Eruptive Xanthomatosis
What Is Eruptive Xanthomatosis?
A harmless skin reaction that looks like small bumps, eruptive xanthomatosis might indicate that you have high cholesterol. You must treat high cholesterol, since it puts you at risk for atherosclerosis.
What Causes Eruptive Xanthomatosis?
Eruptive xanthomatosis results from poorly controlled blood sugar levels.
It can also occur when your level of triglycerides (a form of fat) are elevated. Triglycerides exist normally in your body, but also come from food high in sugar, such as candy, honey and alcohol. Often, people with high triglycerides have high LDL, the "bad" cholesterol.
If you are insulin resistant, your body struggles to clear fat from your blood stream, and this can raise your triglycerides.
What Are the Symptoms of Eruptive Xanthomatosis?
Eruptive xanthomatosis usually appears on the shoulders, the buttocks or along the surfaces above the muscles that help you move your joints. On rare occasions, it can occur in your mouth.
Often the itchy, tender, pea-size bumps appear reddish-yellow.
How Can You Treat Eruptive Xanthomatosis?
Eruptive xanthomatosis often disappears by itself within a few weeks. However, you should still seek treatment because of the condition's strong association with high levels of triglycerides.
Treatment involves getting your triglyceride, cholesterol and blood glucose levels under control. Doing so might require the use of lipid-lowering drugs (such as statins like Lipitor® or Zocor®) or fibrates (such as TriCor® or Lopid®).
How Can You Prevent Eruptive Xanthomatosis?
Keep your blood sugar levels in the range recommended by your doctor. Limit your intake of sugar and alcohol - both of which can raise your triglycerides level.
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Thursday
November 20, 2008
Tip of the Day
Regular exercise increases the number of insulin receptor sites on cells, making the body more sensitive to insulin.
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