Today, I’m going to talk about something I’ve looked into called Milia.
These are tiny, white bumps that usually show up on your nose and cheeks. When you see a bunch of them together, that’s called milia.
Stick around, and I’ll tell you all about it.
What Is Milia?
Milia are small bumps that you might see on your skin, especially on your face. Think of them as tiny cysts sitting just under your skin.
If you see just one, it’s called a milium, but if there are several, we call them milia. They can be white or yellow, and on darker skin, they might look a bit blue.
Even though they look like tiny white bumps, don’t mix them up with pimples or whiteheads because milia are not acne. They can pop up on their own or show up if your skin gets hurt.
The good news is that milia aren’t dangerous. They’re harmless and often disappear without needing any treatment.
But if you’re looking to get rid of them or want to prevent them from showing up, there are ways to do that.
What are the Symptoms of Milia?
Milia are tiny bumps on your skin that are usually white or yellow. They’re not usually itchy or painful, but they can be annoying.
Sometimes, if you rub them with rough fabric, they might look red and irritated.
You’ll mostly find them on your face, like on your lips, eyelids, and cheeks, but they can also appear on other parts of your body, including your torso and genital area.
People sometimes mix them up with something called Epstein pearls, which are harmless cysts in a newborn’s mouth, or even call them baby acne.
But milia are different, they’re made from dead skin cells and sometimes hair follicles. They can pop up alone or in groups, and they’re pretty small, though some can get a bit bigger.
Traits
Milia can show up anywhere on your body, but they’re very common on the face. They usually go away by themselves after a while without needing any treatment.
Newborns often have them about half of all babies do. So, if you’re a parent, don’t worry if you see these on your baby and think it’s acne, baby acne doesn’t usually show up until after the first two weeks.
Adults and older kids might get milia too, especially if they don’t take good care of their skin, use oily skin care products, have certain skin conditions like dandruff or rosacea, don’t sleep enough, or use steroid creams for a long time.
What are the Causes of Milia?
Our skin is constantly renewing itself, getting rid of old skin cells to make space for new ones. But sometimes, these old skin cells don’t shed as they should.
Instead, they get stuck under the skin, harden, and turn into small cysts known as milia. These cysts are firm and round.
Milia can happen to anyone, but they’re especially common in babies. That’s because baby skin is still figuring out how to properly shed old skin cells.
For older kids and adults, getting milia can depend on the kind of milia they have.
There are two main types: primary and secondary. Each type has its reasons for showing up.
Primary Milia
Primary milia happen on their own when old skin cells get trapped beneath the skin, creating little cysts.
Types of Primary Milia:
Congenital Milia: These appear by themselves, usually on the face, like on the nose.
Benign Primary Milia in Children and Adults: These can pop up on the eyelids, cheeks, forehead, and genital area without any clear reason.
Milia en Plaque (MEP): A rare condition found mainly in women between 40 to 70 years old, where milia group together on a skin patch, sometimes growing quite large.
Multiple Eruptive Milia: Another rare condition that results in clusters of itchy cysts on the face, upper arms, and upper abdomen.
Genodermatosis-associated: This type is linked to genetic skin conditions like Brooke-Spiegler syndrome and others, resulting in milia.
Secondary Milia
Secondary milia can develop after something affects the skin, like an injury, certain medications, or a skin condition. It’s thought that these milia form in sweat ducts that get blocked.
Types of Secondary Milia:
Disease-associated: These milia occur alongside skin diseases that cause blistering, such as epidermolysis bullosa.
Medication-associated: Long-term use of creams like topical steroids or NSAIDs can lead to milia.
Trauma-associated: These often happen after skin injuries, like burns, skin grafts, or treatments like radiotherapy.
How to Deal with Milia
Milia are small, harmless bumps on the skin and usually don’t need any treatment. The ones babies are born with (congenital milia) often disappear by themselves.
However, some types of milia won’t go away on their own and might need to be removed, especially if they change how you look or feel uncomfortable.
Talking to a Professional
If you’re thinking about getting milia removed, it’s a good idea to talk to a dermatologist. That’s a doctor who knows a lot about skin, hair, and nails.
They can suggest the best way to remove the milia. Even after treatment, milia can come back, but your dermatologist might have tips to prevent them from returning.
Ways to Remove Milia
There are a few different methods to remove milia:
Extraction
The dermatologist makes a small cut with a needle or scalpel and then gently squeezes the skin to pop the milia out. This method is sometimes called deroofing.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel helps your skin get rid of old cells and make way for new, healthy ones. It’s a type of treatment that uses chemicals to dissolve the dead skin cells that lead to milia.
Common Ingredients in Chemical Peels:
Glycolic Acid: A strong acid that helps remove dead skin and oil, showing the healthier skin underneath.
Lactic Acid: A gentler option that’s good for people with dry or sensitive skin.
Salicylic Acid: This acid works differently because it can dissolve oil in your pores, making it great for clearing up skin.
Retinoids
Retinoids are powerful skincare treatments derived from vitamin A. They’re especially useful for treating certain milia types, like milia en plaque, and are also used for acne treatment.
Types of Retinoids for Skincare:
Tretinoin: You might see this listed as Retin-A, Atralin, or Avita.
Adapalene: Known commercially as Differin.
Tazarotene: Available as Arazlo, Avage, Fabior, or Tazorac.
Removing Milia Safely
Trying to pop, squeeze, or scrape Milia away at home is a bad idea. This can cause bruising, scarring, or even lead to an infection.
If you’ve already tried over-the-counter treatments like exfoliators or retinol creams without success, it’s time to consider professional help.
Talk to a dermatologist about safe, surgical removal options in their office to avoid any unnecessary damage to your skin.
How to Prevent Milia
While you can’t stop milia from ever appearing, there are ways to lower your risk of developing them:
- Clean Your Face Daily: Use warm water and gentle soap. Be soft with your skin, especially when drying.
- Be Careful with Baby Skin: Don’t apply oils or lotions meant for adults on babies, as their skin is much more sensitive.
- Limit Sun Exposure: Try to stay out of the sun for long periods.
- Use Sunscreen: Whenever you’re outside, apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin.
Following these steps can help keep your skin healthy and may reduce the chances of milia forming.
Skin Products Cause More Harm Than Good
Sometimes, the skincare and makeup products you use might be the culprits behind Milia. This is especially true for products containing certain types of ingredients, like various forms of mineral oil.
If you find that your skin is getting milia, you might want to check your products for these ingredients:
- Liquid paraffin
- Liquid petroleum
- Paraffin oil
- Paraffinum liquidum
- Petrolatum liquid
- Petroleum oil
All these are types of mineral oil that could be causing your milia. Lanolin, another common ingredient in skin care products, might also lead to more milia forming.
Steroid Creams and Milia
It’s also worth noting that using steroid creams on your skin can sometimes lead to milia, although this is a rare side effect.
If you’re using a steroid cream and notice milia developing, it might be linked to the cream.
Conclusion
Milia, those tiny pearl-like bumps on the skin, are mostly harmless. You might see them on the eyelids or around the eyes.
They’re pretty common in babies, but adults can get them too, often after some kind of skin damage.
There are different kinds of milia, and they can show up for a variety of reasons like genetics, too much sun, skin injuries, health issues, certain medicines, or using thick creams and lots of makeup.
If Milia bothers you, don’t worry, there are ways to treat them, and often they just go away on their own.
To keep milia at bay, it’s important to take good care of your skin, go easy on the makeup, and protect yourself from too much sun.
I’ve covered everything you need to know about milia, including what causes them, how to spot them, how to prevent them, and your options for getting rid of them.
If you’re worried about milia or anything else skin-related, it’s a good idea to talk to a dermatologist who can give you expert advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can get Milia?
Anyone can get milia, from newborns to adults. While they’re especially common in babies, adults can develop them too, often due to skin damage or other factors.
What causes milia?
Milia can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, sun damage, skin injuries, use of certain medications, and the application of heavy creams and makeup. In babies, milia often occurs without any identifiable cause.
Are milia harmful?
No, milia are generally harmless. They’re not painful, though some people may find them annoying or unattractive.
How can I prevent milia?
Preventing milia involves good skincare practices, such as regular cleansing, avoiding heavy cosmetics and creams, and protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure.
Do milia come back after treatment?
Milia can return even after treatment. However, adopting preventive skin care practices can help reduce the likelihood of their recurrence.
What’s the difference between milia and other types of skin bumps?
Milia are specifically caused by trapped keratin beneath the skin and are characterized by their small, dome-shaped appearance.
Other types of skin bumps, like acne or skin tags, have different causes and characteristics. A dermatologist can help identify the type of skin bump and recommend appropriate treatment.
