The Truth Behind Syringoma Removal
December 21, 2008 by: Deepak
Filed under: Skin Disorders
Syringoma are harmless small skin-colored or yellowish, firm rounded dermal papules or cyst which are multiple and smaller then 3 mm in diameter. They usually starts in young age and sometimes other family members may also have been affected, but family history is rare. They are more common in women then men. Although most of the lesions are limited to the upper parts of the cheeks and lower eyelids, other common sites include the armpits, abdomen, upper chest, penis, and vulva.
Clinically, syringoma are often confused with milia, sebaceous hyperplasia, lichen planus, eruptive xanthoma, urticaria pigmentosa, or acne vulgaris or even basal cell skin cancer. So definitive diagnosis is needed with histological examination of the lesion. The characteristic appeareance of skin biopsy under a microscope is used to diagnose it.
Treatment of Syringoma is for cosmetic purpose only as these lesion do not harm. But syringomas of the eyelids and cheeks are often frustrating. Most of the literature suggests using carbon dioxide laser. But no comparative studies and no long-term follow-up studies are available on which to base definitive recommendations for treatment. Some other treatment options includes Surgical excision with suturing, dermabrasion, electrocautery , Electrodesiccation and curettage, cryosurgery, chemical peeling and oral and topical retinoids. But none of this methods are 100% satisfactory.
There are some reports of successful treatment with carbon dioxide laser for facial syringomas. A report on dermatology online journal suggests the use of topical atropine to alleviate the pruritus in symptomatic eruptive syringoma. Unfortunately, there is no any standard treatment for widespread syringomas and all surgical treatments might result in scarring. There are many Over the counter medications sold on net that claims to remove syringoma but many unsuccessful results with scar formations are reported so be sure to use at your own risk. As these are harmless lesions so they can be just left if it doesn’t cause you worries.
There are no any proven home remedies for syringoma they have to be treated with special medical procedure so consult your dermatologist before trying to treat yourself. It can also be another disorder resembling like syringoma and may be associated with systemic problems.
If you have any questions regarding Syringoma you can ask us here: Dermatalk Skin Care Forums
I have about 4 under my left eye and I really want them gone! Saw an opthalmic plastic surgeon yesterday who said he’d cut 2 of the bigger ones off, no stitches, and see how I do. I am nervous to get this done and wonder if a scar will be worse? I would never use something like nevexin. Makeup does not cover these things. I wonder about topical atropine. I read that it can make them look better but have to find a doctor who knows about this. Anyone heard of this? I live in Southern California.
Hello guys, lets keep posting our experiences here! Anyone know other blog, website like this? We need to help each other with our experiences.
One year ago I did the electrocautery treatment, since then I have been trying to live my life without thinking about this shit. But I cant. Everyday I avoid to see my face in the mirror, so sad. I am thinking about doing some peels, maybe it can help me. These bumps are growing and growing and I dont know WHAT I did to have it
… Is it really genetic because neither my mother nor father suffer of this skin desease(?).
I am thinking about doing a biopsy… I cant live this way, i am so young (19), full of dreams… and sad.
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to share my experience with syringoma as I am afflicated as well. I’ve dealt with this since I reached puberty. I’ve gotten this stuff treated before when I was fifteen and it was terribly painful. They surgically removed each one, and by then I had more than 10+ on each eye. It was a very costly procedure. After about 6 months, a few started to grow back and as part of the maintenance I had them removed. When I stopped, new ones grew and grew, clustering until it was one big ol’ mess. I didnt go for a while (like 8 years) because I simply accepted. However, with my wedding coming up, I didn’t want them to be prominent. So I went back to the same esthetician who originally removed it to restart the process. I have them both on my top lids and bottom lids. Since I knew her for about 10 years, I trusted her, she was also afflicted with the same condition. She told me skin always regenerate and since syringoma is simply skin, it’s going to regrow back no matter what. She also said it is easier to treat it on the surface when there are one or two but I had literally over 50 on each eye top and bottom lid. My first session was in September, electrocautery. Yes it is an extremely painful process and I have a very high pain threshold. After about 1 week, the the scabs fell off and the area around my top lid (the first session) was completely smooth. My second session was yesterday. There is a lot of scabbing as of now but I know it will be ok. I’ve done it before. Hopefully this comment helped. The take home message is this: Syringoma is skin and skin will always grow back. It is part of the body’s processes of skin turnover and regeneration. Second take home message, be sure to trust the person you are dealing with and consider the risks vs benefits. If you don’t have many now, don’t wait. It will only continue to grow until there is a giant mass. That was my mistake–waiting. It was starting to grow from my lower lids to the cheeks. Thank you all for reading.
Used the wart mole vanish cream, it did not work. Scabs were created which fell off within 2 weeks, left discoloured spots but the syringomas grew right back. Skin colour was back to normal after approximately 6 weeks.
Please tell us what is the outcome? For all those that tried different treatments to get rid of syringoma. Thanks!
I have seen two dermatologists in the past two months. One told me he could help me to make them look better,but that he could not make them go away completely due to the area and that they would grow back eventually plus I am already predispose to have them, and there was nothing I could do to prevent them. He told me he could do a laser resurfacing with the Yag Erbrium laser. He also said that because I have olive skin I could have hyperpigmentation due to the procedure (which is darkening of the skin). The other told me that he could help me with also laser resurfacing using the CO2 laser. They both told that electrocauthery was not good due to scarring. I have had electrocauthery in some areas and the skin is lighter in those spots. I am torn as to what to do with the laser because I am afraid that it will look worst than what it looks now. I will continue to research and see dermatologist and hoping for the best although it is very hard to cope with this condition.
hearing that i probably won’t be able to get rid of them sounds very depressing
… I am a male in mid 20′s with dark (light brown) skin and i started getting these last spring around my eyelids. More of these have shown up around my eyes since then. I live in Vancouver, Canada and went to see a dermatologist about a month ago and he told me that laser would work better than the burning? treatment that he could perform but it will be a lot more expensive. I ended up getting burning? treatment on just one of these little bumps, it hurt a little as I did not apply any anesthetic and noticed a little scar right after. I asked him to refer me to the laser clinic since I wouldn’t want these scars all around my eyes (I have a proffesional job). I went to see the laser dermatologist and he gave me all the bad news, laser will discolor the skin, they will come back, it will cost over $1000 and there is no treatment.
Now the bump that my dermatologist had burned doesn’t look too bad, its been about a month and bump is virtually not there, there is only a little discoloration. I am thinking about getting them all burned…. Does anyone has any experience with this??
i personaly have these wierd bumps ive had them for a couple of years even though some dematologists say it can not be cure with pins, i know other wise. if the bumps is made a small opening with a pin it will dry up (the bigger the whole the better)when it drys up if you simply run your nail over it, it will go away.
@ niquee vasquez .what do u mean by pins? did it go away without scarring? how did u do it? thanks
I started to develop these small skin colored bumps that are getting bigger and more noticeable within the past two months. They cover the entire area under my eye (where you would typically get dark circles). Most of them are really tiny, but some of them are bigger and they keep on growing. I went to a derm recently and he said they are sweat glands that are visible, and they should not grow anymore and said he does not believe they are syringoma. But why did they just start popping up and keep growing when I just turned 24. But as they keep growing and I read about them online I feel this is what I have.I am going to another derm for a 2nd opinion next week. I’m very disappointed that you guys had such bad results with the electric needle method because I was considering trying that removal method. I feel so depressed knowing that it is just going to keep getting worse and I don’t know what to do. It’s really getting me down and I would hate for something like this to ruin my life. Any advice on what to do to cope or removal methods that worked would help and I pray for everyone that they get better. Thanks
hi.. i also suffering from syringoma.. i got this problem since i was 15 and now 1′m 21 =( a few month before i meet an anesthetic and suggest me to do some procedure which is same like removing the moles or warts… and i did.. she removed about 20 of my syringoma.. and yes it painful and it cost a lot…. but after i did this treatment yet it still growth..and i stop try this treatment.. then when i stop as i expected it growth a lot more around my eyelid.. i gave up and right now i don’t know any best treatment to this. i kept on searching but nothing promised to removed this problem permanently.. and its really broke my heart because i still young and have this problem. and i’m embarrassed with my friends cause they have good skin compare too me.. this is so frustrating =’(
Hi guys. I am from the Philippines and thank you for all the things you’ve shared. i also have syringoma and am considering to have them removed or treated as well. i just got to talk with a surgeon and told me that dermabrasion would help to flatten it but not remove it visually. Its a risk that I am considering and I’ll repost update for the result.
Hi guys I have a lot of these bumps under my eyes I am going to a dermatologist next month to burn off 1 bump and see how it heals. If the healing goes well I will do the rest. It is frustrating knowing that that will keep coming back no matter what. But I would rather try to maintain the problem by removing them every few months then letting them grow into a big mass. I noticed that stress and lack of sleep make mine grow. I need to stop stressing and get some more sleep!
For the women outhere, I have found a concealer that works better for me and is from sheer cover. The regular concealers do not really help. I have dark circles and the bumps are a little lighter, and this helps to even the skin although the bumps are still there. After doing research, and getting a few opinions there is only two procedures for our problem that work in helping not getting rid of them. 1) Electrodessecation (burning with needle) 2) Laser. Both have scarring results as i know because i have had the burning and it leaves minor discoloration. The laser is mainly for people with white skin as if you have any color the risk for hyperpigmentation (darkening) is high. It is not easy to swallow knowing there is no really a cure for this.
@Ksilva, does the sheer cover really works to cover it up. I got mine removed about 3-4 weeks ago. Of course, it did teh same thing left minimal scarring and I am wondering if you know any product that it would remove the scar (discoloration)?
Please Advice
Thanks!
Ann, unfortunately discoloration (lightening of the skin) is almost always permanent. I had two removed 16 years ago and the skin is lighter. I had two removed 5 months ago and the skin is lighter. For me, as I have dark circles is even more noticeable. I have tried many concealers, and they just make my skin look worst. I started using Sheer Cover about 1 1/2 years ago and the concealer is really good as well as the foundation. I do not use powder under my eyes as is just makes the bumps more noticeable. I just dab the concealer and don’t rub too much. It is not a 100% cover up as I believe there is nothing outhere that will do that, but I found that is the best product so far that evens out my skin. You can also try dermablend but I prefer sheer cover. I hope it works for you.
@Ksilva,
Thank you so much for the respond and tips. Mine I got it removed about 3 weeks ago then it comes to discoloration my skin did not get lighter it kind of get redish which made it more noticeable. I have a fair skin and now my dermatologist told me to use “Prosil” that is a scar treatment that it should go away. I was wondering when you got yours remove how was the process?
Thank You for your time!
@LINBON:
I was wondering when you got yours removed did it leave major scarring. If so, what medicine did you use to make it smooth or to help to minimal the scar?
Currently, mine is in the proces and I have major scars around my eyes if anyone of you guys done it before and left major scarring. Please advice what kind of treatment you guys did to make the scar fade away or to be able to get the color of your skin tone back.
Thanks,
Mary
Ann,
The process of healing after burning the lesions is a slow one. For me it took about two and a half months for the redness and sweling to go down. I was very scare in the beginning because it almost look the same as before but red. I went back to the dermatologist and she said that everyone heals different and sometimes it takes months to completely heal. Mine went pretty flat not completely but close and the redness went away, but the area is lighter. I do not think you can avoid that. Also, the outcome depends alot on how experienced is your dermatologist. It is good to make sure the doctor has experience in treating this condition. If you have fair skin and do not have dark circles you might get the area close to your color. Me as I developed dark circles the areas are more noticeable. The healing process takes time. I hope this helps…
I just got the hyfrecator (burning) done yesterday on two bumps just to test it. So far I haven’t developed a scab at all and it’s been a day in a half. It’s just a little pink and you could see that he burned through a layer of skin. But it is completely flat. I’m hoping that it heals well. This doctor is one of the best doctors in la and he said that he has never had a patient that has scarred from this procedure. He wanted to go ahead and do all of them but I just want to make sure that I don’t scar. He tried to reassure me that he’s done it many times even on his wife with out any scars but you never know everyone is different. I was expecting it be a lot worse and to have a scab. When did you guys develop scabs? I’m hoping that this heals well so that I can get the rest of them done. I will keep you guys posted.
Hi everyone. I am a Malay-Asian, and from Singapore. I went to a dermatologist about my syringoma and asked for a treatment to remove them. I was told that because I am dark-skinned, chances are, there would be scarring that will leave marks. These marks, because of my Asian skin, will only disappear after six months. I am 35 years old and have been plagued by these bumps for a good ten years of my life. I sometimes avoid looking at the mirror because I only see these bumps when I look at my reflection. Are there any Malays here who have undergone any treatments? I have read about Naturalis Syringoma Treatment. I am thinking of trying the product. Anyone here used that before, and if so, did the syringoma disappear? I want them removed so badly. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Any one have luck with retin a preventing syringomas? My derm says it can prevent it / slow it down. I think I am going to give it a try after my wounds from the burning heal. Any one have any luck with retin a use under the eyes. I hear it also helps with wrinkles, win win!!
@Fatima,
I’m half Filipino, half Chinese and have tanned skin. I’ve had bumps for about 6 years now and finally had one test-removed by electrocautery. It took about 3 months for the scab to fully heal and when it did, it left a mark slightly lighter than the rest of the skin. It’s hard to see but if I had all of them removed that way, I think it would be pretty noticeable. I’m looking into laser treatment, because supposedly it causes less scarring but for asians, possibly more discoloration. I don’t know anything about the Naturalis Syringoma Treatment. Hope this helps.
So it’s been a week since I got those 2 syringomas burned off, it took a few days for it to scab. But it completely healed 1 week after the burning was done with out any sign of the bumps and zero discoloration. I guess it turns out the dermatologist was right! When the rest of the ones I have get bigger I will definitely go back. I know the syringomas will keep coming back but I would rather have them maintained. Just in case anyone was wondering I am half Filipino/Irish with light brown skin. Oh yeah and keep plenty of neosporin on the scab while it is healing!!
@Ksilva: Thank You so much, that was really helpful. I guess, It’ll take about 2-3 months for my scar (discoloration) totally disappear. However, I think you are right that my color would probably go back since I have a fair skin and I got it removed when i was young and it did come back (I just don’t remember, how long did it take for my skin color to come back)
Well I got mine removed for about a month and half. Still, in the process of healing like getting my color back because it definitely leave discoloration and I am hoping for my natural color to come back. Right, now I am applying Protisil on it everyday which my dermatologist recommended, It seems that it is not really making a difference been using it for about 3 weeks now. Do you guys have any suggestion for the scar to fade away quickly and get my natural color back? Thanks!
Thanks!
hi, I am a 40 year old female and I have had periorbital syringoma since age 12, within the last 10 years it has grown worse. Recently I had a trial removal with electrocautery, the area took about four weeks to heal completely, at first I thought it made little difference but as time progressed the lesions that were burnt are a bit flatter but the area has darkened a bit. By the way I am Afro Trinidadian with dark skin. I am sheduled to have more burning done but I don’t know if it makes sense. I never knew that the syringomas will eventually grow back does it make sense to continue treatment?
it will be my first time to remove my numerous syringoma around my eyes, whats the best way to remove it, im thinking of lazer and cauterization..pls guide me..
Hi Gail, I am 37 and had them since I was 15, however started getting worse about 2 years ago. I asked myself the same question, if it makes sense to burned them as they can continue to come back. I am afraid how it would look having them burned, then come back and then having the same procedure again. So far I do not know anyone old enough to see how this develops.
Burning my syringoma off did not help at all. More came and just within a week or so after the treatment. I am thinking about trying accutane to battle both my acne and syringoma. I have read comments from people saying that it has helped/a study. Anyone have positive results?
Im the only one in my family that have syringomas…
Stacey me too!! And they are growing at such a fast rate, it’s so depressing. I’m going to try a TCA peel, then accutane if that doesn’t work. I already tried electrocautery, laser, and retin a with no success. This really sucks
Tara,
Hi, what kind of laser did you had. Was it a laser resurfacing all under your eyes or was it spot treatment? Also, what type of skin do you have? Are you fair, olive or?? Did it leave any scar (like darkening of the skin or lighter)from the laser?
Hi Tara
How old are you? Mine came up at around 19. I’m now 30 and they are starting to increase. It’s annoying as I had got used to the number I had (about 9 around each eye.) Now I’ve got at least 6 more overnight. I thought I might try electrocautery to manage it but tried in the past and made little diff although didn’t have an adverse effect. The only other treatment I can think is cutting a layer out – (rather than individually cutting each)that would remove about 5 at once. Anyway let us know if you have any success.
Hi ksilva,
I tried the co2 laser under the whole eye area (I have a lot of them) under each eye. It did not really help just made them a little smaller but then they grew right back. I have fair skin. It was maybe 2 months ago and it’s still a faint red.
Hi Dawn,
Mine are really starting to increase too I see more everyday. I honestly do not know what to do anymore. Do you think trying accutane would be too extreme? I’ve heard that it has helped some people. And I am super desperate as nothing else is working and I don’t want hundreds of bumps under my eyes.
Hi Tara,
I got mine removed about 2 and half months now. Of course, they start to grow back. Thus, those that I got removed are flattened but reddish/dark which is making it more obvious. I was wondering if you are using anything to make the scar fade because I too have the same fair skin as you do.
Thanks!
Hi everyone! I’ve read every single one of your post and read gazillion web information about Syringoma. Like you I suffer with this problem too. My mom has this condition and I am the only one among my siblings that inherited it. Forgive me but it’s almost comforting to know I’m not the only one battling this problem. You are right. I had this since I was 16 I had two treatments since then using cauterization. Size were a bit reduced/flattened after the treatments, scarring took a while but it will eventually comeback to our skin color but the sad part of it was so as the syringoma. I have mine under my eyes and some on the forehead. I am 40 now and there seems to be more growing. I figure the technology to cure this problem should improve by now but everywhere I go, nothing seems promising. I can’t just sit here and not do anything about it so I am schedule to see a doctor tomorrow. I am willing to do anything that will minimize this problem because I can’t stand this anymore and I refuse to watch it multiply. Maintenance unfortunately is something we have to deal with for the rest of our lives, sad.I am Asian with moderately light skin. I will book mark this and I will give you all an update. Please share any success stories or good news.
Tara,
This must be the place in LA you were referring to using Hyfrecator process in treating syringoma Please let me know the outcome. I am from sacramento and I would like to fly there just to have it done but since you’ve tried already. I would like to hear from you first. I would appreciate it very much if you respond. Everyone. Check this site. Not affiliated or anything. Just a website I research. They seem to specialist with our condition.
http://www.celibre.com/syringoma-treatment.aspx
Tara,
I just read all your post again and you seem pretty happy. Now I just need to know the cost. I have good size ones on both side approximately 5 on each lower eye and maybe few more on my forehead. Thanks!
I feel you all cause Ive been depressed and devastated with this condition. The sad thing that make it worse is the fact medical insurance do not cover this. So we end up trying every options costing us a lot of expense and pain and everything is temporary. I just want to cry right now. I feel hopeless. I am not ugly but this is making me ugly and old. I’m going to see a doctor on Friday. They use HYFRECATOR method. They said it’s free of scarring and its proven effective. Google it if you want. I’m not sure if I can afford the process, if I do and decide to have it done, I will share you the outcome. I’ve done electrocautery, everyone is right it will comeback and basically you’ll suffer with not fully gone syringoma and discoloration for a long period of time, not to mention the pain. Keep your heads up, you’re all beautiful in the inside, thanks for sharing <3
J. Smith,
you must be a license physician because I just called to inquire about the cost of HYFRECATOR as I was thinking the same thing as you but they require you to send a physician license and so forth if you are to purchase. This is so devastating and frustrating, dealing with this problem. Can anybody ever find a permanent solution to this skin condition. The fact that it is not cover by health insurance makes it even worse.
I have done some research and heard that these options improve this condition:
CO2 laser, radio surgery, electro cautery, intralessional electro dessication, eye bag removal and electro-coagulation.
I think the intralessional and radio ones sound the most promising. Does anyone have experience of these? Any feedback on other options would be helpful, although it sounds like CO2 and Cautery are a bit useless.
Hi Tara
Sorry I don’t know anything about acutane. I would always speak to a doc before trying anything. I know it is difficult but try to remember there are worse conditions than this.
@Ann
Sorry to get back so late to everyone. While this was all going on, I was getting married. The procedure that was done for me was electrocautery. Yes there was scarring but because of all the products that I was suppose to use while my skin was healing, I did not get discoloration nor did I get scarring. It flattened so much with the use of the products (Yon Ka) taylored to me by the certified aesthetician (one I’ve used for over 10 years, yes it has been that long). Like I said before in my earlier post, she is afflicted the same problem but she keeps doing it on a regular basis that it is not even noticeable (with and without makeup). I’ve had many of my friends tell me how great it looks and thank goodness it made for great wedding pictures. I will keep updating but trust is key. If you are in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, I will surely recommend you use my aesthetician. Many loyal patrons travel (one I know of, from Minnesota twice a year) to visit her. My email, vxcashmerexv@aol.com I am not promoting her for sales but more of a help for those who are afflicted as I am.
I meant to say the scarring was so little that if you use the products religiously, it heals and minimizes to the point where it’s like that’s a scar?? It is skin and it will grow back. Remember that.
I went to see a dermatologist in las Vegas, who specailaizes in cosmetic procedures, and he said that he does not like electrocauthery because of scarring. the only thing he recommended was a laser resurfacing with the Yag erbium because I have olive skin, but he he also said that he could not removed them completely only make them 50% better and on top of it I could get hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin)and the cost was 1500.00. I do not know if it is worth it to go through the pain, healing, and then wait for the hyperpigentation to go away, which can take over a year, only to still have them smaller and then come back eventually. I also went to see a dermatologist in San Antonio and he said the exact same thing, but he uses a new CO2 laser, cost 1200.00. I have done electrocautherization on some of the small that are coming out. People I have done research after research, and unfortunately, as of today I have not found something that seems promising. Yes it is very frustating, but I always try to remember that there are worst things outhere people have to deal with. Ours, is bumps around the eyes. I always keep my hopes up that soon they will come up with something that can help us.
Hi Ann,
I am currently using a cream formulated with hydroquione and retin-a to get rid of the faint redness under my eyes. My derm made it for me.
Hi Kim,
I have heard about celibre and did a consulation there, but I did not feel comfortable doing the procedure there. I did it in a derm office in Beverely Hills. I had great success at first but unfortunately mine grow back at such a fast rate. If your syringoma grow at a slow rate I would recommend the hyfrecator otherwise it will just grow back soon after the treatment.
The derm I went to charges $250 for the whole face.
Kim,
I would also like to add that depending on the size of your syringomas you might have to have the treatment done multiple times which is what celibre told me. Mine are pretty small, so it got rid of them after one treatment, but I just wish they didn’t grow back so fast!!!
Also I just wanted to add that I heard that intralesional electrodesiccation works very well to get rid of syringomas because it goes deeper than the hyfrecator or normal eletrocautery. I really want to find a derm who does it in CA. Has anyone heard of this or know of a derm that does it in the CA area?
Hi Tara
It doesn’t sound like a difficult procedure – most derms should be able to offer this treatment.