Milia
#40
Milia
Milia are tiny white cysts that appear on the surface of the skin. Milia can appear in clusters or as a single milium and is most often seen on the face (eyelid, forehead, cheeks, nose).
It is a harmless condition and will usually go away on its own without treatment. Milia can be seen in anyone of any age.
Cause
Milia occurs when the body does not shed off its dead skin cells, which causes those cells to get trapped under layers of new skin that have grown on top. When the dead skin cells harden, a milium is formed.
Types
The five main types of milia are primary, secondary, neonatal, milia en plaque, and multiple eruptive milia.
Primary:
most common form of milia
can affect any age
found on the eyelids, cheeks, forehead, or genitals
Secondary:
aka ‘traumatic milia’
occurs after damage to the skin (burns, rashes, blisters, sunlight exposure, allergic reaction to certain skin creams/ointments)
Neonatal:
affects around 40-50% of newborns
present at birth
usually found on face (inside the mouth, on scalp, & especially nose)
disappears within a few weeks/months
Milia en plaque:
clusters of broad, flat patches
raised above the rest of the skin
usually affects women between the ages of 40-60
rare type of milia
Multiple eruptive milia:
clusters, but not raised above the skin like milia en plaque
may be itchy
mainly on the face, upper arms, and upper abdomen
also a rare type of milia
Treatment
Treatment to get rid of persistent milia may include using exfoliating cleansers that contain salicylic or glycolic acid, prescription creams, cryotherapy (cold therapy), or surgical removal.
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