Hello, I am Dr. Sang-ju Lee, a board-certified dermatologist. Many people may be concerned about small, bumpy growths around their eyes or on their forehead. These symptoms may suggest syringoma, a type of benign tumor that develops when the eccrine ducts, which are the pathways for sweat, grow. Syringoma commonly affects women, is more prevalent than generally thought, and often recurs. Today, I will provide detailed information about various questions related to syringoma.
Small, bumpy growths around the eyes? Could it be syringoma?
Syringoma is, as the name suggests, a small, millet-sized benign tumor that protrudes from the skin due to the growth of eccrine ducts (sweat glands). Visually, it appears as millet-sized, almost skin-colored growths. A characteristic of syringoma is that nothing comes out when squeezed.
Don't confuse syringoma and milia!
Although they may look similar on the surface, syringoma and milia differ in their causes and characteristics. The differences between the two conditions are as follows:
- Syringoma: A benign tumor caused by the growth of sweat glands (eccrine ducts). It is skin-colored, and no contents are expelled when squeezed.
- Milia: A collection of sebum trapped within the skin. It appears as slightly whitish bumps embedded in the skin, and sebum is expelled when squeezed.
Is Agnes treatment effective for syringoma?
Agnes is a treatment method that uses an insulated needle to destroy syringoma. This treatment has the advantage of minimal disruption to daily life. However, its treatment efficacy may be somewhat lower compared to existing laser treatments such as Piole or Drilling.
Agnes treatment often relies on visual estimation because it is difficult to accurately determine the depth of syringoma. This can make precise targeting challenging, and since less energy is delivered to the skin compared to laser treatment, it may be difficult to achieve significant results with a single treatment.
Can syringoma recur after treatment?
If the syringoma-affected area is completely removed using the Piole method, recurrence in that specific area is less common. However, since sweat glands are scattered around, syringoma can certainly appear in other areas. Additionally, although syringoma is a benign tumor, it may have roots, and recurrence in the treated area is occasionally reported.
Is scar-free laser treatment for syringoma possible?
There is a possibility of scarring when treating syringoma with lasers. Particularly, using conventional carbon dioxide lasers (CO2 lasers) can cause severe damage to surrounding healthy tissue, leading to scarring. However, with recent advancements, using high-power lasers that minimize surrounding damage, such as the Ultrapulse Encore, can significantly reduce the incidence of scarring and allow for safe treatment.
I have now addressed many common questions about syringoma. If you have further questions, it is important to consult with a specialist to receive an accurate diagnosis and find the appropriate treatment method.