A fatty tissue is nothing more than a lipoma. A lipogenic tumor can occur in both a baby aged 3 months and older, as well as in an older child. This tumor consists of adipose tissue. It occurs more often in children than in adults. In this article we will explain what a wen is in a child and when you should consult a doctor. It will also be described why this formation can be dangerous, how doctors treat it, and whether it is necessary to treat the lipoma yourself.
If you are looking for an answer to the question: how to get rid of a wen in a child, then this article will help clarify the main points that are worth paying attention to.
Lipogenic tumors are benign; they contain connective tissue inside. The formation is located in the subcutaneous layer of connective tissue, and can also be found in muscle tissue. It is, in principle, harmless, but often looks unaesthetic in appearance. For example, a wen on a child’s face looks like a defect in appearance, even if it does not pose a danger. The tumor is more common in girls than in boys because males have less fatty tissue. A wen can grow at any age. If it appears immediately after the birth of the child - after 3 months - or within 5 years of the baby’s life, then this means that the pathology is congenital. Another feature of the tumor is that if it gets cold, the formation will become inflamed and pus will appear in it. In this case, the child will have unpleasant painful sensations. Of course, in this case, a visit to the doctor is mandatory.
Description of the disease
Atheroma is one of the relatively harmless tumors due to the fact that it does not transform into a malignant neoplasm.
However, there is a risk of significant increase in size, so medical attention is required in all cases. Teenage children are more likely to experience this problem. Boys and girls get sick about the same. The main reason why parents first turn to a surgeon is the presence of a visually noticeable tumor.
The atheroma itself is a small capsule filled with pasty contents. It is sebum, which, due to blockage of one or more glands, did not come out, but remained in the subcutaneous tissue.
What does a wen look like?
The formation is not very large in size, usually no larger than a match head. However, the tumor tends to grow. Over time, as the lipoma becomes larger, it will interfere with the blood supply to the tissues and organs in the place where it is located. The wen looks like a small lump on the skin. There is a wen on a child’s cheek, on the face in general, on the head, neck, and shoulders. It can also occur on the lower extremities. For example, on the legs or thighs. There can even be a wen on a child’s eyelid, so for many parents the issue of eliminating the pathology in the most gentle way is important. Methods for treating wen will be discussed further. For now, let’s talk about the appearance of the tumor and what it resembles. It is also worth mentioning the internal structure of education.
If the lipoma is on the outside rather than the inside, it may be easier to recognize. This formation has the following properties:
- mobility;
- softness, elasticity;
- no fusion with the skin;
- if the lipoma is large, then it may have a lobular structure;
- tumor size 1.5-10 centimeters;
- education does not hurt or cause concern;
- if the wen is small, then it has a round or oval shape.
The inside of the tumor looks like this. It is made up of adult fat cells that are similar to the other fat cells around. The cells of the formation are connected into small lobules; these lobules are covered with a dense capsule.
Wen can appear where there is no adipose tissue. This phenomenon is an ectopia. This is how congenital tumors usually arise.
The appearance of a wen is a small lump under the skin, which is usually not uncomfortable. However, there are situations when you should see a specialist. Next we will talk about such cases.
Symptoms of atheroma in children
In 80-85% of cases, apart from the visual defect, children do not present any other complaints. Uncomplicated atheroma is characterized by:
- painlessness;
- mobility;
- elasticity upon palpation.
The skin over the surface of the tumor is smooth and does not fold. The clinical picture may change when the contents of the atheroma become inflamed against the background of the addition of bacterial flora. In this case, patients may note:
- pain when pressed;
- redness and increase in size of the tumor itself;
- local increase in body temperature.
If the above symptoms occur, you should immediately seek help.
This situation threatens the penetration of infection into nearby tissues and blood with the spread of microorganisms to distant areas of the body and can cause a deterioration in the general condition of the child. Atheromas occur in areas of the skin that are rich in sebaceous glands. Therefore, they especially often have the following localization:
- scalp;
- face and neck area;
- shoulder girdle, armpit area;
- back.
Neoplasms occur less frequently in the groin area and scrotum (in boys). In these areas they have the appearance of a skin growth and require differential diagnosis with other skin tumors.
Localization of wen
Where do children usually develop wen? They can also occur on internal organs, but this is rare. Tumors grow under the skin, in muscle tissue, and in places above the bone tissue. Although lipoma is called a wen, it itself, as a rule, is located where there is almost no fat. Most often, a child has only one wen. However, if more than one of them is detected, then a diagnosis of lipomatosis is made.
Most often, formations are localized on:
- head and neck;
- face and back;
- shoulders and legs.
Causes of atheroma in children
Atheromas in children occur due to a violation of the secretion of sebum by the corresponding glands.
When the excretory duct is blocked, the secretion of the gland has nowhere to go. It is secreted into the subcutaneous space, where a dense capsule is formed around it. Common causes of atheroma development in children are as follows:
- Using children's cosmetics (creams, ointments, moisturizing masks) in excessive quantities. Sometimes parents, in an effort to protect their child’s skin from harmful external factors, use cosmetic products uncontrollably. This leads to dysfunction of the sebaceous glands with blockage of their excretory ducts.
- Hormonal changes in the child's body. Infants and teenage children are traditionally at risk. It is during these periods that changes in the concentration of sex hormones occur. Against this background, acne appears, the function of the sebaceous glands is disrupted, and conditions are created for their blockage.
- Seborrhea. This is a dermatological disease that leads to dysfunction of the sebaceous glands in a certain area of the skin.
- Genetic predisposition or congenital structural features of the skin. Atheromas most often occur in children after 3 years of age. If neoplasms are detected in children immediately after birth, the doctor may assume the presence of problems with the sebaceous glands that developed in utero.
In addition, factors that increase the risk of developing atheromas are poor personal hygiene, metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes) and frequent mechanical damage to the skin.
Why is it dangerous?
As a rule, wen is not dangerous to children's health. However, depending on its location, certain problems may arise.
Thus, when a formation forms in the scalp area, there is a risk of damage, against which an inflammatory process or suppuration may begin to develop.
If the abdomen becomes the localization site, then the appearance of an abscess cannot be ruled out.
Large lipomas can cause sepsis and mental disorders.
Diagnosis of atheroma in children
It is relatively easy to identify atheroma.
Even at the stage of the initial conversation with the patient or his parents, the surgeon assesses the general well-being of the child, collects anamnesis and analyzes complaints. When examining a neoplasm, the doctor pays attention to its size, location, pain, and the presence of redness. Before surgery, the surgeon prescribes a number of tests to comprehensively assess the child’s condition:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- general urine analysis;
- blood test for infections (HIV, syphilis, viral hepatitis B, C);
- ECG, fluorography.
The child is also examined by an anesthesiologist and pediatrician before the operation. A mandatory diagnostic method is histological examination of tumor tissue after its removal. At this stage, it is possible to determine whether it was an atheroma or a lipoma (a tumor similar in appearance).
Treatment of atheroma in children
The optimal method of treating atheroma in children is its surgical removal.
However, the age of the patient decides a lot here. Thus, most pediatric surgeons, in the absence of severe clinical symptoms, recommend a wait-and-see approach. Sometimes the swelling may resolve on its own. This is especially true for newborns and infants. In such cases, the development of the neoplasm is observed until the age of three, and if it persists, only then is it removed. Surgical intervention can be carried out traditionally using a scalpel or minimally invasively using a laser. In the first case, the surgeon excises the tumor with a capsule, which eliminates the risk of relapse. After this, cosmetic stitches are applied to the tissue to achieve the best aesthetic result.
Laser removal in children is used for small tumors. Using this technique, it is possible to avoid incisions and the formation of postoperative scars. In both cases, a comprehensive examination of the child is first carried out with the selection of the optimal treatment option.
In the postoperative period, the child may be prescribed the following groups of medications:
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antibacterial.
Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating discomfort and preventing infection of the postoperative wound.
Prevention measures
Experts still cannot say exactly what exactly provokes the formation of milia and lipomas, but it has been proven that following certain recommendations significantly reduces the risk of their occurrence. These include:
- correspondence of physical activity to the age of the child;
- maintaining a balanced diet, which includes all vital food groups (meat and fish, cottage cheese and dairy products, fruits, herbs, berries, nuts, vegetables, cereals, etc.);
- proper care of the child’s skin and compliance with hygiene standards.
Wen in children is an unpleasant cosmetic defect that most often goes away on its own and does not require specialized treatment. In no case should you press or pierce the milia yourself, as this can cause inflammation and infection of the tumor.
Any treatment should be prescribed only by a specialist after examining the child and studying the test results.
Questions
- Which doctor treats atheroma in children?
A pediatric surgeon is involved in identifying and treating atheroma in children. - Is it possible to cure atheroma without surgery?
Sometimes in the early stages of the disease the surgeon chooses a wait-and-see approach. In 20-35% of cases, atheroma can resolve on its own. However, if the capsule is formed and the tumor is large, it will not be possible to do without surgical intervention. - How dangerous is atheroma in childhood?
Atheroma is a relatively safe tumor. It does not become malignant, rarely becomes complicated and is not accompanied by the development of permanent defects. However, this does not eliminate the need to consult a pediatric surgeon. Only a doctor can establish the correct diagnosis and select treatment. In addition, atheroma can sometimes become inflamed due to the addition of bacterial flora and cause a deterioration in the child’s well-being. - Is it possible to play sports after surgery?
After surgical removal of atheroma, it is recommended to refrain from active activities for 2-3 weeks. This will allow the tissues to fully heal and recover.
When to see a doctor
At first, the lipoma does not manifest itself in any way. In principle, this state of affairs can remain for quite a long time; perhaps, even throughout life, the tumor will not bother its owner. The formation in its usual state looks harmless and is painless. Where the wen is located, there is no itching, no burning and no suppuration. However, this happens until the lipoma becomes inflamed. This situation may arise if a wen on a child’s face or in another open place was exposed to drafts or other unfavorable factors, for example, injuries, blows, etc.
When should you contact a specialist? This must be done urgently if the formation on the skin has hardened or there is pain at the site of the tumor. Wen can be similar to other tumor formations. For example, with such as atheroma, hygroma or lymphadenitis. These tumors are benign. Only a professional can determine exactly what kind of tumor a child has. At the slightest suspicion of inflammation of lymphoma, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. The specialist will individually prescribe a treatment regimen for the pathology, taking into account the age of your child and the location of the tumor.
