Milia are regularly mistaken for whiteheads, but they are tiny ‘Keratin’ filled cysts that form under our skin. They appear on our skin as small, yellowish, or white bumps that surely damage our daily confidence parameter. Milia are typically harmless and often go away on their own. It can be beneficial to understand what they are, why and where they appear, and how we could pay attention to them. This in-detail guide will help you know everything about milia, from the meaning and causes to treatment options and strategies to prevent them. 

Firstly, to gather some grammar wisdom, we need to know that “Milia” is the plural word for the multiple small cysts called milk spots. If there’s a single cyst or a single milk spot, then it is called ‘Milium’

Read More: White Spots on Skin: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Milia On Face

Milia On Face

Milia generally develops on facial areas such as the eye region, nasal area, cheeks, and forehead. The skin condition can infect areas all through the body including the torso and the male private areas along with the face. The tiny lesions are usually one to two millimeters (mm) in size and form rounded dome-shaped bumps on the skin. This skin element presents various hues between white and yellow. The skin appearance of milia differs from traditional pimples because these skin blemishes stay unswollen without causing any pain or itchiness. Such accumulations of keratin serve as skin traps that develop under the skin surface. An unappealing look represents the primary problem that people face when dealing with milia since these skin marks can be unsettling for some individuals.

Types Of Milia

Two main distinctions exist for milia between primary and secondary groups.

  1. Primary Milia: Primary Milia are milia that emerge without any skin disorder or trauma because of their spontaneous appearance. The occurrence of these skin bumps in infants is normal because they typically disappear automatically in the first few weeks to months after birth. Adults can develop these skin dimples too although it normally takes them longer to heal.
  1. Secondary Milia: Secondary Milia develops from traumatic skin events such as burn injuries and harsh skincare products as well as skin lesions. Such skin conditions as blistering diseases sometimes lead to their development. Secondary milia stays longer than the period for primary milia.

Other types of milia exist in addition to the primary and secondary forms.

  1. Neonatal Milia are extremely common among newborns and they naturally fade away in a few weeks.
  1. Juvenile Milia is the development of milia among older children.
  1. Milia en Plaque: This is a rare form of milia characterized by larger, raised patches of milia, often found on the ears or eyelids.

Symptoms Of Milia

  1. White Bumps On Face: On the skin surface milia manifest as small white or yellowish elevated bumps. The average dimensions of these bumps measure between 1 to 2 millimeters.
  1. No Pain Or Itching: The presence of milia bumps produces no experience of pain or itchiness just like skin lesions from pimples and other irritations. The main issue with milia exists only as a cosmetic distress.
  1. Common Affecting Areas: Milia develop mainly on the face but they can be spotted additionally on other areas of the body. The eyes and nasal areas together with cheeks and forehead are where these lesions occur most frequently.
  1. Redness Or Inflammation On The Skin: Milia development could lead to mild redness or inflammation only in rare cases but such symptoms occur when people touch these skin bumps or pick them. Such manifestations are not normally present during a typical situation.

How Common Is Milia & Who Does It Affect?

The development of milia occurs frequently along with specific age groups that this disorder impacts. The occurrence of milia is substantially prevalent among newborn children. The medical estimation shows that 40-50% of newborn infants face milia. Milia in this population age group, functions as regular and brief variations of skin health. The condition of Milia develops in all age groups encompassing children and young people together with adults. The condition mostly affects newborns yet adults can still develop them without as much frequency.

General Causes

  1. The Primary Cause: Trapped keratin beneath the skin surface serves as the principal reason for milia development. The enclosure of keratin proteins under the skin surface creates tiny cysts that become visible as milia. Although the mechanism behind keratin trapping remains uncertain various contributors have been linked to this process.
  1. Newborn Surface: The development of milia in newborns correlates with immature skin which cannot properly shed dead cells at that stage.
  1. Skin Trauma: Milia can develop after skin burn injuries or other traumatic damage to the skin surface because the tissue cannot function properly.
  1. Skin Care Products & Their Side Effects: Using heavy skincare products containing comedogenic (pore-clogging) elements among them can potentially lead to milia formation.
  1. Existence Of Skin Diseases: The presence of blistering diseases including epidermolysis bullosa, with their damage to skin tissue, makes individuals more likely to develop milia.
  1. The Role Of Genetics: Some people display natural genetic susceptibility toward developing milia according to research.

Diagnosis & Tests Of Milia

The diagnostic process of milia demands only basic visual evaluation by dermatologists alongside other healthcare specialists to confirm the diagnosis properly. The physician does not require additional tests for milia diagnosis because the skin condition presents distinctive characteristics. During evaluation, the doctor will typically request information about your healthcare background while asking which skincare materials you utilize. A skin biopsy becomes necessary only when the diagnosis proves uncertain to confirm another skin condition does not exist.

How To Treat Milia

In the majority of cases, milia will resolve on their own within a few weeks or months with no need for any treatment. The persistence of milia skin manifestations becomes longer in adults and older children. Several treatment options are available:

  • Waiting is acceptable when milia do not cause discomfort since they tend to heal naturally. Apply no treatment because it works well with newborn milia.
  • The application of topical retinoids that contain tretinoin aids skin cell turnover and enables dead skin cell shedding for dislodging trapped keratin.
  • Getting Chemical Peels is beneficial because the treatment incorporates chemical solutions into the skin to peel off the outer layer thus removing the milia.
  • A special process known as ‘microdermabrasion’ offers non-invasive skin surface exfoliation for milia treatment.
  • For extraction, a dermatologist or aesthetician selectively uses a sterile comedone extractor. It is advised that only a professional should perform the extraction process because the attempts from the untrained could cause scarring or infection.
  • Laser treatment serves as a potential therapy for people with excessive or refractory milia conditions.
  • Dermatologists or aestheticians use liquid nitrogen for cryotherapy to freeze milia as a method of destroying the cysts.

Home Remedies: Get Rid Of Milia At Your Home

Several home treatments exist that might help improve the way milia looks although professional medical care remains the most effective method.

  1. Cleansing: Washing your face twice daily with a smooth & non-comedogenic cleanser. 
  2. Usage of non-comedogenic products: Select non-comedogenic skincare products among all your cosmetic choices since these products resist pore blockages. (comedogenic- a substance that clogs the pores)
  3. Exfoliation: The daily application of exfoliating scrubs or chemical exfoliators helps peel away dead skin cells thereby stopping the formation of keratin layers. Avoid scrubbing the skin harshly since this action will lead to skin irritation.
  4. Warm Pressure: The application of a warm compress on the affected area helps both pores to open and makes milia easier to resolve.
  5. No Picking: The practice of picking milia must be completely avoided due to the risk of developing inflammation, infections, and subsequent tissue scars.

Are Milia Contagious & Can They Lead To Any Other Skin Diseases?

Milia cannot be transmitted between people since they exist as individual cases. The causes of milia do not include any bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic elements. These skin manifestations happen because keratin becomes trapped beneath the skin layers. The presence of milia does not endanger health because they are harmless growths that represent no danger to wellness. Milia represent non-cancerous cysts that remain the same without growth during the lifespan. Milia does not create inflammation or infections of the skin. Milia do not carry any link with major or minor skin diseases. Milia sometimes resemble acne or comedones but they are distinct conditions from both of these dermatological issues. You should consult a dermatologist for medical diagnosis since you feel uncertain between having milia or an alternative skin condition.  You should not be bothered by milia because they develop without medical reasons and their appearance only matters for personal aesthetic reasons. Milia frequently appears in infants as well as children and adults.

Milia & Baby Acne 

The skin manifestations of baby acne and neonatal milia share similar small bumps however these conditions differ in their origins and presentation features. Medical intervention is rarely needed for this skin condition because it automatically disappears in the span of weeks to months. Most newborns develop baby acne after a few weeks of birth rather than milia which occurs much more frequently. Baby acne develops into small bright pink or red blemishes which occasionally possess a pale white or yellow center that looks similar to acne suffered by teens. Baby acne occurs after birth due to hormonal changes, especially when maternal hormones affect the newborn. The specific origin of this condition remains unclear. In contrast to milia, the inflammation from baby acne might be present. The recommended procedure for cases of parental concern about baby skin health remains to consult a pediatrician for diagnosis and professional guidance. It is important to know that both the conditions are different from each other and Milia is not ‘a type’ of Acne.

Prevention Techniques

Preventing the development of milia starts with these prevention steps.

  • Wash your face twice a day. Select a gentle cleanser as excessive scrubbing of your skin should be avoided.
  • You should use skin exfoliation two to three times throughout the week. The removal of dead skin cells that block your pores becomes possible through this practice.
  • Sunscreen should always be used daily despite the weather being without sunshine. Sun exposure makes the skin struggle to eliminate its dead skin cells during normal shedding processes.
  • The application of thick creams or ointments should be avoided completely on your facial skin area as they can clog your pores.
  • The choice of your makeup should be limited to non-comedogenic products. The products resist pore blockages so they remain less likely to create any problems.
  • The appearance of persistent or recurring milia on the face should lead you to see a dermatologist. They will identify the reason behind your milia and provide treatment options that match your situation.

Conclusion

Milia forms the most common harmless skin disorder by creating tiny yellowish and white bumps on the facial tissue. The dermatological condition exists as a cosmetic issue because it does not lead to any discomfort. Newborns usually show spontaneous improvement in which milia disappears naturally without medical intervention. Older children together with adults can benefit from various treatment choices because they include both professional extraction options and topical retinoid solutions. Knowing the origins of milia together with proper skincare treatment will assist in both their prevention and maintaining clear skin health. One should seek professional dermatology guidance for milia issues that persist or make them anxious because only an expert doctor can provide suitable care.

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FAQs Related To Milia

  • What is milia?

Milia appears as tiny yellowish or white bumps beneath the skin surface because keratin (a skin protein) struggles to escape through the pores. The skin condition generally develops on face areas near the eyes and across the cheeks.

  • What causes milia?

The improper shedding of dead skin cells creates a condition where keratin becomes trapped underneath the skin surface resulting in milia formation. Different causes can lead to milia formation such as skin trauma and sun damage as well as heavy skincare items and skin conditions.

  • Why does milia occur?

Milia develops because the skin faces exfoliation issues resulting in keratin accumulation under the surface. Milia develops when pores become blocked or due to long sun exposure combined with using heavy occlusive products.

  • Does milia go away on its own?

Milia generally resolve themselves because the skin naturally sheds its outer layer while renewing over weeks to several months. Proceeding treatment becomes necessary when milia symptoms persist.

  • How to get rid of milia on your face?

You should use gentle chemical exfoliation procedures that include glycolic acid and retinol to dissolve milia formations. Professional medical treatments that include extraction or laser therapy with chemical peels become necessary for difficult-to-remove milia.

  • How to get rid of milia under the eyes?

Under-eye skin requires gentle care because of its sensitivity which makes eye creams containing retinol or dermatologist-extracted treatments the proper options.

  • How to cure milia naturally?

The combination of natural treatments including steam-based facial sessions with honey face masks along with oatmeal-based exfoliation works to renew your skin. Proper skincare routines that use non-pore-clogging products help stop milia formation.

  • How to prevent milia?

Fear of milia on the face can be avoided through regular exfoliation together with sunscreen use and the adoption of non-comedogenic lightweight products. The application of topical creams and oily skincare products should be limited to the eye area.