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Fatty atrophy, or lipoatrophy, is the loss of fatty tissue in a specific area of the body, causing pitting, scarring, and bumps. It can be caused by medication, diseases, or other factors, and treatments include fat transfers and skin grafts. Doctors monitor patients for signs of fat loss as it can indicate adverse drug reactions or an underlying medical condition.
Fatty atrophy is the loss of fatty tissue in a localized area of the body. Also known as lipoatrophy or lipodystropoia, it can cause pitting, scarring, and bumps. Many things can cause fat to atrophy, and treatments are available for cases where it becomes a cosmetic problem. Doctors also monitor patients for signs of fat loss, as they can indicate adverse drug reactions or an increase in the severity of an underlying medical condition.
While fat loss might seem beneficial to some, fat atrophy is not weight loss. Fatty tissue breaks down in random areas of the body and can redistribute itself. Patients may develop a sunken, sunken appearance as the underlying physical structures become more visible. Pitting and scarring may appear over the area of fatty atrophy, creating an unsightly physical appearance. The patient may also experience discomfort and may be more susceptible to shivering due to loss of insulating tissue.
Some medications are linked to fat atrophy. HIV and AIDS medications are a common cause. Injections, especially of steroids such as cortisone, can also cause fat loss, with a corresponding sunken, pitted area. Injections are commonly given in the arm or buttocks and the patient may express unhappiness with the cosmetic changes in these regions of the body. It can be difficult to control or prevent this reaction, although doctors certainly take care when giving the injections.
Congenital and acquired diseases can also cause fat atrophy. Sometimes, redistribution of body fat is a diagnostic sign, and in other cases, it develops as the condition progresses. Continued fat loss can distort a patient’s physical appearance, especially if it occurs in places such as the face, where uneven fat distribution and scarring will be particularly visible. Your skin may change color, develop a cracked or wrinkled appearance, and undergo other physical changes as a result of fat loss.
One option for treating fat atrophy is a fat transfer from another area of the body to fill the void left after losing fat cells. This can normalize the patient’s appearance and increase comfort. Skin grafts are available for cases where the skin has scarring or discoloration. Changing your medication regimen can also help prevent further fat loss. Patients can work with their primary care physicians as well as counselors such as dermatologists to gain insight into how to manage fat loss while continuing to address the medical issue that caused it.
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