Archive · 23 May 2025
6 Symptoms of High Cholesterol Seen in Body and Face
High cholesterol sometimes has visible signs.
It can cause yellow bumps near your eyes, or a gray ring around the colored part of your eye.
Sometimes, the skin may look yellow.
It can also lead to little yellow bumps or a net-like blue/purple pattern on the skin.
If you notice any of these, it's best to see a doctor to check your cholesterol levels because high cholesterol can lead to heart problems.
Yellowish patches or bumps (xanthelasma) may appear around the eyelids.
A gray or white ring around the cornea (corneal arcus or arcus senilis) can be a sign.
Small, yellowish bumps (xanthomas) may form on the skin due to cholesterol buildup.
Skin discoloration or yellowish pigmentation (xanthoderma) may be observed.
Blue or purple net-like patterns can emerge due to cholesterol embolization syndrome.
Sudden clusters of small, red or yellow bumps (eruptive xanthomas) can occur.
- Who
- People with high cholesterol.
- What
- Several visible signs, like yellowish bumps and skin discoloration, that may indicate high cholesterol.
- When
- When cholesterol levels are high for a period of time.
- Where
- On the eyelids, skin, and around the eyes.
- Why
- Due to cholesterol buildup or blockages in blood vessels.
- General Note
- May not cause visible symptoms.
- High Cholesterol Level
- 200 mg/dL or higher
- Borderline High Cholesterol
- 200-239 mg/dL
- Xanthelasma Cause
- Fatty deposits under the skin
- Corneal Arcus Cause
- Cholesterol deposits in the cornea