Milia

Milia are very common disease which is benign, keratin-filled cysts that occur in persons of all ages, from infants to elderly persons. Milia are tiny white bumps or pimples. They occur when dead, normally sloughed-off skin becomes trapped in small pockets at the surface of the skin or mouth. Milia are common in newborn infants and appear as pearly white bumps, most commonly across the upper cheeks, nose, and chin. They are also commonly seen on the faces of adults or in areas of trauma or inflammation. The cysts may be derived from the pilosebaceous follicle. Primary milia arise on facial skin bearing vellus hair follicles. Secondary milia result from damage to the pilosebaceous unit. Milia are deep seeded white bumps that form when skin cells become trapped rather than exfoliate naturally. The trapped cells become walled off into tiny cysts that appear like white beads below the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of Milia

• Whitish, pearly bump in the skin of newborns, typically across cheeks, nose, and chin
• Whitish, pearly bump on gums or roof of mouth
• No racial predilection is recognized.
• Sexual prevalence is equal for primary and secondary milia. Eruptive milia and milia en plaque occur more frequently in women.

Causes of Milia

Can occur on the skin or even on mucous membranes such as the inner surface of the cheek or the vermillion border of the lips. Milia occur in persons of all ages.

• Primary milia are believed to arise in sebaceous glands that are not fully developed, explaining the high prevalence in newborn infants.
• Secondary lesions arise following blistering or trauma due to disruption of the sweat ducts. Milia have been described in association with many disorders, including bullous pemphigoid, inherited and acquired epidermolysis bullosa, bullous lichen planus, porphyria cutanea tarda, and burns. Skin trauma from dermabrasion or radiotherapy can result in milia formation.
• Secondary milia have arisen following a blistering contact dermatitis and a photocontact allergy to sunscreen. Plaques of mycosis fungoides treated with topical nitrogen mustard ointment have developed milia.
• Secondary milia have been described following potent topical corticosteroid use.
• Milia are a feature of a number of very rare genodermatoses. Both primary milia and multiple eruptive milia have been reported as familial disorders with autosomal dominant inheritance.
• The etiology of milia en plaque is unknown.

Treatment of Milia

Milia aren't harmful and don't need to be treated in any way. The following may help:

• Cleanse face with a deep cleanser such as Naturalis Purifying Cleanser.
• Scrub face with an exfoliating scrub such as Natualis Stimulating Facial Scrub.
• Apply Milia Treatment thickly on problem area. Letting the cream settle into skin.
• For residual marks, apply Skin Blemish Treatment.
• Hold a hot, wet face cloth over the skin for a few minutes - the temperature should feel comfortable, not painful. This simple facial sauna helps to loosen and remove dead skin cells and debris from the skin.
• Use an exfoliating facial scrub to remove the top layer of skin, which can enable the cysts to fall out. These scrubs are available from the pharmacist and are the kind of facial wash used for treating mild acne. Those containing salicylic acid work well, but always read the label or ask the pharmacist to make sure the one you select is suitable for you.