A milium cyst is a little white growth on the nose or cheeks that can be painful. These cysts are frequently encountered in clusters. Milia is a term for a group of cysts. Milia is a small white pimple on face that can appear anywhere, but most typically around the eyes, nose, and cheeks. They can be found on other parts of the body as well. Milia is a cosmetic concern rather than a medical issue. Unless they are bothering you, there is no reason to treat them.
Causes of Milia
Newborns
- Milia in infants has no known cause. It’s often confused with baby acne, which is caused by the mother’s hormones. Milia does not produce irritation or edema, unlike infant acne. Milia is frequently present after delivery, although infant acne does not show until two to four weeks following birth.
Adults and older children:
- Milia is usually connected with skin deterioration in older children and adults. Blisters can occur as a result of a skin condition like epidermolysis bullosa (EB), as well as blistering traumas like poison ivy or burns.
- Long-term UV exposure, as well as long-term usage of steroid creams and skin resurfacing operations, can cause it.
- Milia can also form if the skin’s natural capacity to exfoliate is lost. This can occur as a result of advancing years.
Types of Milia
Neonatal, primary, traumatic, milia en plaque, and multiple eruptive milia are the five forms of milia.
- Entrapped keratin is the basis of primary milia. These milia that looks like a white pimple on face most commonly appear in children and adults. These white pimples can be found on the genitalia, around the eyelids, and on the forehead.
- Neonatal milia are milia that develop during pregnancy. The lumps are frequently present from birth. It appears in neonates and disappears after a few weeks. Cysts commonly appear on the face, scalp, and upper chest.
- Several bumps occur in the same region over a period of weeks or months in this rare variety of milia. On the face, upper arms, and upper body, many eruptive milia are common.
- Traumatic milia develop when the sweat ducts become clogged as a result of skin injury. The trauma is frequently a sort of burn, caused by contact or exposure to the sun, or blisters caused by an allergic reaction. Laser resurfacing is only used in a few circumstances.
- Milia en plaque is frequently linked to autoimmune or hereditary skin conditions like discoid lupus or lichen planus. The eyes, ears, cheeks, and jaw can all be affected by Milia en plaque. It’s most common in middle-aged women, but it can affect adults or children of any age or gender.
Treatment options to get rid of Milia
Home remedies:
These white pimple on face can be treated using a variety of home treatments. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for removing milia quickly, these therapies are generally low-risk. Here are a few pointers:
- Every day, clean the afflicted area. To avoid skin sensitivity, use a gentle soap. Soaps for sensitive skin can be purchased on the internet.
- The pores are opened by steam. Sitting in the bathroom while taking a hot shower is a good way to achieve this.
- Exfoliate the affected region on a regular basis. Exfoliation on a daily basis, on the other hand, might irritate the skin. If you only have a few minor bumps, an over-the-counter product may be all you need to obtain the results you want.
- Milia, the white pimple on face can be treated with an over-the-counter salicylic acid or glycolic acid medication. These products aid in the removal of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.
- Apply sunscreen to your skin. Sunscreens with a high level of protection may be very beneficial. Sunscreen with factor 50 is available for purchase.
Medical treatments
If you have milia, you can try a variety of clinical therapies to get rid of them. Except for minocycline, which has other dangers, all of these treatments have a risk of scarring. Because milia do not create scarring, you should think twice about undertaking these procedures.
These are some of them:
- Minocycline is an oral antibiotic that can be used to treat milia en plaque and other kinds of milia.
- Curettage: A doctor numbs the area, removes the milia, and uses a hot wire to seal the skin.
- De-roofing. The milia is removed by a doctor using a sterile needle or blade.
- Cryotherapy: The milia are removed by freezing them, usually with liquid nitrogen. This may result in blistering or swelling, which will go away in a few days.
Skin ingredients to use for Milia
- Use peels that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid for milia if it is at all practicable. Don’t use face peels solely to get rid of milia bumps if you’re new to them. Exfoliating face peels can be therapeutic, but they should be used with caution. Using a face peel that is too harsh for your skin can result in the appearance of additional milia.
- Use retinoid , or its reduced form, retinol for milia, only once a day in any product. After you’ve cleaned and dried your face, apply it. It’s necessary to use sunscreen every day if you’re using a retinoid or retinol cream.
Skin ingredients to avoid for Milia
Using heavy creams or oil-based solutions in moderation should be avoided. Milia can occur as a result of a chemical peel. By using a topical retinoid prior to the operation, it may be able to avoid them. When used in conjunction with chemical peels, however, retinoids might create dark patches or severe inflammation.
Prevention tips for Milia
- When milia occurs in newborns, for example, it is not always possible to prevent it. When milia is linked to other skin problems or traumas, however, prompt treatment may prevent them from occurring.
- Avoiding excessive sun exposure is one of the best ways to prevent milia.
- Use sunscreen every day and exfoliate two to three times a week.
Risk factors for Milia
Your body gets rid of old skin cells to make room for new ones. Milia develop when dead skin cells do not slough off. Rather, they become trapped beneath the new skin, solidify, and form a milium.
- Milia can also be caused by skin damage such as a rash, an accident, or excessive sun exposure.
- Milia is most common among babies. Because their skin is still learning to replace itself, milia and baby acne are prevalent.
- You’re also at a larger risk if you don’t use proper skin care or don’t wash your face frequently. Use pore-clogging cosmetics or make-up.
- Milia can also be triggered by skin diseases such as dandruff, rosacea, or eczema.
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Conclusion
Milia aren’t harmful in the long run. Cysts in neonates normally disappear within a few weeks of birth. They don’t require treatment and will eventually go away on their own. However, if milia bother you, there are therapies that can help. Milia aren’t regarded as dangerous, even if the procedure takes longer in older children and adults. Consult your doctor if your condition does not improve within a few weeks. They’ll be able to rule out any other skin conditions.
FAQs
Question1: What are the most common milia symptoms?
Answer1: Milia are little, dome-shaped lumps that can be white or yellow in color. They aren’t normally irritating or painful. They may, however, cause pain in certain persons. Milia can get inflamed and red if they are exposed to rough sheets or clothing.
Question2: How long does it take for primary milia to go away?
Answer2: Primary milia might be gone in a matter of weeks or can remain for months.
Question3: Is it possible to cure milia in adults using only over-the-counter products?
Answer3: Sometimes OTC treatments are all you need to get rid of milia, but they can take a long time to work. If those don’t work, your dermatologist may recommend a more powerful exfoliant.