Milia are small, white bumps that appear on the skin, and they are caused by dead skin cells that become trapped beneath the surface of the skin and form cysts. The dead skin cells do not slough away, but instead, they get caught under the new skin, harden, and form a milium. Milia can also happen because of skin damage from something like a rash, an injury, or sun exposure, long-term use of steroid medications, your genes, or an autoimmune condition. Babies are most likely to get milia because their skin is still learning how to replace itself, and they sometimes have milia and baby acne. Milia can also be caused by not following proper skin care, using cosmetics or makeup that clogs your pores, not getting enough sleep, or having skin conditions like dandruff, rosacea, or eczema.
Types of Milia
Milia are small, white bumps that appear on the skin, and they can be categorized into different types based on their clinical features. If you are concerned about milia, you should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Types of milia:
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Primary Milia
These are the most common type of milia and are formed directly from entrapped keratin. They are usually found on the faces of infants and adults.
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Secondary Milia
These are also tiny cysts and look similar to primary milia, but they develop after something clogs the ducts leading to the skin surface.
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Neonatal Milia
These affect 40-50% of newborn babies and are few to numerous lesions. They are associated with Rombo syndrome, basal cell naevus syndrome, Bazex-Dupre-Christol syndrome, pachyonychia congenita, Gardner syndrome, and other genetic disorders. Neonatal milia may be congenital (present at birth) or appear later in life.
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Milia in Childhood
Milia can also occur in children and are usually associated with some type of damage to the skin, such as blistering due to a skin condition, blistering injuries, or burns.
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Milia en Plaque
This is a rare condition that presents as broad, flat patches raised above the rest of the skin. Multiple milia appear on within an inflamed plaque up to several centimeters in diameter. It is usually found on an eyelid, behind the ear, on a cheek, or jaw. Milia en plaque can affect children and adults, especially middle-aged women. It is sometimes associated with another skin disease, including pseudoxanthoma elasticum, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lichen planus.
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Multiple Eruptive Milia
This type of milia appears as crops of numerous milia over a few weeks to months. Lesions may be asymptomatic or itchy and most often affect the face, upper arms, and upper trunk.
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Traumatic Milia
These occur at the site of injury as the skin heals and arise from eccrine sweat ducts.
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How are Milia Treated
Milia are small, white bumps that appear on the skin, and they are usually harmless and do not require treatment. If you want to remove milia for cosmetic reasons, there are several treatment options available. It is not recommended to remove milia at home by squeezing or scraping them off, as this can cause scarring or infection. If you are concerned about milia, you should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Some ways to treat milia:
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Clean the affected area daily
Use a mild soap to prevent skin irritation and clean the affected area daily.
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Steam open the pores
This can be done by sitting with your face over a bowl of hot water or using a warm washcloth on the affected area.
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