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What Is a Syringoma?

A syringoma is a condition where skin growth develops in bumps around and below the eyes just above the cheeks. Syringoma is non-cancerous and is not painful, and can be treated medically or surgically for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons. Syringoma is caused by overproductive sweat glands around the eyes.

  1. Cause of Syringoma

    • Syringoma is developed by overproductive sweat glands around the eyes and tends to run in families. It is unknown what causes this dysfunction.
      Many sufferers of Down's Syndrome develop syringoma: Approximately 1 in 5 Down's Syndrome sufferers also have syringoma, though again, the reason for this is unknown.
      Sometimes syringoma will appear suddenly, and there is no age criteria; a teenager is just as likely to develop syringoma as is a senior citizen.

    Home Treatment and Prevention

    • The treatment of syringoma at home must begin with proper skin care techniques. Apply facial cleanser several times per day to prevent the sweat glands around the eyes from clogging pores. Many dermatologists recommend using an astringent after washing your face with cleanser. Another essential ingredient in home care for syringoma is sunblock. Sunburn will worsen the effects of syringoma as well as increase the chance of syringoma development, so be sure to coat your face daily with protective sunblock.

    Visiting a Doctor

    • If home treatment of syringoma is not working, consider a consultation with a dermatologist. Depending on the severity, the doctor may recommend removing the syringoma with a laser. If your dermatologist recommends syringoma removal, check with your insurance company to see if treatment will be covered within your medical plan. Some insurance companies treat syringoma removal as a cosmetic procedure and will not pay for treatment.

    How Syringoma is Removed

    • Because the skin around the eyes is very delicate, doctors prefer to use a non-invasive removal therapy such as laser removal. Laser therapy is non-invasive (does not require any cutting or use of needles) and, therefore, there is no risk of damaging nearby skin. A dermatologist will numb the area with lidocaine and use a laser to remove the bumps.
      Two other methods to remove syringoma are electric cauterization (where a needle is inserted into the growth in order to kill it) and liquid nitrogen (which freezes off the syringoma after a few days have passed).

    Warning

    • Never attempt to remove your syringoma by picking, cutting or pulling on the affected area. Attempting to remove the syringoma yourself may result in infection and lead to scar tissue. Only a board-certified physician should perform surgical removal of syringoma.

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