Hi all, I have read through this case report on this 19 year old boy with steatocystoma mulitplex, and found it to be quite helpful to those who wants to know more about the condition. I have enclosed the link below.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/CEArticle?an=01412499-201303000-00004&Journal_ID=849729&Issue_ID=1534302
Friday 12 December 2014
Saturday 22 November 2014
Treatment options
It's been sometime since I have updated, sorry all but I'm kind of busy lately. Not to worry though, I will make it a point to continue to update this space.
I have come across this specific method for the extraction of the cysts. I will attach a link to the pdf stipulating the method below. You guys can discuss with your dermatologist regarding this extraction method. It seem to be a fast way (about 1 min per cyst), and outlook after surgery is good. Hypopigmentation with little recurrence, as the extraction method involves the scrapping of the sebaceous glands and extraction of cyst wall.
Of course, I won't be undergoing this just yet. But definitely I will discuss this with my derm should I seek further treatments.
To those who are interested the link is as such:
http://www.pachyonychia1.org/Bibliography/PDFFiles/Lee,%20S.%20(2007).pdf
SM is not the end of the world, we can overcome this together :)
I have come across this specific method for the extraction of the cysts. I will attach a link to the pdf stipulating the method below. You guys can discuss with your dermatologist regarding this extraction method. It seem to be a fast way (about 1 min per cyst), and outlook after surgery is good. Hypopigmentation with little recurrence, as the extraction method involves the scrapping of the sebaceous glands and extraction of cyst wall.
Of course, I won't be undergoing this just yet. But definitely I will discuss this with my derm should I seek further treatments.
To those who are interested the link is as such:
http://www.pachyonychia1.org/Bibliography/PDFFiles/Lee,%20S.%20(2007).pdf
SM is not the end of the world, we can overcome this together :)
Saturday 9 August 2014
New Bumps!
Hello!
Recently, I have found some new cysts on the upper portion of my lower arm. Damn those bumps!
Until next time!
Recently, I have found some new cysts on the upper portion of my lower arm. Damn those bumps!
Until next time!
Friday 1 August 2014
What is Steatocystoma Multiplex?
Hi guys! It's been awhile since my first post, sorry for the late second post! I have been kinda busy lately, and thus contemplating updating this space. Another reason is I don't really like to talk about my SM, I just like to be busy (or doing nothing sometimes) to forget that I have SM.
So... the question is, what is Steatoycstoma Multiplex? (SM)
To answer the question simply, it is a hereditary, sometimes sporadic condition, where multiple cysts ranging from about 1mm to 4mm manifests itself usually on the extremities, namely the wrists, chests, abdomen, inner thighs, armpits etc.
Usual manifestations would be on the wrists, armpits, chest and abdomen areas. However, where sebaceous glands exist or are in abundance, cysts can manifest in those areas. (Good thing is those pesky cysts would not be able to grow on the soles or palms!)
My own personal SM started when I was undergoing puberty (about 14 years of age). I would notice those weird bumps under my wrists, and probably put it off afterwards, thinking that it was a normal thing for people to have. My SM "erupted", meaning to say it started to spread when I was around eighteen and a half. New bumps started to appear on my abdomen area, then slowly on my back and chest. During the "eruption" period, the bumps on my wrists started to grow more prominent as well. Now, I have them mostly on my back, abdomen and wrists, with some sparingly on my chests, armpits and approximately less than 5 on my lower neck area.
This led me to think that there could be a dormant phase in Steatocystoma Multiplex when it first starts to manifest itself, and then an "eruption / flaring" phase where cysts start to appear in other areas of the body. I would also like to believe that as one is older, the spreading of SM cysts start to diminish. This would be true for most conditions, there would however be exceptions as from some cases online.
The "eruption / flaring" phase tends to differ in different individuals. I have a friend (a little older than me) who has the same bumps under the wrist (he has no idea he has SM; just finds the bumps weird), however his SM does not seem to have "flared up" yet. Thus, the manifestation of SM differs in individuals, which might be due to environmental factors or genetic make up.
As can been seen from the photos above, the cysts appear quite small (generally about 1mm to 4mm, tho some tend to clusterfuck together!), therefore I would deem them to be pretty manageable. A good dermatologist should be able to extract them out permanently with minimal scaring. However, my chest area is very prone to scaring and the cysts there are abit larger though lesser in quantity. Again, different individuals will have different manifestations, including size, quantity, areas and growth of cysts.
This is a poorly understood condition, therefore I hope this blog of mine will exist as a platform for all SM sufferers to come together and share their experience. I hope you all will stay with me throughout this entire journey. I know we need the support of one another. My next few posts I will be posting more about SM. Toodles! :)
So... the question is, what is Steatoycstoma Multiplex? (SM)
To answer the question simply, it is a hereditary, sometimes sporadic condition, where multiple cysts ranging from about 1mm to 4mm manifests itself usually on the extremities, namely the wrists, chests, abdomen, inner thighs, armpits etc.
Usual manifestations would be on the wrists, armpits, chest and abdomen areas. However, where sebaceous glands exist or are in abundance, cysts can manifest in those areas. (Good thing is those pesky cysts would not be able to grow on the soles or palms!)
My own personal SM started when I was undergoing puberty (about 14 years of age). I would notice those weird bumps under my wrists, and probably put it off afterwards, thinking that it was a normal thing for people to have. My SM "erupted", meaning to say it started to spread when I was around eighteen and a half. New bumps started to appear on my abdomen area, then slowly on my back and chest. During the "eruption" period, the bumps on my wrists started to grow more prominent as well. Now, I have them mostly on my back, abdomen and wrists, with some sparingly on my chests, armpits and approximately less than 5 on my lower neck area.
Cysts on my wrist; under normal lighting.
Cysts on my wrist; skin taut under normal lighting (Close up)
Cysts on my wrists; skin taut under bright white light
This led me to think that there could be a dormant phase in Steatocystoma Multiplex when it first starts to manifest itself, and then an "eruption / flaring" phase where cysts start to appear in other areas of the body. I would also like to believe that as one is older, the spreading of SM cysts start to diminish. This would be true for most conditions, there would however be exceptions as from some cases online.
The "eruption / flaring" phase tends to differ in different individuals. I have a friend (a little older than me) who has the same bumps under the wrist (he has no idea he has SM; just finds the bumps weird), however his SM does not seem to have "flared up" yet. Thus, the manifestation of SM differs in individuals, which might be due to environmental factors or genetic make up.
As can been seen from the photos above, the cysts appear quite small (generally about 1mm to 4mm, tho some tend to clusterfuck together!), therefore I would deem them to be pretty manageable. A good dermatologist should be able to extract them out permanently with minimal scaring. However, my chest area is very prone to scaring and the cysts there are abit larger though lesser in quantity. Again, different individuals will have different manifestations, including size, quantity, areas and growth of cysts.
This is a poorly understood condition, therefore I hope this blog of mine will exist as a platform for all SM sufferers to come together and share their experience. I hope you all will stay with me throughout this entire journey. I know we need the support of one another. My next few posts I will be posting more about SM. Toodles! :)
Sunday 25 May 2014
First Post!
Hello everyone! It has been sometime since I created this blog and finally now I'm to make my first post. Anyway for starters, I should introduce myself first shouldn't I?
I have been a sufferer of Steatocystoma Mulitplex for about four years. It has been a horrible journey, looking at all those little cysts grow, and being able to do nothing about it. Finally, I knew the meaning of helplessness. Like most of us would do, I went online looking for what disease it was, and I settled on Keratosis Pilaris. The symptoms seemed pretty similar, bumps on skins... checked! It wasn't till I visited a dermatologist then did reality hit me hard. He told me I had Steatocystoma Multiplex and that it was hereditary, and there was no cure! He gave me some anti - bacteria shower and sent me off.
For the past years, I scoured the net for treatments, diets, basically anything that could get rid or control this horrible condition, to no avail that is. Also, I realised support online is so scarce for this condition, and this is the reason why I created this blog. Rather than dwell on this uncurable disease, I would rather be a support for others, to help others through what I had been through.
Over the next few posts, I will talk more about SM and myself. I will try to update frequently as well.
If you read this post, and would like to contact me regarding SM, or perhaps just to send me a note of support. You may email me at iamnotsm2014@gmail.com.
To all sufferers of SM: We are not alone, We are not SM, SM does not define who we are, we are still ourselves! :)
I have been a sufferer of Steatocystoma Mulitplex for about four years. It has been a horrible journey, looking at all those little cysts grow, and being able to do nothing about it. Finally, I knew the meaning of helplessness. Like most of us would do, I went online looking for what disease it was, and I settled on Keratosis Pilaris. The symptoms seemed pretty similar, bumps on skins... checked! It wasn't till I visited a dermatologist then did reality hit me hard. He told me I had Steatocystoma Multiplex and that it was hereditary, and there was no cure! He gave me some anti - bacteria shower and sent me off.
For the past years, I scoured the net for treatments, diets, basically anything that could get rid or control this horrible condition, to no avail that is. Also, I realised support online is so scarce for this condition, and this is the reason why I created this blog. Rather than dwell on this uncurable disease, I would rather be a support for others, to help others through what I had been through.
Over the next few posts, I will talk more about SM and myself. I will try to update frequently as well.
If you read this post, and would like to contact me regarding SM, or perhaps just to send me a note of support. You may email me at iamnotsm2014@gmail.com.
To all sufferers of SM: We are not alone, We are not SM, SM does not define who we are, we are still ourselves! :)
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