Introduction
The sebaceous gland hyperplasia is a benign growth of the sebaceous glands. It is usually found on the face, but can also be found on other parts of the body. A distinction is made between presenile and senile sebaceous gland hyperplasia.
Presenile sebaceous gland hyperplasia usually occurs in younger and middle age, whereas senile sebaceous gland hyperplasia occurs after the age of 35. Sebaceous glands are normally not visible to the naked eye. They are located in our skin and produce sebum, which is important for the skin barrier. In sebaceous gland hyperplasia, the sebaceous glands are enlarged for various reasons and are tactile and visible as raised, yellowish papules. The term papule refers to a proliferation of the skin that rises above the skin level.
Causes of sebaceous gland hyperplasia
There are several causes that can lead to sebaceous gland hyperplasia. Senile sebaceous gland hyperplasia usually develops at the bottom of immunosuppression. Immunosuppression is the term used to describe conditions in which the immune system is suppressed.
This can be the case, for example, in the context of certain diseases, including bone marrow diseases, or due to medication. Senile sebaceous gland hyperplasia is most common in people who are receiving drug therapy with active ingredients that suppress the immune system. A connection was observed, for example, with the intake of the drug Ciclospoprin A.
The intake of such drugs is necessary for a wide variety of diseases. These include autoimmune diseases or severe neurodermatitis, for example. In particular, seborrhoics seem to be affected by senile sebaceous gland hyperplasia.
Seborrhoics are patients suffering from the so-called seborrhoeic eczema. This skin disease mainly affects sebaceous skin, where many sebaceous glands are found. The exact origin of the disease is currently still the subject of research.
However, both genetic and environmental factors seem to play an important role. Furthermore, men are more frequently affected than women. Presenile sebaceous gland hyperplasia affects almost exclusively men and is also more common in patients with seborrheic dermatitis.
In addition, presenile sebaceous gland hyperplasia occurs more frequently after organ transplantation under immunosuppressive therapy with Ciclosporin. This frequently used drug is necessary after organ transplantation to prevent the rejection of the organ by the body’s own immune system. However, this suppression of the immune system can lead to sebaceous gland hyperplasia.
