Do I Have Syringoma?

Do you have small (1–3 mm) flesh-colored-to-yellowish bumps in the area around your eyes, chest, armpits, abdomen or genitalia?

Do you have small bumps that do not cause pain or itching?

Do you have bumps that occur in clusters?

Do you have small bumps that are evenly distributed on both sides of the body?

Do you have multiple, symmetrical skin colored to brownish shiny bumps that all develop at the same time, usually on the chest and abdomen?

Do you have a family member with syringoma?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have syringoma. Syringomas are harmless, benign growths that are caused by the overactive sweat glands. They can usually be found on the upper cheeks, lower eyelids, sometimes on the neck. Only occasionally, syringomas can arise elsewhere on the face, abdomen, armpits, or genitals. They can occur at any age but most commonly occur after puberty. Women are more likely to get syringomas than men. Sometimes syringomas run in families. They are common in people with diabetes, while people with darker skin are prone to developing a rare type of syringoma known as eruptive syringoma.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have syringoma. Syringomas are a skin disorder characterized by benign growths due to excessive activity of the sweat glands. Syringomas appear as small bumps 1 to 3 millimeters in size that are either fleshy or yellowish in color. They usually affect the skin of the upper cheeks and lower eyelids. Syringomas appear in clusters, and they are often evenly distributed on both sides of the body. Syringomas do not cause pain and itching. Your doctor can usually make a diagnosis based on a skin examination. A diagnosis can be confirmed by a skin biopsy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have syringoma. Syringomas are benign tumors of the sweat ducts. They are completely harmless and usually occur in the area around the eye. Syringomas can sometimes be confused with another skin disorder called xanthelasma (cholesterol deposits on the eyelids). Syringomas can often be seen in Asian women and people with darker skin types. They do not require treatment. However, if you want to remove them, there are several therapeutic procedures available. Treatment includes medication and surgery (laser removal, electric cauterization, cryotherapy, or dermabrasion). Syringomas can recur.