Cholesterol spots or deposits that you can notice around your eyes are bumps of fat that develop underneath your skin, usually in the inner canthus of the upper eyelid. They are also known as xanthelasma.
While one of the main causes of xanthelasma is a high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) in the body, it can also be due to genetic factors, diabetes, liver disease and other conditions.
People who have high cholesterol, cirrhosis or diabetes are at a higher risk of developing this problem. It’s also more common among people who are between 40 and 60 years old.
This problem does not cause pain or itching, but it may impede vision if the bump grows large enough.
As the affected area is normally very close to the eyes, surgery is not a recommended treatment. Plus, surgery can lead to scarring, which can be as upsetting as the appearance of the bump itself. Laser treatment is another possibility, but also carries the risk of scarring.
It is important to find out the cause of your xanthelasma and plan the treatment accordingly. For instance, if the cause is high cholesterol in the blood, you need to take steps to reduce your cholesterol level.
In the meantime, these home remedies can help minimize the appearance of or even remove the bumps.
1. GARLIC
The best and most popular home treatment for xanthelasma is garlic.
The enzymes present in garlic help flatten the small, bumpy deposits. Garlic is also beneficial for reducing a high cholesterol level.
A 2001 study published in the Journal of Nutrition indicates the cholesterol-lowering effects of garlic extract are in part from inhibition of hepatic cholesterol synthesis by water-soluble sulfur compounds.
- Slice up a garlic clove or crush a few garlic cloves to make a paste. Apply it on the affected area and cover with a gauze so the garlic doesn’t get into your eye. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash it off with warm water. Repeat once daily for a few days.
- Alternatively, crush a garlic tablet into a fine powder. Add a little water to form a paste and apply it on the affected area. Leave it on for about 1 hour before rinsing it off. Do this daily until you get the desired result.
- Also, you can eat 2 to 3 raw garlic cloves on an empty stomach daily. If you prefer to take a garlic supplement, always consult your doctor first.
2. CASTOR OIL
Another effective remedy to treat xanthelasma is castor oil. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil helps shrink the cholesterol deposits.
However, this oil works best on small deposits that are new.
- Soak a cotton ball in cold-pressed, pure castor oil.
- Apply it on the affected area, keeping your eyes closed.
- Massage for a few minutes and, if possible, secure the cotton ball in place with a bandage or tape.
- Leave it on overnight, and clean the area with warm water the next morning.
- Repeat this remedy daily until you are satisfied with the result.
3. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
If you have high cholesterol and it is the prime reason behind the cholesterol deposits near your eyes, apple cider vinegar is just what you need.
Apple cider vinegar helps reduce your LDL or the bad cholesterol level in the body. It liquefies the cholesterol and fat as well as aids the liver in removing toxins from the body.
Plus, the acetic acid in it is corrosive in nature, which helps remove the bumpy deposits.
- Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the affected area. Use an adhesive tape or bandage to hold the cotton ball in place. After 2 hours, remove the cotton ball and rinse the area with warm water. Do this a couple of times a day.
- Also, mix 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a little raw honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it twice daily.
- Note: If you have sensitive skin, dilute the apple cider vinegar with a little water before use.
4. FENUGREEK SEEDS
Fenugreek seeds are also effective at flattening cholesterol deposits until they disappear completely, mainly due to the seeds’ cholesterol-lowering properties.
- Soak 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water overnight. Drink this mixture first thing the next morning on an empty stomach. It will help reduce the level of bad cholesterol in your body. Repeat daily.
- Also, apply the water in which the fenugreek seeds were soaked overnight on the affected area. Massage the area gently with your fingertips, so that the water penetrates deep into the skin. Repeat daily.
5. ONIONS
This staple kitchen ingredient is another effective treatment, which you should surely give a try.
First of all, onions contain compounds that inhibit bad cholesterol and fat buildup, one of the main reasons behind this problem.
Secondly, their acidic nature helps flatten the bumpy deposits on the skin.
- Extract the juice from 1 onion, add a little salt to it and set it aside for a couple of hours. Before going to bed, apply it on the affected area, massage gently and leave it on overnight. The following morning, wash the area with warm water. Repeat daily.
- Also, mix 2 tablespoons of onion juice in a glass of water and drink it daily.
6. BANANA PEELS
To dissolve the cholesterol deposits around your eyes in a safe and natural manner, banana peels are very effective.
The peel has strong antioxidant properties and the enzymes in it help dissolve the bumpy deposits naturally.
- Cut out a small piece of a ripe banana peel.
- Carefully place the inside part of the peel over the cholesterol deposit.
- Use a bandage or tape to secure the peel and leave it on overnight.
- The next morning, remove the peel and wash the area with water.
- Repeat every night until the bump is no longer visible.
7. ALMONDS
As almonds have the potential to reduce LDL cholesterol in the body, they are also effective in reducing cholesterol spots around your eyes.
A 2011 study published in Nutrition Reviews found that consumption of tree nuts like almonds help reduce LDL cholesterol. The nutrients in almonds regulate enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis and bile acid production.
Add a little milk to 1 teaspoon of almond powder to form a paste. Apply it on the affected area and allow it to dry. With a wet finger, gently scrub off the paste. Repeat once daily.
Also, daily soak 4 or 5 almonds in water at night and eat in the morning as a part of your breakfast.
