Wen are various skin and subcutaneous formations that either consist of adipose tissue or contain sebum. Milia are a type of wen. They are white, dense pimples that are located on the surface of the skin. Typically, the diameter of such formations does not exceed 3 mm. Milia appear in people of all ages. Often such lumps are diagnosed in newborns, during puberty, as well as in adults against the background of hormonal imbalances, stress or problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Rice. 1. Milium looks like a wen on the skin.
Varieties of wen
In medicine, a wen is called a lipoma. This benign formation, which consists of fat cells, affects the surface of the skin. Externally, lipomas are dense tubercles of a yellowish or white hue. Single specimens do not cause concern to humans (except for the aesthetic side). If there are a lot of them on the face, they can cause pain.
Wen can form on the neck, around the eyes, on the chin, near the lips, on the nose, on the ear.
There are many types of lipomas. However, the main ones, most often found on the face, are xanthelasma and milia (millet).
Xanthelasmas are soft, yellowish formations. Their basis is sebum. They can have different sizes and arbitrary shapes. Mostly they pop out on the eyelids. They are mainly concerned about women over 50 years of age. Capable of growing, connecting with neighboring formations.
Milia are small white nodules that protrude above the epidermis. They are formed from horny particles and subcutaneous fat. Can be observed in both adults and infants. In most cases, the skin on the cheeks, chin, and wings of the nose is affected. There are both single and multiple rashes.
They do not cause discomfort and are classified as a cosmetic defect.
Associated symptoms
The neoplasm can appear regardless of age and gender. It looks like a small capsule containing pathologically altered adipose tissue.
The wen can move a small distance under mechanical influence. But when it stops, it occupies its previous location. The skin around the tumor remains unchanged, there are no pathological changes. Adjacent soft tissues do not grow together, and inflammation occurs in rare cases.
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The wen increases in size slowly. May go away on its own. But when an infection occurs, inflammation and suppuration occur.
Causes of lipomas
The true causes of rashes are not fully understood. They are formed in males and females of different ages.
However, there is an assumption that wen is formed due to the impact on fat metabolism of factors such as:
- High levels of cholesterol in the blood or lipid metabolism problems. Excess cholesterol makes subcutaneous fat more viscous, which leads to blockage of the sebaceous ducts and accumulation of fat in the epidermis.
- Genetic predisposition. In the human body, from birth, uncharacteristic fat cells are formed, which contribute to the further appearance of lipomas. Transmission of the corresponding gene occurs according to the autosomal dominant type.
- Disruptions in the endocrine system. Hormonal imbalances contribute to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat in different parts of the body.
- Kidney and liver diseases. These organs are responsible for hematopoiesis, removal of toxins and excess water. Failures in their activity can lead to the formation of lipomas.
- Aggressive exposure to ultraviolet rays for a long time.
- Menopause, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases.
- Neglect of personal hygiene rules.
- Bad habits (drinking alcohol, fatty and sweet foods).
People with combination and oily skin types are at risk.
In 50% of cases, a sharp increase in lipomas on the face signals a weakened immune system and the presence of chronic illnesses. Improper facial care, in addition to lipomas, can provoke the formation of acne. This factor accounts for 25% of cases.
Reviews
The topic can be summarized with reviews from people who have encountered the problem discussed and successfully dealt with it.
SVETLANA, 33 YEARS OLD:
“When I noticed a small scattering of small white growths near my eyes, I was very upset.
Knowing that it was dangerous to touch them yourself, I decided to undergo laser intervention. After consultation with a specialist and passing the relevant tests, the procedure was carried out.
Everything went quickly and successfully - the method is truly effective and safe.”
OLGA, 34 YEARS OLD:
“Once I discovered a small pimple on my forehead that did not heal for a long time.
I was afraid to do anything with it on my own and turned to a surgeon for advice. It turned out that it was a wen. Recommendations for laser therapy were given.
The operation took place under local anesthesia and lasted literally a quarter of an hour. As a result, not even a trace was left on the skin.”
Diagnosis and treatment of lipomas
To find out the cause of the formation of wen, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
The therapist collects the necessary information, after which, together with the dermatologist and surgeon, a visual examination of the patient is carried out.
Next, the formations are palpated, and if necessary (suspicion of a malignant nature), a histological examination is prescribed, which involves taking tissue for a biopsy.
Additionally, specialists may recommend ultrasound, MRI, CT, etc. It is important to distinguish lipomas from conditions such as lymphadenitis, hygroma, atheroma, etc. Only after this the doctor determines the tactics for further action.
Treatment methods for lipomas are varied:
- Medication. It involves the use of creams and ointments that help soften the tissues of the epidermis, as well as improve blood circulation. The advantage of this option is that when using local drugs, the likelihood of side effects is minimal. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the result will only be for small-sized wen (no more than 3 cm).
- Surgical intervention. Microsurgery can be performed using either local or general anesthesia. It depends on the location of lipomas. This technique is used in the case of tumors whose size exceeds 3 cm. It is important that after the operation, relapse in this area is excluded.
- Laser. Before the laser procedure, a tissue biopsy must be performed. The removal process is quick. After it there are almost no scars left. In addition, re-growth of wen is excluded.
- Electrocoagulation. Performed under local anesthesia. No regrowth is observed after this procedure.
- Puncture-aspiration method. This option is suitable for combating incompletely formed lipomas, when it is possible to suck out the fat with a needle without damaging the skin. It is painless, but has a significant drawback: there is a high probability of new lipomas forming in place of the removed ones. In addition, the devastated area of skin sags, which does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
- Chemical peeling. The ducts are deeply cleansed of sebaceous plugs. Relapses are excluded.
Medicinal ointments
In the early stages, when the wen on the face is still small, you can get rid of it at home, by using such remedies as decoctions, masks and compresses. It is possible to use alcohol tinctures, for example salicylic alcohol, as well as iodine (apply pointwise). But you need to remember that if the problem concerns the eyelid or eye, then these products are prohibited from being used.
It is also impossible to squeeze out lipomas in these places, as you may lose your vision. You can get rid of tumors in the facial area using various ointments.
Vishnevsky ointment
It contains castor oil (base), tar and xeroform. A small amount of ointment is squeezed onto a medium-sized piece of gauze and applied to the affected area for 12 hours.
The procedure is carried out for 3 days, rest for 2 days. The result is that the contents are pulled out. Moreover, this remedy helps not only in the initial stages, but also when the disease is already advanced.
Vitaon
This product contains:
- thyme;
- chamomile;
- mint;
- fennel;
- celandine;
- sagebrush.
This tandem of medicinal herbs is an excellent alternative to Vishnevsky ointment. The product has no contraindications. Effectively draws out the contents without leaving scars or marks on the skin.
Ichthyol ointment and Levomekol
They also have the property of drawing the contents of the capsule to the surface.
Badyaga
It can be used as an independent product or as part of various ointments and balms. Has a healing, anti-inflammatory effect. Due to its healing properties, it is used as a prophylaxis for a large number of diseases, as well as after surgical operations. This product is made from animal ingredients.
Has a warming effect. When used in the head area, you should be extremely careful, since one of the side effects is hyperthermia. In addition, experts advise using medications such as Happyderm, Levosin and Actovegin to treat wen.
How to make a cream based on pharmaceutical ointments
At home, you can make a cream based on ointments sold in pharmacies. To do this, you need to take Vishnevsky and Ichthyol ointment in equal quantities. Mix well and add a few drops of aloe juice. Apply several times a day until the lipoma comes out.
Prevention
You can reduce the risk of developing wen if you adhere to certain points:
- giving up bad habits;
- maintaining a healthy diet;
- regular hygiene;
- use of exclusively high-quality cosmetics;
- periodic examinations by a dermatologist.
If the precautions still prove to be insufficient and wen forms, you need to seek professional help from a specialist. You cannot pierce or squeeze out lipomas yourself, as this can lead to blood poisoning (due to infection), scars, etc. Only a doctor can determine the nature of the tumor and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
Benefits of using a laser
It is worth immediately highlighting the advantages of laser therapy:
- painlessness;
- minimal risk of possible relapse;
- absence of scars, cicatrices and swelling after surgery;
- short duration of the session – maximum 30 minutes;
- no side effects;
- The patient is monitored on an outpatient basis;
- short rehabilitation period.
As a result of such an effect, the wen disappears without a trace.
Expert opinion
- Cosmetologist
- Surgeon
Michelle Ellern
practicing cosmetologist-dermatologist
When deciding to remove lipomas with a laser, it is advisable to choose a medical institution where such operations are performed by professional surgeons. To do this, a statistical analysis is carried out on available reviews on the Internet and other resources. It is better if these are recommendations from friends who have already used the services of a particular clinic. Cost plays a role, but not the key one – health is more important.
Theda Contis
plastic surgeon
White fatty formations on the epidermis of the face (with the exception of the eye area) can be carefully removed by yourself by piercing with a needle and squeezing out. Only for this purpose certain safety measures are followed - the instrument, the place of planned manipulations and hands are thoroughly disinfected with alcohol. After removing the contents, be sure to treat the wound with an antiseptic.
Wen causes aesthetic discomfort, especially on the face. As a result, a person may begin to develop complexes. You shouldn’t put up with this, because there is more than one option for removing a wen.
