http://xanthelasmaremoval.com/contact-us/) ? It is a gel and I have read positive feedback for this stuff. Not cheap but cheaper than laser and no scarring.
In the meantime I am trying the garlic method. I am on day two, trying to do it 4 times a day, 15 minutes each time. It is very painful, swollen and red, but I am determined not to give up yet!
When I do it I cannot keep my eyes open otherwise they sting too! So I have a routine now. Get every thing ready, mirror, tweezers, and alarm clock set. Then once applied I sit in an armchair with the radio or MP3 player, and wait, and wait for the alarm to go…..
My xanths are under the eyes with one bit close to the inside of my eye. It started under my right eye 7 years ago, then under the left eye about a year later. My GP used acid under the first but while it zapped that xanth, it also produced a scar which was very fine at first but grew wider and then the xanth came back, growing around the scar! So no more acid for me.
He also sent me to see a specialist make up nurse at the hospital (long waiting list) but the product, which you can get on prescription (I am in the UK) is not hugely brilliant in the sense that it dries out fairly quickly and makes you look grey (tried different shades, same result). The fixing powder is worth keeping though for all those cover make up out there. I have since been using a blend of liquid foundations and cover stick. Not brilliant, brilliant either but a little better than the hosp stuff.
November 1, 2013 at 12:20 pm
aldonskoy
Quick update: I stopped after three days of “nothing happening” except for two extremely swollen and, by the end, blackish red areas under my eyes. I was worried about long term damage, especially since I have very sensitive skin. The day after I stopped, I noticed it started to flake all over.
We are now three days after I stopped and it kind of looks like, where the flakes have gone, that the xans are less visible at a rate of about 50%.
The areas are still very swollen and red. I have been applying Bio Oil and a special cream for burns to rehydrate the skin. I will next update when things have completely calmed down to take stock.
November 1, 2013 at 1:36 pm
dreamama
I had a very similar experience with the garlic. I used it for seven days, sometimes for up to half an hour. It burned and ultimately swelled up in a way that suggested an extreme allergic reaction. When I went to the health food store, the salesperson prescribed Quercetin, a natural allergy remedy, and asked me to please stop applying garlic to my face (it looked like I’d been beaten). So, I stopped and my xanth also flaked a lot and looked like it may have improved substantially. In the end, though, it is slightly less yellow (it’s sort of pink now, closer to my skin tone) and perhaps nominally flatter than it was. I’d say it improved by 15%. (Originally I’d also thought 50%.) I don’t think I’d use garlic again. I think I’m allergic to it and it didn’t work well enough to put myself through the discomfort again. I’m thinking of trying TCA next. Best of luck, y’all!
November 1, 2013 at 2:45 pm
aldonskoy
Hi thanks,
Yes, I’d say the beaten look is exactly how I would describe it….
What is TCA?
What was the Quercetin for?
Did you see my question about xanth remover?
Cheers
Anna (UK)
November 27, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Zaki De Luca
What about garlic pills gel?
November 1, 2013 at 2:52 pm
dreamama
Quercetin is apparently for allergies. I think it helped get the toxins out of my bod following the abuse by garlic. I’m still taking it. It’s several weeks later and that area of my face will still sometimes flare up, it’s awful!
Read this post and my other xanth post (Pesky Xanthelasma) for info about TCA, it’s an acid people use for chemical peels. If you use a 50% solution, apparently it burns the area like the garlic and can be quite effective. I posted a pic of one woman who used it who looks great. People have posted various results for the creams. Some forked out the money and said they had no effect. Others say it worked. I haven’t seen before and after pics or tried them myself so I can’t quite endorse them, but I am curious!
November 5, 2013 at 4:36 pm
aldonskoy
It has been a week since I stopped the garlic treatment (after 3 and a half days of doing it 4 times a day/15 min each time). I used Bio Oill the first day after I stopped and since I have been applying vitamin E oil (high concentrate). The vitamin E oil has had a dramatic effect in getting rid of the swelling and redness. I can now go out without looking like someone’s beaten me up!
As for my xanths: well now the flaking has stopped, it looks like about 50% have, if not disappeared, at least are truly far less visible. For me that’s progress.
In a few weeks, I will give the iodine drops/selenium tablets combo a go and see what happens. If I know it has half a chance of working I am happy to take my time with it. I am just a little concern about the staining from the iodine so I will do it when I know I don’t have to go out for a couple of days, just in case!
November 1, 2013 at 3:02 pm
aldonskoy
Thanks!
November 5, 2013 at 4:36 pm
aldonskoy
It has been a week since I stopped the garlic treatment (after 3 and a half days of doing it 4 times a day/15 min each time). I used Bio Oill the first day after I stopped and since I have been applying vitamin E oil (high concentrate). The vitamin E oil has had a dramatic effect in getting rid of the swelling and redness. I can now go out without looking like someone’s beaten me up!
As for my xanths: well now the flaking has stopped, it looks like about 50% have, if not disappeared, at least are truly far less visible. For me that’s progress.
In a few weeks, I will give the iodine drops/selenium tablets combo a go and see what happens. If I know it has half a chance of working I am happy to take my time with it. I am just a little concern about the staining from the iodine so I will do it when I know I don’t have to go out for a couple of days, just in case!
November 6, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Sam
I would love to hear more about the iodine/selenium tablets combo!? Haven’t heard of this one! Thanks
November 6, 2013 at 3:52 pm
aldonskoy
Scroll up and you will bump into Anik’s post on the topic (Jan 2013). She has tried it.
November 6, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Sam
Thanks heaps 🙂
November 28, 2013 at 3:10 pm
M. Green
I just want to say how well you write and how thankful I am for to being able to find this to read. I’m a sufferer and I will be trying some of these things.
December 7, 2013 at 1:06 pm
mariela
Hiiii. i totally inderstand uu.. i wanto lose weight and i have two small kifs. but not eating is soo hard. the lemonade is ok but the salty water no.. and i had to eat at keast some cucumber or tomatoes because i ot a book that said theyr full or water so i can have them too. at tge begining i felt good but 4 days later.. im feeling bad and with no energy. im just going to try to make it until the 10. day. and see how i can go from there.
December 7, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Sillira
Hi everyone
For garlic users…this is my third day of 2xper day for 10 min. every time I apply the garlic it seems to burn a little more than the previous treatment (it’s nothing I can’t handle though). But I’m kinda freaking out…so far the only changes are that the xanths are raised (more than prior to applying the garlic) and a little bumpier…and redder. The redness I expect but the raised and cauliflower increase is kinda freaking me out. Did this happen to anyone else? I’ve had no other swelling… just the xanths themselves. Please someone tell me that this is just part of the process and that I”m not making them worse! Thank you so much
December 8, 2013 at 12:14 pm
aldonskoy
Hi Sillira, I tried the garlic method, four times a day, 15 minutes each and lasted 4 days. I did get what you call the cauliflower effect (very accurate!) and that was part of the swelling.
I stopped because of the redness mainly and the lack of scabbing that others had reported as being a sign of “something happening”. Some flaking started afterwards but it did not bring any positive changes. The redness took about two weeks to disappear, using a burns/baby rash cream and Vitamin E oil about 2 to 3 times a day. I looked very glowy!).
I think the issue with this method, or any other method probably, is that it is impossible to predict what kind of reaction our skin will “produce”. That may also depend on whether you have sensitive skin or not. I do.
I used the garlic method because I have been (still am) rather desperate after many years of this stuff under my eyes. However I won’t use it again. The garlic juice effectively creates a form of burns which is not something to be taken likely. I think the risks are too high for the return, which has been minimal in my case: the xans are only a little less visible under one eye (but only I know that). For sure, I do envy those for whom this has worked.
January 9, 2014 at 6:35 am
Matt
Found the site doing research for my own little monsters, however mine are new and still small. Hoping to keep them under some sort of control. Anyway although my colesterol levels are in the ‘normal’ range this article has me a bit worried. Its a new study by University of Copenhagen, etc. http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/yellow-patches-around-eyelids-predict-heart-disease Not too encouraging for the long run. Of course the biggest question remains elusive….what are the factors that cause this? This is happening to both men and women so breastfeeding, pregnancy and menopause cannot be the common issue. At a loss here….
Anyone still coming here? Looks like its been a month since the last posting by anyone.
January 9, 2014 at 8:09 am
dreamama
Hi there,
There’s also quite a bit of activity in the comments of the post “pesky xanthelasma.” Good luck!
January 13, 2014 at 10:52 pm
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February 7, 2014 at 10:14 pm
tim
Has anyone tried xanithrecover gel? It is $300 us for 8oz.
February 7, 2014 at 10:16 pm
tim
That is XanithRemover gel? Please share your results – thanks.
April 30, 2014 at 4:05 am
thisoneduderino
HI. New here. Great thread.
Ok had xanth’s on both upper eyelids close to nose bridge, each about the size of your baby fingernail — flat for the most part but yellowy so noticeable .
I am on day two of garlic – 15 x 2 a day. I’m going to put Vit E oil on it.
I’ve had them for about 3 years and they appeared rather suddenly. No idea why. ( I was 36) – coincidentally I also developed “adenomyosis” (when the uterine wall grows into muscle causing majorly heavy menstrual cycle) that same year.
Chloresterol levels are a tiny bit high on bad, a tiny bit low on good. He offered statins but I chose not to take them. I now do 40 mins cardio 5x a week and am doing the Isagenix 30 day cleanse (to lose weight and get fit)
OH, 3 years ago when they first appeared i tried a slice of raw garlic on one eye — it swelled up, went red, then scabbed. (this after one 10 min treatment! LOL) anyhow, afterwards the xanth was flatter, less yellow, and slightly different in shape (honestly it looked like a thin slice had been cut out of it so it’s not a circle)
Anyhow this time so far just a bit of burning and rawness and redness. No swelling or anything.
I’ll update later.
(oh, my dad had little xanthes on his lower lid – turned out he had high chloresterol and he got on statins and they went away)
April 30, 2014 at 4:08 am
thisoneduderino
OK well i had the garlic on while i was typing. Just went to remove it and i was also able to peel off a thin layer of skin — AND a tiny bit of yellow gunk (the fat) from right next to where the “slice” mark is from the last attempt (guess the skin is thinner there or the fat is closer to the surface)
The other side also was able to remove a thin layer of skin. I cut and crushed another piece of garlic and immediately re-applied to both areas for five more minutes (as i hoped to make some progress while the fat is seemingly more exposed, before scabbing)
Both are red as hell and a little “dotty” (dots of deeper red)
I then cleaned with warm water and applied Vitamin E oil.
I notice if i crush the garlic before applying it seems to work better.
I’ll update tomorrow
May 5, 2014 at 1:49 am
thisoneduderino
HI To whoever is following. Ok – update: In all I used the garlic for four days. I would hold the garlic on and i mean PRESS IT IN – hard- and hold it there for about 20 mins on average, 2 x a day. Each time, i’d peel off any skin that was burning off , and also some yellow gunk — exposing after day two the fat and then just re-apply the garlic. By day four it was stinging real bad while i did it but i was relentless. Day five i allowed it to scab up and today is day six or seven, lost count. Scabs are dark but are crumbling off bit by bit. I can see already that the xangth’s are smaller and flatter but i won’t really be able to tell until the scabs are fully off. It looks like it’s made quite a dent in them , from what i can tell.
My tips: -use fresh garlic and press it in hard.
-don’t get scared off
-peel off what will come off and keep at ‘er for a good few days
-USE VITAMIN E OIL. I use it during the day then at night wash my face and let the scabs dry over night. (if you keep it totally wet with Vit. E oil, i dont know if the scabs will form properly)
I’ll update in a few days when these scabs are gone.
I *think* — that if garlic doesn’t work it’s because ppl are too freaked out to really push through the process. You have to break down the layers of skin and when the fat is exposed, KEEP GOING! at least for a few days.
ok update later.
May 8, 2014 at 9:30 am
Rachel
I just wanted to update, I got mine removed in November and am really happy with it. I got it done by laser, after it healed I noticed she missed some, so I went back and she got the rest off, then I noticed the same thing on the other eye so and she said wait 6 mo for some reason so I’m going back next week to get that removed. She said it’s common to miss some, which I can see, because as soon as you start removing it, it bleeds, so you can miss some close to where you’re lasering.
I don’t know if I will show up as I did before, but I’m in the UK, I started getting the xanthelasma after I had my first daughter, then it stopped growing after a year, very tiny, Then after my second daughter it grew to about 1cm under each eye and also stopped after a year. So, that’s my story! The treatment only cost £500, which I saved up for and seemed a good deal for changing my life and self image!
Oh, and I think since I’ve been out in the sun a lot, even though it’s been months of healing, where the xanth used to be is now sort of while looking, I guess it’s not tanning, but I would much rather have white than bright orange!!!
May 8, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Jeffrey
I had one of mine removed surgically, but they grew back. I certainly would rather have the light colored scar then the yellow colored xanth, but I’m wondering if laser (since I can’t find anyone who does that in my area of the US) leaves exactly the same kind of scar that cutting them out would leave (which all the doctors tell me is my only hope). I tried the garlic, and it never helped (even though I did it 3 times a day for a week, and I didn’t stop even when it hurt).
June 5, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Fernando
thisoneduderino I’m so intrigued! What happened after a month? And BTW, so many thanks to everybody, this thread is so useful…
When I decide which way to go (garlic or trichloroacetic acid) I’ll post the experience here.
August 18, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Wendy
Hi Dreamama, how is your trial with garlic? Has it worked for you? Have you tried the TCA method? Does it work for you?
I read up 2 posts on using castor oil in band aide to place on the xanthelasma spot and both cases seem to be working well. I have added their link and posts below fyi… I have just bought the castor oil and would be trying out tonight. Hope it works and removes the ‘ugly patch’ on my eye!
One post is from Carol:
http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/conditions/xanthelasma/
“I have been using caster oil every night in a band aide placed in the spot. In about 2 weeks it is about half the size. I tried garlic and tsa peel and both burned and did not work. The caster oil seems to be working. I’ve heard it takes about a month to totally remove it.”
Another post is from Abisomeone:
http://kindredofthequietway.blogspot.sg/2014/03/removal-of-xanthelasma-health-post-not.html
“I didn’t know the term, but I had one under my eye (I didn’t document the process)…and I used castor oil (food grade) to remove it.
I also have used castor oil in my eyes to help with corneal dryness during sleep, so no worries about getting it in my eyes.
Anyway, I just put a drop on a tiny square bandaid and covered it. New one every morning and at bedtime. Not an ounce of pain…it slowly shrank over about a month and disappeared without a trace!”
December 10, 2014 at 4:57 pm
dreamama
Just wanted to let you all know I posted an update with photos!
March 6, 2020 at 1:22 am
KIM
I too have this horrible yellowish bump under my eye. It started out small then got bigger. My cholesterol is under control with meds but still this blob is there…. now starting under my other eye as well. It is frustrating and embarrassing. People tell me to rub my makeup in better or what is that? I hate it!!!! I feel people looking at it / them too. 😦
January 20, 2021 at 7:29 pm
Ann
Hi,
Ran across your post. Did anything help? 😅🙏🏼
January 20, 2021 at 7:40 pm
dreamama
Read through the various posts! I had success with Wartner’s gel pen and almost every day since have taken the Weleda supplement Hepatodoron. So far so good! There’s a slightly puffy area over one eye I pray doesn’t develop into a new xanth, but you never know. You’ll find all kinds of ideas in the blog. Best of luck!!
January 27, 2021 at 11:07 pm
Ann
Hi! I can’t find the product anywhere. Only on eBay. Where did you purchase Wartner’s gel pen? I have read all the above responses.
Thanks!
January 27, 2021 at 11:42 pm
dreamama
I got it on Amazon, but there seem to be different versions now. The Verruca Removal Pen and wart and verruca remover looks similar to the one I used.
January 28, 2021 at 3:21 am
Ann
Thank you and God bless ya!
May this be a healing year for us all! ❤️
October 16, 2023 at 8:49 pm
Cynthia
Did anyone find something that works to get rid of xanthelasmas? I’m so embarrassed of mine.