Lesser-known Symptoms On Your Face That Could Be A Sign of High Cholesterol

Your face is the window to your health, according to doctors. Any signs of illness can be spotted on your face, especially if it is related to your heart. According to experts, you must look out for two facial symptoms that could indicate high cholesterol.

Also known as hypercholesterolaemia, high cholesterol is a condition where there is an excess of fats or lipids in your blood – potentially leading to heart disease and stroke. Doctors say it is often asymptomatic, meaning many people don’t know they have it until complications arise.

However, there are a few signs you can spot on your face that can indicate you need to take swift action.

Xanthelasmas

Xanthelasmas happen in the corner of your eyes—appearing as firm, waxy skin lesions that are a sure-shot sign of buildup of cholesterol, causing cholesterol deposits under your skin’s surface. They appear as small bumps, nodules, or even benign tumours that enlarge over time.

Although not everyone with high cholesterol has xanthelasmas, high cholesterol levels can cause them.

Corneal arcus

It mostly develops if you have a family history of high cholesterol levels.

Lichen planus

This is an extremely common condition that leads to itchy rashes on your skin. According to doctors, it causes shiny purple or red bumps that may appear anywhere on your body – including the face—and itch severely. Sometimes, these are also found inside your mouth, appearing as white, lacy patches of small dots on the tongue or inside the cheeks—causing a burning sensation.

Eruptive xanthoma

Eruptive xanthomas are seen as multiple pink, reddish, or yellow bumps anywhere on the skin, but usually on the face and forehead, apart from your elbows, hands, and knees.

According to doctors, a few lifestyle measures you can take to mitigate against high cholesterol include: