SEBACEOUS HYPERPLASIA

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, skin finding that can be observed in middle-aged (usually fifth or sixth decade) and elderly.

Single or multiple, it presents as yellowish, whitish or skin-colored, small, soft papules, from 2 to 9 mm in size, with a central umbilication.

It’s a benign, harmless, not contagious, asymptomatic condition, only of cosmetic concern. The location is almost always on the nose, on the cheeks and on the forehead.

The cause of sebaceous hyperplasia is unknown. Exposure to sun, aging, immunosuppression are possible factors or cofactors of development.

Clinical diagnosis is not usually difficult. If the appearance is not typical, dermatoscopy can help: it is possible to see aggregated white-yellow nodules surrounded by branching vessels extending towards the center of the lesion without crossing it.

Because benign, lesions do not require any treatment. If they are cosmetically unfavorable, therapeutic options are  cauterization or electrodesiccation, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, excision.

Sometimes lesions tend to recur. Possible complications of therapy are scarring or transient dyspigmentation.