Milia are small white cysts commonly seen on the nose. Approximately 40 percent of newborns get milia on the nose or other areas of the face, according to BabyCenter. The two types of milia that may affect people include primary and secondary milia. Primary milia develop in normal skin and secondary milia occur on damaged skin. Treatment varies depending on the type of milia, and keeping the skin clean is the only preventative measure to take to decrease the risk of developing the condition.
Causes
Clogged sweat glands cause milia to occur primarily on the nose and cheeks. The primary form of milia, typically found in newborns, occurs because of the first secretions from the oil glands in the baby trapping dead skin. Secondary forms of milia occur because of an injury to the skin. This skin injury may occur for various reasons, such as chronic sun damage, a blistering injury to the skin from poison ivy or following the use of steroid creams on the skin.
Risk Factors
Most often, newborns have milia on the nose, but individuals of any age, race or sex may develop the condition. People with an injury to the surface of the skin, such as blistering from a burn or sun exposure, may have an increased risk of developing milia. Milia are common for older women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Symptoms
Milia appear as small white or yellow cysts covering the surface of the nose. Milia may also occur on other areas of the body, such as the cheeks, chin and along the roof of the mouth. The milia do not cause pain or itching.
Treatment
For newborns with milia on the nose, the condition generally improves without treatment within a few weeks. Individuals with milia caused by a secondary condition, such as damage to the skin, may require treatment from a physician. The physician may choose to remove the milia with a special tool called a comedone extractor, according to SkinSight.com. Additional treatments for secondary milia include retinoid cream, microdermabrasion or fruit acid peels.
Complications
Trying to squeeze the white bumps may cause increased irritation. This may also increase the risk of scarring on the nose, according to BabyCenter. See a physician for proper removal to decrease the risk of scarring.
