ConditionSkin, hair & nails
Syringoma
A syringoma is a small, harmless growth of sweat duct cells that forms a firm, skin-colored or yellowish bump 1 to 3 mm across. Syringomas usually appear in clusters on the lower eyelids and upper cheeks, most often in women from puberty onward. They do not turn into cancer and need no treatment, but many people have them removed for appearance. Because they sit deep in the skin, they tend to recur, and removal (laser, electrosurgery) carries some risk of scarring or color change.
Also called: Eccrine syringoma, sweat duct tumor, syringocystadenoma (older term)
At a glance
- What it is
- A benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth of eccrine sweat ducts.
- Where
- Lower eyelids and cheeks most often; also neck, chest, armpits, belly, scalp and vulva.
- Look
- Firm, smooth, skin-colored or yellowish bumps, 1 to 3 mm, often in clusters.
- Who gets them
- Mostly women, starting at puberty; more common in Asian populations and in Down syndrome.
- Treatment
- Optional; lasers, electrosurgery, excision or chemical peels. Recurrence is common.
When to get help
Book a routine appointment
- A single bump that is growing, bleeding, ulcerated or different from the others
- Sudden appearance of many bumps over the chest, neck or trunk (possible eruptive syringoma), to confirm the diagnosis
- Yellow flat plaques on the eyelids, which may be xanthelasma and warrant a cholesterol check
- Bumps on the vulva that itch, especially if they worsen during periods or pregnancy
- Wanting removal for cosmetic reasons, which should be done by an experienced dermatologist
Usually safe to manage at home
- Stable, small, skin-colored bumps under the eyes that have been present for months to years and are not bothering you
What a syringoma is
"Syringo-" means tube. A syringoma is a tangle of small ducts from eccrine sweat glands, embedded in thickened collagen in the dermis. Under the microscope, the ducts form a characteristic comma or tadpole shape. These growths are benign: they do not spread or become cancer. There is a very rare cancer called syringomatous carcinoma, but it is a different tumor, not a syringoma that has changed.
Appearance and where they occur
- small, firm, round or flat-topped bumps
- skin-colored, yellowish, or slightly brown in darker skin
- 1 to 3 mm, occasionally up to 5 mm
- usually symmetrical, in clusters on both lower eyelids
- not painful; occasionally itchy, especially in heat or with sweating
Types
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Localized (classic) | Clusters on the lower eyelids and cheeks |
| Generalized / eruptive | Crops of many bumps suddenly appearing on the neck, chest, belly or armpits, often in adolescents |
| Familial | Several family members affected |
| Down syndrome-associated | Much more common, often widespread |
| Genital (vulvar or penile) | May itch and change with hormones |
| Clear cell syringoma | Associated with diabetes |
Causes and risk factors
The exact cause is unknown. Possible factors include:
- Hormones: syringomas usually appear at puberty and can enlarge during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle; many contain progesterone receptors.
- Genetics: familial cases occur; they are more common in people of Asian descent.
- Down syndrome: up to about 1 in 5 people with Down syndrome have syringomas.
- Diabetes: linked to the clear cell type.
- Inflammation or injury may trigger eruptive forms.
Syringoma vs other bumps around the eyes
| Bump | Look | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Syringoma | Firm, skin-colored or yellowish, 1 to 3 mm, clusters | Deep and cannot be squeezed out |
| Milia | Pearly white, tiny round cysts | Superficial; can be extracted with a needle by a professional |
| Xanthelasma | Soft, flat, yellow plaques, often at the inner eyelid | Fatty deposits; may signal high cholesterol |
| Sebaceous hyperplasia | Yellow bumps with a central dip, on forehead and cheeks | Oil gland enlargement; adults over 40 |
| Flat warts | Flat, skin-colored or brown, often in lines | Viral; can spread with shaving or scratching |
| Trichoepithelioma | Skin-colored bumps around the nose | Hair follicle growth; may be inherited |
| Basal cell carcinoma | Pearly bump with visible blood vessels, may bleed | Usually single, grows, may ulcerate |
Diagnosis
A dermatologist usually recognizes syringomas by their look and location, sometimes with a dermatoscope (a handheld magnifier). A small skin biopsy confirms the diagnosis if the bumps are unusual, eruptive, or might be something else.
Syringoma removal and treatment
Treatment is optional and done for appearance. Because syringomas extend into the dermis, surface treatments often leave the deeper part behind, and recurrence is common. Treating the delicate eyelid skin also carries a risk of scarring, lighter or darker patches, and eyelid pulling. Choose an experienced dermatologist, and consider a test spot, particularly with darker skin.
| Method | How it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 or erbium laser | Vaporizes the bumps layer by layer | Common choice; multiple sessions; risk of pigment change |
| Fractional CO2 laser | Many tiny columns of treatment | Lower scarring risk; several sessions |
| Electrosurgery / electrodesiccation | Destroys tissue with a fine electric needle | Effective for small bumps; can scar |
| Radiofrequency ablation | Precise heat ablation | Similar to electrosurgery |
| Surgical excision | Cuts out larger bumps | Leaves small scars; used for few lesions |
| Chemical peels (TCA) | Applied to each bump | Variable results; repeat sessions |
| Cryotherapy | Freezing | Less used; pigment change risk |
| Topical atropine or retinoids | Reduce sweating or flatten bumps | Limited results; may help itching or eruptive forms |
Do not try to remove syringomas at home with needles, acids or "mole removal" products. These cause infection, scarring and pigment marks, especially around the eyes.
Outlook
Syringomas are harmless and usually stable for years. They may slowly increase in number. After removal, some bumps come back over months to years, and touch-up treatments may be needed.
Frequently asked questions
What causes syringomas under the eyes?
Syringomas are overgrowths of sweat gland ducts. The exact cause is unknown, but hormones play a role, since they typically appear at puberty and can grow in pregnancy. They also run in families, are more common in people of Asian descent and in Down syndrome, and are linked to diabetes in one type.
Are syringomas dangerous?
No. Syringomas are benign growths that do not turn into cancer or spread. They are a cosmetic concern only. A bump that grows quickly, bleeds or looks different from the others should be checked to make sure it is not another type of growth.
How do you get rid of syringomas?
A dermatologist can remove them with CO2 or erbium laser, electrosurgery, radiofrequency, chemical peels or surgical excision. Several sessions may be needed, and syringomas often recur because they extend deep into the skin. Home removal is unsafe and can cause scars.
What is the difference between syringoma and milia?
Milia are tiny white cysts filled with keratin that sit just under the surface and can be extracted. Syringomas are firm, skin-colored or yellowish growths of sweat ducts that sit deeper in the skin and cannot be squeezed out. Both commonly appear around the eyes.
Can syringomas go away on their own?
They rarely disappear on their own. Eruptive syringomas occasionally fade over time, but classic eyelid syringomas usually persist and may slowly increase in number. Treatment can remove or flatten them, though recurrence is common.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Syringoma
- DermNet: Syringoma
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: Syringoma
- American Academy of Dermatology: Bumps and growths on the skin
- Primary Care Dermatology Society: Syringoma