Milia are generally harmless and will usually resolve themselves without intervention; however, to improve chances of healing faster it’s important to use only products which have been labeled non-comedogenic and oil-free.
Avoid picking or squeezing at bumps as this will only irritate the skin and possibly lead to scarring. Instead, visit a dermatologist or skincare professional for professional removal services.
Causes
When our bodies’ skin can’t shed dead cells as efficiently, they build up under the surface and accumulate into hard cysts known as milia. Milia aren’t caused by infections but can still cause considerable discomfort and cosmetic damage.
Milialar are deep within your skin’s surface layer, rather than within pores, so they cannot be squeezed or “popped” like blackheads or other types of acne can. If you try to remove them yourself, this could lead to infection and permanent scarring.
Neonatal milia, commonly referred to as milk spots, are common among newborns and typically disappear within several weeks. They typically appear on the scalp, face, or upper torso and can feel itchy.
Milia can also be the result of some autoimmune conditions, including lichen planus and discoid lupus. While these conditions typically resolve themselves over time, topical treatments or medications may help accelerate healing processes; your healthcare provider might suggest exfoliating using an over-the-counter salicylic acid product or alpha hydroxy acid product as part of their plan for treating Milia.
Symptoms
Milia are tiny cysts that resemble whiteheads. They may occur individually or in clusters and can appear anywhere on the body; they’re most commonly seen on the face, arms and trunk. Milia are not caused by clogged pores and do not lead to acne; nor are they contagious; instead they typically fade over time on their own – especially neonatal milia which infants develop around their eyes and nose (commonly referred to as baby acne).
Rarely, multiple milia may form over several weeks or months in one area – this type of multiple eruptive milia can look irritated or itchy and require dermatological evaluation using special microscope. Chemical peels that slough off dead skin cells may help treat this type of milia as can destruction curettage where cysts are surgically scraped off the skin for removal or destruction curettage which involves scraping/burning off.
Diagnosis
Milia are identified through visual examination by healthcare providers. Milia have the appearance of hard cysts but feel different than whiteheads or pimples; they’re non-painful. Babies’ milia typically fade without treatment while those found on adults’ faces and arms tend to last longer and even remain permanent; eventually these could go away on their own or through medication such as retinoid therapy or antibiotic minocycline use.
Milia can be avoided by choosing gentle exfoliants that won’t clog pores and using over-the-counter medication such as salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids to dissolve build-up keratin. Avoid trying to squeeze or pop them as this could cause irritation and scarring; instead consult with a dermatologist about manual removal using sterile needles or lancets; this process is known as curettage; for something more modern use liquid nitrogen instead; cryotherapy could also work.
Treatment
Milia tend to clear up without intervention over several weeks to months, though it’s wise to protect skin from sun damage and excessive exposure, especially if someone is susceptible to them.
There are various things you can do to encourage milia to clear, such as using an exfoliating cleanser with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids and applying topical retinoids, to help the condition clear up more quickly.
Avoid poking or trying to pop milia as this could result in scarring and infection; consult a dermatologist instead for treatment solutions.
Milia can be removed using various techniques, including manual extraction (using a sterile needle or blade to gently dislodge keratin plugs) and cryotherapy (where liquid nitrogen freezes the milia). Chemical peels may also help by exfoliating away top layers of skin to reveal healthier new tissue underneath.