Milia are small white bumps on the skin that are common among newborns but can show up on anyone, according to the Mayo Clinic. Milia aren't serious, and they generally go away on their own, but you can take some steps to reduce risk of irritation. Additionally, adults may opt to seek medical treatment to get rid of stubborn milia.
Signs and Symptoms
Milia are white bumps that are generally between 1 and 2 mm, according to SkinSight.com. They most frequently occur on the face, notably around the forehead, eyes, cheeks and nose in adults and babies. They may also appear inside the mouth on the upper palate in babies, according to SkinSight.com. Milia can become irritated and appear red when material such as sheets and clothing rub against them.
Causes
Milia result when dead skin cells are trapped in pockets near the skin's surface or within the mouth, according to MedlinePlus. This may occur when a person uses heavy and oily cosmetics or doesn't use an exfoliating scrub often enough. Milia can also result from clogged ducts due to injuries, burns or skin blisters, according to SkinSight.com.
Types
Primary milia are a type of milia that generally form on the face from dead skin cells. Secondary milia can look the same as, or similar to, primary milia. However, they appear in other areas of the body, typically on portions of skin that have sustained some kind of damage.
Risk Factors
Milia can appear on anyone, regardless of sex, ethnicity and age. However, milia occur so commonly among newborns --- affecting up to half of all babies --- that they are deemed normal, according to SkinSight.com. Children and adults may be more likely to develop milia if they have undergone skin resurfacing procedures such as dermabrasion, if they have used steroid creams long-term or if they have burns, blistering skin conditions or sun damaged skin, according to SkinSight.com.
Treatment
Milia generally disappear with no medical treatment. However, you can take some steps to care for your baby's skin while you're waiting for the milia to diminish on their own. Gently cleanse his face with warm water every day, blot his skin dry rather than scrubbing it and don't treat his milia by pinching or scrubbing the bumps or using any sort of lotions or creams on his skin, recommends the Mayo Clinic. Visit a dermatologist if you want to get rid of milia on your own skin. She may use a sterile, sharp tool to pierce each milium and use a comedone extractor to get rid of the material inside each cyst, according to SkinSight.com. She may also prescribe a topical retinoid cream or recommend an exfoliation method such as fruit acid peels.
