Syringoma

Syringomas are small, firm, skin-colored or yellowish bumps, about 1 to 3 mm across, that grow from sweat ducts. They often appear in clusters on the lower eyelids and upper cheeks, and can also show up on the neck, chest or other areas. They usually start in the teen or adult years and are more common in women.

Syringomas are harmless and usually cause no symptoms, though some itch with sweating. They can look like milia, sebaceous hyperplasia or other bumps, so have new bumps checked.

How we treat them

Treatment is optional and done for appearance.

• Electrosurgery: a fine needle delivers heat to flatten each bump
• Laser treatment: an ablative laser, such as CO2, removes bumps, which works well for clusters
• Excision: small surgical removal of individual bumps
• Prescription creams, such as retinoids, may help some people

Your provider chooses the approach based on how many bumps you have, where they are and your skin tone. Darker skin has a higher risk of color changes after treatment, so we plan carefully.

After treatment

Small scabs heal in about 1 to 2 weeks. Pinkness can last a few weeks. Use sunscreen while the skin heals.

Where it is offered

Q&A

Related care

• Milia
• Sebaceous hyperplasia
• CO2 laser resurfacing