Signs Of High Cholesterol On The Face: How to Manage It?

As you all know high cholesterol can risk your health in different ways. Cholesterol is an essential component in the body for proper functioning.

The increasing level of fatty substances in your blood can damage every part of your body. When it comes to cholesterol, most people care about their heart health.

Because high cholesterol mainly damages cardiovascular health. But apart from that, it has other aspects too. Increased levels of low-density lipoprotein can affect your liver, head, face, legs, arms, other joints, etc.

High cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms. Mostly the symptoms appear in emergency events. In rare cases, high cholesterol shows certain signs on your face.

High cholesterol signs may appear in the form of yellowish patches or bumps on the mid-upper and lower eyelids just under the skin. Doctors recommend certain medications and minimally-invasive surgery to overcome such situations. 

How Does High Cholesterol Affect Your Face?

High levels of circulating fats in the form of cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to noticeable skin changes. When you have high cholesterol, you can see the visible changes on your face.

An unexplained set of bumps, patches of soft yellowish skin, and discoloration of your eyes are some of the signs that warn about your high cholesterol level.

Excessive fat in the body sometimes deposits under the skin. This may cause fat-filled orangish or yellowish pimples on the face. The yellowish patches are called xanthelasmas. The non-painful deposits may be different from person to person.

Sometimes the fatty substance may develop at the lines of your palms, the back of your thighs, or at the corner of your eyes. If you find any visible changes in the body, it’s better to consult a  dermatologist.

The research was conducted to know about the association of high cholesterol levels with other inflammatory dermatological conditions. It suggests that lichen planus and psoriasis are closely associated with high-level cholesterol.

The higher amount of triglycerides is the reason for lichen planus. The predisposition of fat has a critical role in the incidence of this situation.

High cholesterol forms a gray ring in the eye. The condition is called a corneal arcus. The disease is mainly seen in people who are under 40.

The high deposit of cholesterol and triglycerides forms an arc on the top or bottom side of the iris.  People who have his condition need cosmetic treatments to minimize these situations. 

According to research from 2022, people who have high blood cholesterol have an increased chance of several health risks such as peripheral vascular disease, acute pancreatitis, heart disease, and stroke.

It also forms several skin problems. Let’s look at some of the signs relates to high cholesterol on the face.

You read about two types of problems, Xanthelasmas and corneal arcus that occur in the eye parts. The rest of the conditions are,

Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a common type of condition that is seen in people who have high cholesterol. It causes an itchy rash on the skin or inside the mouth.

people who have been diagnosed with this condition may feel burning or soreness inside the mouth. Some LP can be present without any symptoms.

Researchers found that there is a close relationship between lipid levels and lichen planus. But not everyone diagnosed with LP will have increased cholesterol levels.

If you have any symptoms, consult a doctor and they will perform a biopsy. If your biopsy shows any signs, take treatment and it can help to relieve the symptoms.

Lichen planus occurs anywhere in your body including the face.  If it comes to the scalp, it may cause permanent hair loss. Mostly the condition can be seen on the arms, back, and ankles.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes thick, scaly patches on the skin. This condition can be mainly seen on the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back.

But in rare cases, it can occur on the face. This sign mostly occurs in people who are diagnosed with high-level cholesterol. The color of patches may vary from person to person.

The patches may appear pink or red in people who have lighter skin. Or the other hand,  the patches may appear in a purplish color for those who have darker skin.

The disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular health. People with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis have been shown to have increased cholesterol levels.

Eruptive Xanthoma

It is a rare disease caused by a high deposition of lipids in the blood. People who are diagnosed with diabetes may have more chance of detecting eruptive Xanthoma.

It occurs due to excessive amounts of triglycerides in the blood. Eruptive Xanthoma usually appears on elbows, hands, and knees.

However, it may also occur on the cheeks, forehead, and upper eyelids as well. According to 2016 research, 10% of people with high cholesterol have a rare disease called Eruptive Xanthoma. If you have any symptoms related to this condition, consult a dermatologist for better treatment.

Impact Of High Cholesterol On The Skin

The aforementioned diseases mostly affect your face. High- cholesterol also affects each part of your skin.

You read about some of the signs of high cholesterol on the face. Let’s see some of the other skin conditions caused by high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Cholesterol Embolism

It is a systemic disease caused by atherosclerotic plaque materials. The disease occurs due to the deposition of plaques in one of your large arteries. This blocks blood circulation in that area.

People who have cholesterol embolism may have symptoms like leg ulcers, gangrene, livedo reticularis, blue or purple toes, etc. The symptoms may vary based on the structure of the body.

Livedo Reticularis

The disease refers to various conditions. The discoloration of the skin is one of the common types seen in people who have Livedo reticularis.

The bluish-red mottling usually appears on the thighs, buttocks, toes, and other extremists. Cholesterol embolism can influence the netlike pattern on the skin.

Eyes; An Indicator Of Your Cholesterol Level

Your eyes can show the symptoms of high cholesterol. But the symptoms may not appear in every person. It totally depends upon the total cholesterol level or triglycerides.

People who have high cholesterol may have a ring around their Iris. this symptom is usually seen in people above 45 years old or above. Blurry vision, dark spots, and eye pain are the other signs related to high cholesterol. 

When To Consult A Doctor?

If you find any visible changes in your skin like discoloration on the skin, pimples, or eye pain, then you have to consult a dermatologist in those situations.

When it comes to eyes, you may feel a change in your vision. It’s better to consult an optometrist to talk about what you feel in your eyes. Sometimes, an eye test can help to pinpoint the reason behind your eyesight change. 

High cholesterol can impact several body parts. Doctors recommend taking a blood test is better to understand your cholesterol level.

A simple lipo test can show the amount of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and the total amount of cholesterol.

It’s better to make an appointment with a healthcare professional to update your cholesterol level and take necessary precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people should be started to take cholesterol tests at the age of 20.

It also recommends that people should do their blood test every five years after their last checkup. The number of years may be different based on the age category. Regular follow-up lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.

People with cardiovascular disease are recommended to check their cholesterol levels more often than others.

How Can You Manage Skin Symptoms Of High Cholesterol?

The key to treating your skin is to lower your cholesterol by following different methods.

Dermatologists are there to help you to identify the condition and give you the proper medications to manage your symptoms. It also helps to decrease your bad cholesterol. 

Improving lifestyle changes can make big difference in your cholesterol level. Here are some of the lifestyle changes you can follow for reducing the bad cholesterol in the body.

Diet

Diet is the most powerful weapon that resists your high cholesterol. Include foods rich in soluble fiber and avoid trans fat and saturated foods from your daily menu.

Enjoy the taste of fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods. They are the main source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional components. Eating less sugar and eating a variety of unsaturated food can elevate your good cholesterol.

Exercise

Exercise is the best choice to lower your high cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about your cholesterol level and he will recommend the proper exercise that you must follow on daily basis. Take a nice walk or jog with the one you can enjoy the most.

It is good for your heart health. Engaging in physical activities is the best way to burn calories and thereby you can shed the bad cholesterol in the body.

Stop Smoking

You may think that smoking is mainly affecting the lungs and cause cancer. But there are more risk factors linked with smoking. Smoking impacts your heart and it can lead to various heart diseases like stroke and heart attack etc.

Avoid smoking habits, If you can’t quit by yourself, take advice from healthcare professionals. They will provide all the instructions that you needed to follow to quit smoking habits.

Some healthcare organizations employ smoking cessation specialists. Seek help from specialists. They can guide you.

Conclusion

In short, cholesterol can impact your life in different ways. If you do not treat your body in a healthy way, this will cause your life. So, it’s better to take precautions before it detects your body.