Wen is a benign growth of adipose tissue. Usually on the face they are presented as white formations in the form of pimples with moving contents.
Wen is not dangerous to human life, but the cosmetic defect forces patients to look for remedies to eliminate the problem. The most common location is the area under the eyes and on the eyelids. Otherwise, wen is called lipoma or lipoblastoma.
What is a wen
A fatty tissue, or lipoma as it is also called, is an accumulation of fatty tissue under the skin. This is a benign, painless neoplasm that a person may not notice immediately, but only when it has already reached an impressive size.
It affects both women and men, with the only difference being that in women wen most often appears on the body, and in men on the face. In most cases, lipomas appear under the skin, but they can also be in the skin and inside organs.
Subcutaneous lipoma is characterized by slow growth, which is why it may not be noticed immediately, and a long period of painlessness, i.e. a person may not notice a tumor on the body until it reaches 10 mm and begins to cause discomfort, having a negative impact on organs and tissues nearby.
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Operational methods of combating wen
Surgical intervention is indicated in cases of:
- Growth of lipoma on the leg.
- Traumatic education.
- Presence of physical discomfort.
- The formation causes pain.
- For large wen sizes.
When removing a tumor measuring 15 cm or more, general anesthesia is used. The choice of procedure depends on the patient’s condition and the lipoma itself.
There are 5 types of surgery:
- Classic - using an incision through which the capsule with its contents is removed, after which a suture is applied. Disadvantages include frequent relapses, scars and a long rehabilitation period. Contraindications include poor blood clotting, pregnancy and lactation.
- Radio wave - through the use of a radio wave knife. With its help, the formation is affected, the capsule and its contents are removed. The procedure is absolutely safe and painless, eliminating the possibility of bleeding and scar formation. Rehabilitation lasts 4-5 days. A contraindication is the presence of a pacemaker.
- Endoscopic – removal is carried out by introducing a special optical device – an endoscope – into the tumor. Thanks to him, the surgeon has the opportunity to remove the entire contents of the lipoma without harming nearby tissues. The main advantages are non-traumatic, minimal duration of rehabilitation, low possibility of relapse, and absence of scars. The disadvantage is the high cost of treatment.
- Aspiration - the essence of the method is to pierce the wen and suck out the fat from the capsule without removing it out. The method is absolutely painless, but does not exclude relapses.
- Cryodestruction is a procedure that involves the use of nitrogen. The advantages include complete painlessness and a short rehabilitation period.
Causes
The main reason why this disease occurs is disturbances in the functioning of the sebaceous glands, as well as heredity. Experts note the connection between the occurrence of this problem and the use of cosmetics that are not suitable for the skin type, i.e. is not selected taking into account individual characteristics, but is bought at random.
Using some oils, such as flaxseed or coconut oil, on your skin can clog your pores, which increases your risk of developing small bumps on your face. If the reason is not cosmetics or improper care, then you need to look for it inside.
Diseases such as:
- diabetes;
- weak immunity;
- lack of protein and vitamins;
- bad habits such as smoking;
- age after 40 years;
- ionizing radiation.
Drug therapy
Wen on the face appears with a diameter from 1-2 mm to 20-25 cm or more. This technique is used when the lipoma does not exceed 3 cm in diameter. The fatty tissue is pierced with a syringe. A Diprospan capsule is injected inside (in its pure form or together with Lidocoine for pain relief). The course of treatment includes 3 or more procedures.
Contraindications for this procedure are:
- Hypertension.
- Herpes.
- Diabetes.
- Individual intolerance to the drug.
- AIDS.
- Nephritis.
- Psychosis.
- Kidney diseases.
- Poor blood clotting.
- Stomach ulcer.
A significant disadvantage of such therapy is that you can see the result only after 2-3 months.
Is it possible to squeeze out a wen?
Doctors do not recommend squeezing out wen on your face yourself. But they can tell you how to get rid of them at home.
If you squeeze out on your own, there is a high risk of infection and relapse.
When you try to get rid of the problem at home, the skin is injured, which can cause a scar to appear and/or infection, then the formation will already be filled with purulent contents, and the affected area will become inflamed. In addition, it is unlikely that you will be able to completely get rid of this problem on your own, since removing the capsule in which the contents accumulate is not easy.
Features of the differences between milium and wen
Externally, both lipoma and milia look like a white nodule without pain. So-called whiteheads are common on the delicate skin of newborns, including as a manifestation of hormonal changes during this period.
Composition of sebum in milia:
- monobasic carboxylic acids;
- natural polycyclic lipophilic alcohol;
- glycerides;
- glycerol;
- squalene;
- yellow-orange pigment.
They differ in the way they appear. Milia form on the surface of the epidermis of the face, while the wen is in a deeper layer - the hypodermis. The main difference is that milia arise at the mouth of the hair follicle and practically do not grow over time. Lipomas form on any area of the skin with a fatty layer and slowly but constantly continue to accumulate this tissue.
Can a wen resolve?
Cases of lipomas resolving on their own are quite rare. In medical practice, there were such cases, but only in those patients whose tumor size was insignificant, or in the case where the person did not have any pathological diseases that could provoke the growth of fat cells.
As for large formations, they can only be gotten rid of surgically.
And those that reach medium size (up to 5 cm in diameter) are observed and periodically examined.
How to remove wen at home
If you decide to act independently, then you need to follow the rules to avoid undesirable consequences:
- Before you begin, you need to thoroughly clean your hands, tools and surrounding skin.
- It is better to make the hole with a special surgical needle - this way there is less chance of serious injury to the skin.
- If unpleasant sensations appear when touching the tumor, the operated area should be treated with Lidocaine.
- To remove the capsule, you need to make a small incision.
- Next, the wound is treated with alcohol and, if necessary, sealed.
How to remove a large wen
Large wen on the face (and other parts of the body), since it is impossible to get rid of them at home, are removed through surgery. During the operation, the capsule with its contents is removed. The risk of relapse in this case is very low.
You can get rid of them in other ways:
- Laser. During the operation, a small thin incision is made and the capsule is exposed to the laser. The surrounding tissues are not affected. After the surface of the lipoma has been treated with a laser, the doctor makes an incision, removes the contents and thermocoagulates the vessels, after which he applies two sutures and a bandage.
- Liposuction (used for small cones). The procedure involves suctioning out the contents through a puncture using a needle and electric suction.
- Radiomagnetic radiation (used to remove surface liposomes). The method is less traumatic for the skin and leaves no marks.
- Radio wave radiation (“Surgiton”). After the procedure, a crust remains on the skin, which quickly disappears.
- Electrocoagulation is the removal of a wen by applying an electric current to it. After the procedure, a crust forms, which falls off after a few days, leaving behind a pink spot, which also, over time, passes without leaving a trace.
Cosmetic procedures for removing wen
A small seal can be removed using conservative therapy - ointments or injection of a special solution (Diprospan). The disadvantage of the procedure is the duration of the course - from 1 month to 3-4. There is a high risk of recurrence, which will require a repeat procedure.
Cosmetology offers the following manipulations on the wen for its resorption:
Ultrasonic facial cleansing
- facial cleansing with an ultrasonic device or mechanically using special equipment;
- peeling procedure - glycolic, retinoic or microdermabrasive;
- physiotherapeutic manipulations;
- laser resurfacing of the facial skin.
Larger tumors must be removed surgically:
- Excision of the wen using sectoral resection is carried out under local anesthesia. The lipoma is removed with a capsule. The edges of the wound are sutured. The disadvantage of the procedure is postoperative scars.
- Endoscopic removal is a gentle operation. Using a special mini endoscope, the contents of the capsule are removed and the consequences of the procedure are examined. The capsule remains inside the subcutaneous epithelium, which increases the risk of relapse.
- Can be removed by liposuction procedure. A puncture is made in the skin to insert a lipoaspirator, through which the contents of the capsule are removed. Rarely used due to the risk of recurrence of the pathology.
- Laser therapy is used to excise formations up to 30 cm. Under the influence of a laser, the structure of the wen is destroyed, which leads to a gradual disappearance. The procedure lasts 5-15 minutes.
- Electrocoagulation – desquamation of a lipoma by exposure to a high-frequency current discharge. Anesthesia is required to reduce pain.
The choice of method for removing a wen depends on the location and the type of growth into the depths of the skin. The doctor also takes into account the patient’s physical characteristics and age.
Medicinal ointments
In the early stages, when the wen on the face is still small, you can get rid of it at home, by using such remedies as decoctions, masks and compresses. It is possible to use alcohol tinctures, for example salicylic alcohol, as well as iodine (apply pointwise). But you need to remember that if the problem concerns the eyelid or eye, then these products are prohibited from being used.
It is also impossible to squeeze out lipomas in these places, as you may lose your vision. You can get rid of tumors in the facial area using various ointments.
Vishnevsky ointment
It contains castor oil (base), tar and xeroform. A small amount of ointment is squeezed onto a medium-sized piece of gauze and applied to the affected area for 12 hours.
The procedure is carried out for 3 days, rest for 2 days. The result is that the contents are pulled out. Moreover, this remedy helps not only in the initial stages, but also when the disease is already advanced.
Vitaon
This product contains:
- thyme;
- chamomile;
- mint;
- fennel;
- celandine;
- sagebrush.
This tandem of medicinal herbs is an excellent alternative to Vishnevsky ointment. The product has no contraindications. Effectively draws out the contents without leaving scars or marks on the skin.
Ichthyol ointment and Levomekol
They also have the property of drawing the contents of the capsule to the surface.
Badyaga
It can be used as an independent product or as part of various ointments and balms. Has a healing, anti-inflammatory effect. Due to its healing properties, it is used as a prophylaxis for a large number of diseases, as well as after surgical operations. This product is made from animal ingredients.
Has a warming effect. When used in the head area, you should be extremely careful, since one of the side effects is hyperthermia. In addition, experts advise using medications such as Happyderm, Levosin and Actovegin to treat wen.
How to make a cream based on pharmaceutical ointments
At home, you can make a cream based on ointments sold in pharmacies. To do this, you need to take Vishnevsky and Ichthyol ointment in equal quantities. Mix well and add a few drops of aloe juice. Apply several times a day until the lipoma comes out.
Compresses and masks
The following masks and compresses have proven themselves to be effective:
- Dairy. 1 tsp red clay should be mixed with 1 tsp. sour milk and spread on the seal. After 2-3 hours, the mass is washed off with cool water;
- Made from honey, with the addition of sour cream and salt. The ingredients must be taken in equal proportions, combined and applied to the skin, rinsed with warm water after 40 minutes;
- From onions and soap. The onion needs to be cooked in the oven and mashed with a fork, grate the soap. The ingredients are mixed, placed on gauze and applied to the sore spot. A film is applied on top and wrapped with a bandage. This procedure should be done either only before bed, or changed 2 times a day;
- Vinegar and iodine. Mix iodine and vinegar in equal quantities and wipe the affected area several times a day;
- With hydrogen peroxide. A 3% solution is suitable for a compress. For 10 days, apply a cotton swab to the tumor. In a month the lump should go away;
- Butter-garlic. 2 cloves of garlic are grated, add 1 tsp. oils, mix thoroughly and apply to the lipoma. After 20 minutes, wash off with soap and water;
- Made from lard and garlic. 1 tsp garlic juice and 1 tbsp. melted lard are mixed. The resulting mixture is applied to the lipoma several times a day;
You can try to get rid of a wen on the face using conservative means if it has not reached a medium or large size. At home, for example, an ointment made from melted lard and garlic can help. - Beetroot compress. Raw beets need to be grated on a fine grater. The resulting paste is applied to the affected area, covered with film and secured with an adhesive plaster. This procedure should be done for 3-5 days, leaving the compress on overnight. Soon the lipoma should come out;
- From aloe. The plant needs to be cut lengthwise and applied to the wen for several hours, or better yet, overnight. If the procedure is carried out regularly, after about a week the lump will become smaller, and then it can be removed by puncture with a sterile surgical needle;
- With black pepper. It is recommended to use only freshly ground product. A pinch of pepper should be poured onto cotton wool and applied to the cone for 20 minutes. The lipoma will disappear in about three weeks;
- From egg films. Films of eggs need to be applied to the sore spot, put a piece of oilcloth on top, then a cloth and secure everything with a band-aid. The bandage needs to be changed 3-4 times a day. We can talk about the healing process when the lump enlarges and the skin around it becomes red;
- Cinnamon. Every day you need to eat 1 tbsp. cinnamon. This must be done until the problem disappears;
- Burdock root infusion. Burdock root needs to be crushed and taken 300 g, pour 0.5 liters of 70% alcohol, and put in a dark place for a month. During this time, the infusion should be shaken periodically. Next, the liquid is filtered and taken 20-30 minutes before meals, 2 times a day. Reception is stopped only when the problem completely disappears. But, as a rule, after two weeks the result will be visible;
- Lotion made from oil and vodka. To prepare the lotion you will need olive oil (2 tbsp) and vodka (2 tbsp). You need to smear 2 times a day;
- Decoction of birch broom. According to reviews of people who have tried this method, it is very effective. If the seal is found on the part of the head that is covered by the hair, then you can wash your hair with birch decoction, after letting it brew a little. After the first wash, the seal becomes smaller in size, and after the third it completely disappears. If the lump is on the face, then you need to wash your face with this decoction or make lotions;
- Compress with a golden mustache. The leaf of the plant should be washed, dried and kneaded a little, and then applied to the sore spot. It needs to be changed 2 times a day. The lump should completely resolve within 2 weeks.
What to do if you have inflammation of the wen
If the lump begins to sharply increase in size and hurt, the skin turns red, the body temperature rises, and an ulcer appears at the site of the lump, an inflammatory process is evident.
In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor, since complications can be disastrous, and sometimes this neoplasm turns from benign to malignant.
If the wen on the face became inflamed before the patient began to use folk remedies to get rid of it at home, an ulcer formed on the surface and it ruptured, then the affected area must be treated with an antiseptic, covered with a gauze bandage, and, in order to avoid infection , seek medical help as quickly as possible.
As a preventative measure, you should follow simple hygiene rules:
- Wash your face several times every day.
- Use only cosmetics whose quality is beyond doubt and which suits your skin type.
- Monitor your diet and be able to choose it correctly so that your nutrition is balanced.
- Do not miss scheduled examinations with specialists of various specialties.
How to treat a wen in a child
Small wen may appear in children under one year of age on the nose or eyelids. The reason for their appearance is the immaturity of the child’s hormonal system. These types of wen go away on their own over time. Internal acne that appears on the gums does not require treatment. They will go away on their own as soon as the baby starts teething.
If a tumor is discovered in the ear, then you cannot postpone a visit to the doctor.
If the child is still small, the formations have appeared recently and are small in size, the doctor will prescribe conservative treatment. It consists of following a diet based on foods containing fiber and vitamins, as well as using ointments, the function of which is to treat the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands. Traditional methods can be used, for example, onions with soap or aloe.
If in the case of wen on the face there are recipes on how to get rid of them at home, then if a tumor appears on the back of the head, neck, or chest, it is dangerous to waste time. It can only be eliminated surgically in order to avoid the consequences associated with the harmful effects of lipoma on blood vessels.
Lipoma at first glance seems like a harmless disease, but complications can arise if the formation increases or becomes inflamed. Then you need to act immediately.
Types of wen on the face
There are several different types of tumor; we will tell you about the main ones that can be found on the face.
- Milium. It is a single neoplasm that resembles a small pimple, but unlike the latter, it has non-purulent contents and is located deeper in the skin. Such wen are popularly nicknamed “whiteheads”. They occur mainly on the cheeks, chin, T-zone, and under the eyes. Milia resemble millet grains, which is why they are also called millet. They can be white or yellow.
- Xanthomas. Unlike milia, which prefers to be alone on the skin, xanthomas like to merge into a large group. However, they are not as convex as milia and are yellowish plaques under the skin. They have their own varieties within the nosological group; they can appear not only on the face, but also on the body, even on the palms. As a rule, xanthomas affect the skin of older people and are associated with lipid metabolism disorders with elevated blood cholesterol levels
- Xanthelasmas. This term refers to xanthomas that appear on the eyelids.
- Atheroma. This is a tumor of the sebaceous gland, it is a capsule with fatty deposits. Atheromas are located quite close to the surface of the skin and have communication with the external environment, so often pus can also accumulate in it.
Each type of lipoma can cause inconvenience (physical and psychological), and under certain circumstances, become inflamed.