Milia are typically harmless and tend to resolve on their own within weeks – particularly for infants. Your physician can diagnose milia with visual examination alone; biopsies of skin lesions are rarely required to confirm a diagnosis.
Maintaining good skin hygiene – such as regular cleansing and exfoliation – is vital in order to lower the chances of developing milia. A dermatologist or skincare expert can make recommendations tailored to your unique circumstances.
Causes
Milia develop when dead skin cells accumulate instead of dissolving naturally, becoming trapped beneath the surface and leading to cyst formation under the skin. Some individuals may inherit an increased susceptibility for developing Milia.
Milialar are often mistaken for whiteheads or acne, but unlike these conditions they don’t lead to clogged pores or cause any itching. Milia affects people of all ages but newborns and infants are especially prone. Neonatal milia (commonly referred to as “milk spots”) often appear at birth on skin that quickly clears up afterward on its own within weeks.
Secondary milia is a condition that affects individuals of all ages, but most often arises after skin trauma such as burns or blistering conditions. Other potential triggers for secondary milia include long-term use of steroids creams or genetic conditions as well as damage to sweat glands as seen with sunburn rash rashes.
Symptoms
Milia are small white bumps on the skin that typically appear in clusters. While they don’t cause pain or itching, their persistent appearance can become irritating to skin. Milia are sometimes confused with acne; however, they’re not related.
Milia do not require medical treatment and often disappear on their own in infants and newborns. Milia can also appear in older children and adults but the process could take several weeks or months before completely disappearing.
Squeezing or picking at milia can damage surrounding skin and increase risk of infection, so instead gently steam and exfoliate regularly to soften and widen pores, and take retinoid supplements which have been found to speed cell turnover, helping decrease keratin build-up and stop new milia from appearing. Speak with a dermatologist or skincare professional for diagnosis and recommendations tailored specifically for you situation.
Diagnosis
Milia are generally harmless cysts that resolve on their own. Although often confused with whiteheads, milia are much firmer and do not cause irritation or itching. About 50% of newborns develop them while older children and adults can also be affected.
If milia persist, it’s essential to visit a dermatologist as soon as possible to rule out more serious conditions. A visual exam usually suffices, although your physician may run tests to identify contributing factors like stress or long-term use of topical medications like steroid creams.
To prevent milia from forming, try switching up your skincare products so they are non-comedogenic, oil-free or lightweight to avoid blocking pores, as well as regularly exfoliating. Popping milia can result in scarring; to safely get rid of them use sterile needles or lancets from a dermatologist instead. Other forms of treatment for milia include chemical peels, laser ablation (where small laser beams focus directly onto pores to open them up) or destruction curettage (which involves surgically scrapping and cauterizing cysts).
Treatment
Milia are usually harmless and will go away on their own within weeks or months, though there may be several treatments available if they persist for extended periods.
Use over-the-counter exfoliators containing glycolic or salicylic acid to gently loosen dead skin cells that may have become trapped beneath the surface and are contributing to milia formation. Also apply retinol nightly for healthy cell turnover and reduced risk of milia formation.
Avoid popping or squeezing milia as this may lead to infection and scarring. If they persist, see a dermatologist; they can perform procedures like surgery to surgically remove cysts or perform curettage, which involves numbing the area before scraping plugs off with wire. Other treatment options could include chemical peels, laser ablation and diathermy (using extreme heat to destroy cyst). Minocycline cream may also provide help.