“Lump under the skin” and “wen” - this is not exactly how we call atheroma. However, it is almost impossible to independently determine atheroma. Therefore, in order to eliminate the risk of more serious neoplasms, it is recommended to visit a surgeon with any unexpectedly “grown” lump under the skin.
No need to worry. Atheroma - benign formation
, which in itself does not pose a serious threat to the body.
But despite all its harmlessness, atheroma requires mandatory removal
. Paradox? Not at all!
Let's take a closer look at why.
Is it necessary to remove atheroma if it is harmless?
- All atheromas are continuously growing
. And in some cases - extremely quickly. If the atheroma is not removed on time (that is, as early as possible), it becomes larger and larger, sometimes reaching gigantic proportions! Medicine knows of atheromas the size of a child’s head.
- As the atheroma grows, it becomes visible to the naked eye. And if atheroma on the body can be hidden for a long time under clothing, ugly bumps on the face and head arouse the morbid curiosity of others.
- The contents of atheroma often leak out, ruin clothes and have an extremely unpleasant odor that cannot be masked.
- Atheroma is a chronic inflammatory lesion that has negative health consequences. Do you often get colds, get tired, want to sleep, and find it difficult to stand 8 hours at work? All these symptoms are her work.
- The larger the atheroma reaches, the wider the incision is required to remove it. The more difficult it is to hide the scar and skin sagging.
- The contents of atheroma are sebum. This is a delicious delicacy for bacteria. Accumulating sebum, atheroma grows and gradually turns into a time bomb. Infection in the atheroma guarantees the development of purulent inflammation
.
Removing pus from the atheroma will require a large incision, which will leave behind a scar. But greater operational access to atheroma is not the only consequence of suppuration. Such an area rarely heals beautifully, and a painful keloid scar often forms in place of the inflamed atheroma.
The Platinental Clinic offers all the most modern methods for removing atheromas:
- without pain,
- without seams,
- replenishment of tissue volume after removal of atheroma,
- numerous techniques for forming invisible scars.
You can make an appointment with a surgeon online or by phone.
Classification
In practical dermatology, two classifications are used: according to the type of structure of capsule cells (histological) and according to the type of formation. Practitioners mainly use the second one. There are:
- Congenital (or primary) atheromas, the formation of which is caused by congenital changes in the ducts. The size of such formations is up to 0.5 cm, they are multiple and are detected soon after the birth of the child.
- Acquired (or secondary) atheromas develop in initially unchanged gland ducts in people with skin damage or impaired sebum production. The size of cysts can reach several centimeters. As a rule, they are single.
Photos "before" - "after"
Removal of a large lipoma. There is no need to wait and grow a lipoma to a large size; a small lipoma is easier to remove and the operation is less traumatic. Performed by surgeon: Gladysheva Vladislava.
Surgical removal of back atheroma. “Before” and on the 8th day after surgery: the suture is removed. Surgeon - Vasiliev Maxim.
Answers to frequently asked questions
- Is there a risk of atheroma reappearing?
Yes, even a small number of surviving cells can give rise to the appearance of a new cyst.
- What does a postoperative scar look like? Is it possible to avoid it?
Minimal scars are formed after surgery using radio wave radiation. In second place is the argon plasma method. After these interventions, there may be no scars at all. Traditional surgery leaves noticeable scars.
- How to prevent atheroma?
There are no specific methods of prevention. It is important to control hormonal levels, maintain hygiene, and avoid skin injury.
- What is the difference between atheroma and lipoma?
Lipoma is located in the thickness of the fatty tissue, it is caused by excessive growth of connective tissue and is a benign tumor.
- Can the process become malignant?
No, such cases are excluded, this is not a precancerous disease.
- Can cyst destruction occur on its own?
No, this is impossible, atheroma cannot resolve, it remains unchanged for a long time.
- Is a surgeon required to operate on non-inflammatory atheroma?
Services under the compulsory medical insurance policy may not provide for the removal of non-inflammatory atheroma. The solution is to undergo surgery in a private clinic or wait for inflammation to develop, which does not guarantee the absence of a cosmetic defect after the intervention.
- What are the consequences of self-squeezing atheroma?
The cyst is usually located in areas of intense blood circulation, so there is a high risk of infection spreading to the brain through the blood vessels if bacteria gets into the wound. You cannot squeeze out the cyst - you need to seek qualified medical help.
Author of the article:
Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich |
Ph.D. surgeon, phlebologist Education: Moscow State Medical and Dental University (1996). In 2003, he received a diploma from the educational and scientific medical center for the administration of the President of the Russian Federation. Our authors
Why should atheromas be removed by a doctor?
It is believed that atheroma can be squeezed out on its own, just like a comedone. In fact, this will not solve the problem, even if the atheroma is small.
Firstly, after self-removal, a large and extremely noticeable depression remains on the skin. Secondly, your efforts were in vain: in a few weeks a new one will “grow” in the same place - or rather, the old atheroma will be filled with sebum.
This is because atheromas have a specific structure - they are always surrounded by two capsules. The first is the atheroma’s own capsule, in which its contents are packed, like a bag. The second capsule is external. It separates the atheroma from the tissues surrounding it.
If the atheroma capsule is not removed or at least a tiny fragment of its shell remains under the skin, this 100% guarantees the appearance of a new atheroma in the same place in the future. Hence the myth about its incurability.
In fact, you can get rid of atheroma. It is important to choose the right specialist.
“Before” and on the 12th day after removal of myofibrolipoma of the forehead area. Tips&tricks on the forehead for faster resolution of swelling. Surgeon Vladislav Gladysheva.
Causes
The development of atheromas is noted in every tenth adult, mainly at a young age (up to 35 years), equally often in both sexes. Epithelial cysts develop when difficulties form for the release of secretions - narrowing or blockage of the excretory duct of the gland. Their reasons are as follows:
- congenital structural features of the glands, in which case the formations are detected immediately after birth;
- violation of the desquamation of keratinized skin cells, with the mouth of the gland being blocked completely or partially;
- excessive sebum production due to hormonal imbalances or psychosomatic disorders;
- mechanical damage to the skin: it has been noticed that atheromas often form in areas of scars after burns or frostbite;
- insufficient hygiene.
What kind of doctor is needed to remove atheroma correctly?
This should not be a dermatologist (cosmetologist).
Why? Simply because a large atheroma is a subcutaneous formation. And everything that is under the skin is beyond their competence.
Why is a surgeon needed?
Because the atheroma needs to be removed, and completely removed, 100%. Only surgery is a guarantee against relapse.
Why do you need a plastic surgeon?
Because after removing the atheroma using the classical technique, an unsightly recess and scar remains under the skin.
At Platinental, plastic elements are used in the process of removing atheroma. The subcutaneous tissue is moved so that the area where the atheroma was previously located is 100% aligned with the healthy surface of the skin.
How atheroma is removed at the Platinental clinic
Platinental doctors have all the latest methods for removing atheroma in their arsenal. Depending on the indications, we use the following methods:
- surgical excision with a scalpel. In our work, we use tools made in Europe and the USA: their graphite nanospraying prevents the formation of scars;
- removal of atheroma using the radio wave method;
- laser removal of atheromas.
Expert opinion
“It is worth noting that not a single scheme of these three
cannot be considered worse or better than another.
The main task of the surgeon is to use one method or another to ensure a neat incision and completely remove the atheroma from under the skin without damaging it. The technique is chosen individually each time.
Specialized plastic surgery centers such as Platinental offer not only painless removal with a variety of methods to choose from.
Modern techniques allow me to do without stitches at all in 90% of cases.
«.
Maxim Vasiliev, plastic surgeon.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made by a dermatologist, surgeon or general practitioner. Most often, a general examination is sufficient for diagnosis, since the appearance of the formation has characteristic features.
In rare cases, for differential diagnosis with other benign formations - fibroma, lipoma, hygroma - ultrasound is recommended. This reveals a dense capsule and liquid contents of the cyst.
Since the risk of atheroma degenerating into a malignant tumor is extremely low, a biopsy is usually not recommended. After its removal, a histological examination of the capsule can be performed. The result takes 10-14 days to prepare.
We not only know how to remove atheroma correctly. We do it WITHOUT SCARS!
It is not enough to remove atheroma. We need to make sure that nothing reminds us of its existence.
. Especially when it comes to removing atheroma on the face or head.
Exclusive multi-stage seam processing
in “Platinental”, allows you to achieve the formation of a thin and invisible scar after surgery:
- The minimum necessary incisions in the natural folds hide the very fact of the surgeon’s intervention.
- special adhesive strips
match the edges of the wound without suturing
- application of special medical glue protects the wound from germs, eliminates the need for daily dressings and creates a favorable microclimate for fast and beautiful healing.
- When removing large atheromas, special multi-layered
self-absorbing sutures are applied.
This technique allows you to raise the seam level with healthy tissue
and form
an invisible scar
.
- sutures placed in Platinental heal very quickly and are extremely comfortable to wear: you can shower the very next day after the operation.
By following the recommendations for care after removal of atheroma, you can be sure that no one will suspect the fact of surgical intervention.
Scar after removal of atheroma on the head. Performed by surgeon: Maxim Vasiliev.
Sources of development
Common causes of atheroma formation are presented:
- hereditary predisposition;
- metabolic disorders at the cellular level;
- deviations in hormonal balance - changes in the content of estrogen, testosterone during gestation, menopause, during puberty or against the background of using hormonal drugs over a long period of time;
- stress – psycho-emotional instability leads to active production of sebum;
- increased sweating and violations of personal hygiene rules, the use of decorative cosmetics that cause allergies or other reactions;
- abuse of cosmetic procedures or the use of techniques that aggressively affect the condition of the epidermis;
- pinpoint damage to the sebaceous gland during the removal of acne and pimples;
- violations of the microbial composition of the skin;
- inflammatory processes in the dermis, including acne or rosacea;
- unfavorable influence of the external environment or working conditions.
These sources increase the risk of atheroma formation. The pathological process occurs only with prolonged effects on the dermis and sebaceous glands.
