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Atheroma (atheroma), translated from Greek means tumor and gruel, and is an epithelial cyst of the skin, which has several types: retention cyst, epidermal, multiple steatocystoma and tricholemmal cyst.
The clinical signs of all these subspecies are the same, and therefore they are often called atheromas.
This rounded tumor has a capsule inside, filled with thick yellowish-white masses with a repulsive odor. The walls of atheroma produce keratin, which is its content.
This skin disease occurs in about ten percent of the population, mostly in the fair sex. Middle-aged people are also most susceptible to the appearance of atheromas.
They appear, as a rule, randomly or are inherited, although the genes that are responsible for such formations have not yet been identified by science.
Symptoms of the disease and its course
Atheromas can occur anywhere, but the skin of the face, neck, head, back, and the genital area are most often affected.
Single atheromas on the head are much less common than multiple ones, and ten percent of the sick sometimes manifest ten atheromas or more.
A characteristic sign of atheroma is the appearance of a dense, tumor-like neoplasm located on the surface of the skin and absolutely painless. When pressing on the tumor with a finger, it can partially move. The skin usually does not change its color, however, if an inflammatory process is present, then they acquire a red tint. In some cases, especially with the rapid development of the tumor, the skin in this area may become covered with small ulcers. And sometimes in the center of the formation, a clogged duct of the sebaceous gland is clearly visible.
Atheromas can be small and not grow for several years, or they can gradually increase, developing into large tumors.
Sometimes curdled yellowish-white masses with an unpleasant odor are released through the opening of the atheroma.
Quite often, such formations suppurate, which causes the development of an inflammatory process, resulting in redness of the skin at the site of atheroma, swelling, pain, and an increase in the size of the tumor itself.
Such neoplasms often break through, releasing pus with jelly-like contents and an unpleasant odor.
Sometimes the infection spreads to nearby tissues, turning into phlegmon.
If the atheroma has festered, it should be removed as soon as possible. It should be borne in mind that after such operations, rough scars remain on the skin, since it is impossible to apply sutures, and the incision made heals through granulation. In addition, with suppuration, it is not always possible to completely remove the capsule, and this often leads to the recurrence of the disease. Also, with the appearance of purulent discharge, patients are prescribed antibacterial drugs.
Therefore, it is advisable to seek medical help as soon as possible when removing atheromas, then negative cosmetic defects in the tumor area can be avoided.
Very rarely, with the development of such a tumor, a rupture of the cystic junction is possible, which also requires immediate surgical intervention. In extremely rare cases, benign atheromas develop into malignant tumors.
Methods of treatment and removal of atheromas
There are no non-surgical treatments for these tumors. To completely get rid of the tumor, it is necessary to completely remove it along with the capsule by surgery. There are several options for removing atheroma:
- surgical intervention, including complete exfoliation of the capsule;
- laser removal;
- removal by radio wave.
The most effective and modern method is radio wave removal of atheroma. Its principle is to influence the tumor with high-frequency radio waves. It is in many ways similar to laser coagulation, but it works a little differently.
The advantages of this method are:
- the operation takes only twenty to thirty minutes;
- getting rid of atheroma in hard-to-reach places: in the folds of the skin, in the groin;
- absence of scars on the skin after the procedure;
- lack of bleeding, as the vessels are immediately cauterized; the procedure allows you to adjust the depth of penetration and the degree of pressure of the electrode, which eliminates injury to healthy areas of the skin;
- short rehabilitation period.
After the operation, a dry crust forms on the affected areas, which, when completely healed, disappears by itself. Since there is no bleeding with this method and there are no open wounds, the risk of introducing any infection is minimal, and therefore healing occurs in a fairly short period of time.
This allows the operation to be performed on an outpatient basis and the patient can return home within a few hours after the procedure.
How is the radio wave removal of atheroma
To carry out the removal of atheroma by the radio wave method, you must make an appointment with a dermatologist. During the initial examination, the doctor will conduct a differential diagnosis to exclude other possible dermatological diseases. After that, the patient is sent for an ultrasound scan, clinical urine and blood tests are prescribed, and tests are carried out for a possible allergy to anesthetic medications. If there are no contraindications for such a procedure, then the doctor appoints the time and date when the patient comes to the operation.
Carry out such a procedure according to the following scheme:
- All jewelry and metal objects must be removed before the procedure.
- The patient is placed on a couch or a special chair.
- A local anesthetic is injected into the skin in the area of atheroma.
- Atheroma is dissected with a radio wave scalpel and the formation is removed along with the capsule.
- The place of exposure to radio waves is treated with an antiseptic solution.
If desired, at a consultation with a doctor, the patient can watch a video that provides a complete description of the manipulation being performed.
In order not to expose yourself to the risk of a possible relapse and to protect yourself from infections after surgery, you must follow a few simple rules. You should not be directly exposed to ultraviolet rays until the wound is completely healed. When going outside, it is imperative to use a sunscreen with a high protection factor. It is advisable to refrain from going to saunas or a public pool during the rehabilitation period. The dry crust formed after the operation will fall off by itself after complete healing, and before that you should not touch it.
Contraindications to the procedure
Contraindications to radio wave removal of atheroma are:
- the presence of a pacemaker;
- acute diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory tract;
- purulent-inflammatory processes in the area of atheroma;
- oncological diseases;
- hepatitis of various nature;
- viral skin lesions;
- psoriasis or eczema;
- period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Before performing the operation, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a comprehensive examination in order to exclude the presence of possible contraindications.
Summing up
Radio wave removal of atheroma is the fastest and most effective way to get rid of benign neoplasms. After this method, healing occurs in an extremely short time without the possibility of infection, since there is no bleeding during the operation and there is no open wound. Such an operation does not require the use of surgical instruments and does not require skin incisions. Before the procedure, it is only necessary to undergo some research in order to exclude the presence of contraindications. And after it – carefully and responsibly follow all the recommendations of a specialist, and then atheroma will never bother you again.