Milia (not baby) - Medtick
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Milia (not baby)

What is it?

A common skin condition formed when keratin (Keratin is a strong protein that’s typically found in skin tissues, hair, and nail cells) is trapped beneath the outer layer of the skin, forming a tiny white cyst(s).

  • An individual milium (the singular of milia) is formed at the base/bottom of a hair follicle or sweat gland and is classed as primary or secondary millia.

Primary Milia

  • Formed directly from trapped keratin and are usually found on the faces of infants and adults.

Secondary Milia 

  • This occurs after another condition  clogs the ducts  causing tiny white cyst(s), mainly on face, hands and genitals.

Cause

Primary Milia (causes are rare):

  • Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome  can lead to basal cell carcinoma-skin cancer.
  • Pachyonychia congenita- This condition may cause thick or abnormally shaped nails.

Syndromes

  • Gardner’s syndrome
  • Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome.-This syndrome affects hair growth and the ability to sweat.

Secondary Milia:

  • Aging -as the skin loses it ability to exfoliate.
  • Long term skin sun damage/exposure (particularly face and back of hands)
  • Blistering skin conditions, such as bullous pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa, and Cutaneous skin porphyria
  • Lupus
  • Lichen planus
  • Burns
  • Blistering injury to skin, such as allergic reactions

Treatments

  • Following skin resurfacing procedures such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing

Medication

  • Long-term use of steroid creams
  • Emollients used in dry skin conditions and psoriasis
  • Mineral oils in skin care and makeup products can cause milia in some people.
    • If one has have milia-prone skin, avoid the following ingredients:
      • Liquid paraffin
      • Liquid petroleum
      • Paraffin oil
      • Paraffinum liquidum
      • Petrolatum liquid
      • Petroleum oil
  • Lanolin may also increase the formation of milia.

Healthline 

Symptoms

  • Appear as 1–2 mm white-to-yellow dome-shaped bumps?
  • Milia cysts appear read and irritated due to constant rubbing of clothes or bed sheets?
  • Not painful?
  • Non- itchy?
  • Found with other skin condition areas?
  • Found in sun exposed skin areas?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Further Information

  • This condition can be mistaken for infected spots, the main difference is milia (not baby) does not easily go away.
  • Milia are difficult to remove without the proper tools.
  • Do not try to remove them at home, as you may leave a scar.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Milia (not baby) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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