Atheroma in a baby

Atheroma in a child may be caused by increased activity of the sebaceous glands. Hypersecretion of glandulae sebacea is associated with a hereditary factor, it is also typical for adolescence, puberty, when there is rapid growth of organs, systems and changes in the hormonal system of the child.

Parents should not be alarmed if they notice an unusual tumor or bulge on their child's body. If a dermatologist diagnoses this phenomenon as an atheroma, there is no reason to worry, since such cysts are considered retention neoplasms of the sebaceous glands from the category of benign tumors. An atheroma in a child can be very small or grow to large sizes. The most typical localization of a cyst is the head (hairy part, ears), face, neck, and much less often the groin area.

An atheroma may not change its size for a long time, a subcutaneous cyst increases in case of trauma, mechanical rubbing with clothes, bruise, blow. In such cases, an atheroma in a child may become inflamed and even suppurate. An abscess is prone to spontaneous opening, but such a process cannot be considered therapeutically competent, since the cyst has a capsule that is prone to secondary filling with secretion and blockage of the excretory duct of the sebaceous gland. There is also a risk of infection for an inflamed atheroma, when the cyst can transform into phlegmon. Such inflammations are difficult for a child to tolerate and require immediate treatment. An inflamed atheroma in the groin area, in the facial area (nasolabial triangle) is especially dangerous, these neoplasms should be diagnosed in a timely manner, constantly monitor the condition of the skin, and in case of rapid growth - operate.

Atheroma does not respond to conservative treatment, in children it is removed according to indications, a strict indication is an abscessing cyst. The initial stage of cyst formation, when the atheroma is small and not accompanied by pain, can be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist or pediatrician. It is believed that it is most appropriate to operate on atheroma at the age of 5-7 years, despite the fact that excision of the neoplasm is carried out under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, for a small child this can be a strong stress.

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Atheroma in a newborn

The baby's skin is an organ that protects it from primary environmental influences. It is the skin that is exposed to various thermal, chemical, tactile influences, and it reacts to all factors with various rashes and redness.

A true sebaceous gland cyst – atheroma, is formed regardless of the age criterion, but the process of blockage of the excretory duct itself can also be caused by a congenital factor. Atheroma in a newborn mostly develops as a cyst from epidermal cells. The so-called milia – milia can be seen from the first day of birth, they are observed in every second newborn baby and are not considered a pathological formation. These rashes are associated with stagnation of sebum in the glands due to their active functioning and hypersecretion. In turn, hypersecretion is explained by the fact that the total number of sebaceous glands in an infant is on average 6-8 times greater than in an adult. These glands are very small, characterized by a single-lobed structure and close location to the outer layer of the skin. By the 11-12th month of life, the secretion of the glands decreases, the lobes begin to decrease and atrophy, and by the age of one and a half years their function is noticeably reduced. A secondary surge of hypersecretion and activation of the sebaceous glands in a child occurs already during puberty.

Atheroma in a newborn looks like small, pointed, white rashes with a pearlescent tint. Localization of atheromatous rash - cheeks, forehead, nose, nasolabial folds, possibly in the head area (back of the head) or groin. Atheromas are very small, grouped into multiple bubbles, the skin around them can become inflamed, up to suppuration. Milia are usually not treated, they go away on their own, such atheromas are often called estrogenic acne, since they can presumably arise as a hereditary hormonal factor transmitted from mother to child.

The main danger of atheromatous rash in infants is the risk of infection, especially if small rashes form in areas prone to prickly heat. The leading method of treatment is considered to be compliance with hygiene rules, periodic gentle antiseptic treatment of skin areas where atheromas are visible. Atheromas in a child that do not disappear by 1.5-2 years should be examined more thoroughly to detect dermoid congenital neoplasms. More detailed recommendations should be obtained from the attending pediatrician.

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