Sebaceous Hyperplasia - Symptoms & Treatment

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a disorder of the sebaceous glands in which they become enlarged. Sebaceous glands are found throughout the skin except on the palms and soles. In Sebaceous hyperplasia the patient develops yellowish growth on the face. A variant of this condition, known as Fordyce's condition causes tiny yellow dots in groups and sometimes in sheets on the lips, inside the mouth, and sometimes on the genital skin. Sebaceous hyperplasia can be difficult to clinically differentiate from basal cell carcinoma. Often multiple lesions which are similar are present. Sebaceous Hyperplasia is a skin disease which generally affects the youth but it can affect people of any age. Sebaceous hyperplasia appears as small yellow bumps up to 3 mm in diameter. There are often prominent blood vessels. Sebaceous hyperplasia is the term used for enlarged sebaceous glands seen on the forehead or cheeks of the middle-aged and elderly. Lesions can be single or multiple and present as slightly white, flesh or yellow colored, small papules on the face, particularly the nose, cheeks and forehead. Sebaceous gland hyperplasia is a harmless condition that is only a cosmetic concern. It differs from the type of acne that affects adolescents and young adults, in that it is more of an abnormally discolored patch that is not cured by topical treatments alone.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia is a very common type of skin disorders but is very dangerous also. Sebaceous glands are located within the skin and are responsible for secreting an oily substance named sebum. They are commonly associated with hair follicles but they can be found in hairless regions of the skin as well. Their secretion lubricates the skin, protecting it from drying out or becoming irritated. Sebaceous hyperplasia occasionally also occurs on the chest, areola, mouth, and vulva. Usually a central dull and yellowish color in the peripheral thickened area. The large arrows point to sebaceous hyperplasia, the smaller arrow points to an intradermal nevus. Sebaceous glands are highly androgen sensitive, and, although the number of sebaceous glands remains approximately the same throughout life, their activity and size vary according to age and circulating hormone levels. The sebaceous glands, as well as the sweat glands, account for the vast majority of androgen metabolism in the skin. Sebaceous hyperplasia is known to cause some embarrassment to the people that do contract it. They do not like to be seen in public some of the time and they would rather wish that the medication that they receive would just start to take immediate effect. But some people will still do what they used to do and they will not let this affect their day to day lives. Fortunately, the appearance of this condition can be improved by removing the portion of the oil gland that has to the surface. Tretinoin cream or gel used daily will reverse the condition slowly overtime and also help keep the condition from worsening.

Causes of Sebaceous Hyperplasia

The exact cause of Sebaceous Hyperplasia is not known. The disease runs in families i.e. it is hereditary. Sebaceous Hyperplasia is not contagious. Sebaceous hyperplasia is thought to be caused by a decrease in the circulating levels of androgen associated with aging. Ultraviolet radiation is considered only a cofactor, because sebaceous hyperplasia occasionally occurs on areas of the body where sunlight is not a relevant issue, including the buccal mucosa, areolae, and vulva.

Find common causes and risk factors of Sebaceous Hyperplasia :

• Exposure to sun.
• A history of contracting Sebaceous hyperplasia.
• Sebaceous hyperplasia is contagious . That is easily spread by touch.
• An increased number of basal cells.
• Aging is also a factor for the development of this disease.
• The Immune system defect may also causes sebaceous hyperplasia.

Signs and Symptoms of Sebaceous Hyperplasia

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Acne.
• Enlargement of the sebaceous gland.
• Yellowish white raised papules.
• Dryness, of the hairs.

Treatment for Sebaceous Hyperplasia

Sebaceous hyperplasia is harmless and does not require any treatment. However, individual lesions may be removed by light cautery, diathermy or laser vaporization. Intense pulsed light also known as photo-facial, fotofacials, and photo rejuvenation is a state of-the art system and the latest technique in photofacial therapy. This removes the unwanted tissue while it spares or avoids the surrounding healthy or "normal" tissue. Tretinoin cream or gel used daily will reverse the condition slowly overtime and also help keep the condition from worsening. Accutane will reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but new lesions will develop after stopping the medication unless you also use tretinoin cream regularly.