National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Syringoma

Not a rare disease Not a rare disease
Syringomas are firm yellowish, translucent, or skin colored papules that are often found on the face, particularly around the eyes, but may also appear elsewhere on the face, in the armpits, umbilicus, upper chest, and genitalia.[1] They arise from the sweat ducts and may occur suddenly in crops or multiples.[2][3] There are 4 types of syringoma: a localized form, a form associated with Down syndrome, a generalized form that encompases multiple and eruptive syringomas, and a familial form. Syringomas are usually asymptomatic; However, rarely, individuals can experience extreme itching (pruritus), especially while sweating.[4] They are found more commonly in Caucasians, and in females at puberty or near middle-age.[2][3] Syringomas may be treated surgically using different methods such as high frequency electric current (electrosurgery) or laser.[1]
Last updated: 11/14/2016

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormality of the skin 0000951
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
People with syringomas have a variety of surgical treatment options, including high frequency electric current (electrosurgery) and laser surgery. As individuals with syringoma usually do not have symptoms, treatment is typically considered cosmetic. The goal of treatment is to destroy the tumor with little to no scarring or recurrence; however, syringomas may be located deep within the skin (dermis), therefore complete removal is often difficult and recurrence is common.[1][4]
Last updated: 11/14/2016

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Syringoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Syringoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Resources for Kids

Diagrams/Images

  •  An image of syringoma is available on the Visual Dx Health Web site. Click on Visual Dx Health to view the image.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question


  1. Oakley, Amanda. Syringoma. DermNet New Zealand. http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/syringoma/. Accessed 11/14/2016.
  2. Guldbakke KK. Woman with translucent to yellow papules. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Jul;
  3. Lee KK, Mehrany K, Swanson NA. Recognition and treatment of skin lesions. In: Cummings. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby, Inc; 2005;
  4. Shea, CR. Syringoma. Medscape. Jun 06, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1059871. Accessed 11/14/2016.