Milia

Ever have tiny white bumps on your face that are so difficult to prick? They may look like whiteheads, except that whiteheads have “heads” that are easy to open. In this case, you may have what is known as milia.

What are milia?

Milia (singular: milium) are non-cancerous (benign) cysts that usually appear around the eyes and nose, and sometimes on the genitalia. What’s inside is dead skin that becomes trapped in small pockets which leads to milia.

There are two types of milia: primary milia and secondary milia. Primary milia are mild milia usually found on babies, which are not to be taken seriously. They are considered normal and go away within two to four weeks. Secondary milia, also known as adult milia, are common to adults.

What are the causes of milia?

Milia are thought to be caused by dirt, but it is actually due to the skin’s inability to exfoliate itself. When dead skin cells are not able to get out of your skin, they accumulate and form milia. Indirect causes of milia are facial products and certain human habits:

1. heavy cosmetics – too much cosmetics, or thick and heavy oil-based cosmetics and poor quality products can prevent the skin from shedding off dead cells
2. excessive sun exposure – this can possibly make the skin thick which makes exfoliating even harder
3. rough clothing or sheets – these may irritate the skin and thus cause milia
   

Having a thick epidermis (topmost layer of the skin) can lessen the skin’s ability to get rid of dead skin cells, which can also lead to milia.

What are milia symptoms?

• White bumps on the cheeks, chin, nose, gums, mouth, and eyes (basically, anywhere on the body)
• Can appear on inflamed and/or injured body parts

How do you get rid of milia?

Adult milia treatment is not necessary, as most of the time they resolve on their own. But it’s okay to have it removed by a physician or a cosmetologist or by yourself.

Home treatment for milia:

Materials:

• Cloth dipped in warm water
• Sterile needle (should be clean, use hydrogen peroxide)
• Clean tissue or medical gloves
• Astringent

Procedure:

1. Clean your hands and face.
2. Wet a cloth with warm water and apply it to your face for a few minutes. This is to condition your face and prevent infection as well.
3. Gently apply a sterile needle to the center of the white bump to create a tiny opening.
4. Get a clean tissue or put on medical gloves and, using your thumbs, gently squeeze the contents of the white bump out.
5. Finally, clean the area and apply astringent (helps treat the scar).
   

How do I prevent milia?

Prevention of milia is really easy. Once you know what causes them, it’s not hard to know what you have to do to prevent them:

• Limit sun exposure
• Avoid treating your skin with too much harsh chemicals
• Avoid materials that are too harsh on the skin
• Use vitamin A creams. They are great for exfoliating.
• Exfoliate using gentle scrubs
  

Photo credits: VisualDxHealth and blog1972

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