Lipomas are fatty deposits that accumulate beneath the skin. In the majority of cases they are completely benign, but the protruding lump that they form can be quite unsightly. They are soft and can be moved about under the skin and most frequently appear on the neck, back, shoulders and thighs. They are usually painless, but may cause pain if they grow too large and exert pressure on any nerves.
The majority of lipomas are small, usually under 1 cm in diameter but can grow up to 6 cm or more. They usually occur in people over the age of 40 but cases affecting children have also been reported. In some circles it is thought that lipomas may turn cancerous but there is as yet no corroborating evidence for this. However, before trying any home remedies for lipomas, it is still better to have them checked by a doctor to rule out any possibility of a malignancy.
Medical science has not yet been able to find out the exact causes of lipomas. While genetic factors may play a role in some cases, the other factors that are associated with lipomas are unknown.
Since lipomas can appear to be quite disfiguring especially those appearing on the exposed areas of the body, most people want to get them removed. While there are several conventional treatments available including surgery, laser treatment and liposuction, many people prefer to try alternative remedies to either remove or lessen the size of the lipomas.
Here are some suggested home remedies for you can try that may help to reduce the size of the lipomas.
The first step is to change your diet and reduce your fat intake. While there is no supporting evidence that excessive fat in the diet can cause lipomas, it still makes sense to reduce fats in the diet as lipomas are formed by fatty tissue. Your overall health will also improve with the reduction in fats from your diet and you may also end up losing weight as an additional bonus. So remove fatty meats such as pork and beef from your diet and eat only lean meat such as fish and poultry.
Certain herbal remedies are available that claim to lower fat levels. One such fat burner is green tea. Drinking lots of green tea will also provide your body with plenty of antioxidants that can help protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals. Another herbal fat burner that has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine is Indian bedellium. It is reputed to increase thyroid activity and for this reason shouldn’t be taken by anyone with a thyroid condition.
You can use any of these herbs along with the dietary changes and regular exercise to reduce fat levels in your body. In addition to these steps you should also take steps to boost your body’s immune system. This will enable your body to deal more effectively with toxins which may be one of the culprits responsible for lipomas. Immune boosters such as Echinacea can help accomplish this but should not be taken for more that 4 to 6 weeks.
Other home remedies that can be used include castor oil and flaxseed oil. Some people swear by castor oil, saying that regular application on the lipomas has helped to reduce the size and in some cases even get rid of the offending protuberance. Others swear by flaxseed oil with its high omega-3 content that may help to prevent the growth of fatty tissue.
Another remedy that is popular in Ayurveda is turmeric. Some Ayurvedic practitioners suggest applying turmeric paste in combination with olive oil to the lipomas. The lipomas will gradually soften over the course of a few weeks and may even disappear.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that homeopathy can provide a solution.
Whichever method you decide on, be sure to consult your doctor about possible side effect.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.