Milia are harmless (benign) cysts that may affect people of all ages, but are the most common in newborns. Milia do not require any treatment as they are self-resolving. However, a few self care measures may be taken to improve the affected area of the skin.
There are small pockets near the surface of the human skin. These pockets, because of certain reasons, trap dead skin and result into tiny white bumps, usually on the brow, glabella, and nose area. These bumps are calledmilia, and they are completely benign.
Milia affect almost all newborn babies, and there is no specific method to keep them from occurring. They may be primary or secondary. The former types are formed directly from sloughed-off skin and generally appear on the facial area of infants and adults. Secondary milia result from injury to hair follicles and the sebaceous glands. Any part of the body may get affected by secondary milia and they are more common in people who are prone to skin damage from sun exposure. The white bumps may sometimes affect the gums and roof of the mouth in babies. These bumps are known as Epstein’s pearls and occur in about 85% of infants.
Milia Do Not Require Any Treatment…
Milia are self-resolving, and therefore do not require any treatment. In babies, they subside on their own within the first few weeks of life. However, adults can seek treatment to get rid of these white bumps in order to improve their appearance. Although the following self-care measures may not help in getting rid of milia, they may help improve the appearance of the affected area of the skin.
✔ While your baby is recovering, you can wash his/her face with warm water and baby soap, two or three times a day. Always pat the skin dry. Avoid using any medicated creams, and never prick or irritate the white bumps. Let them stay as they are and after some days, they will disappear on their own.
✔ Adults can make use of dermabrasion or fruit acid peel. Peeling helps in getting rid of dead skin cells and cleansing the skin pores.
✔ Make a paste of roasted and powdered pomegranate with lime juice, and apply it to the affected area of the skin.
✔ Drinking plenty of water and fresh fruit juice does a great deal in flushing out harmful toxins from the body, and making the skin clearer.
✔ Sandalwood has always been a recommended product for skin care. Prepare a mix of sandalwood and rose water, and apply it to the milia and let it dry for sometime. Thereafter, wash off the skin with lukewarm water.
✔ Make a paste of fenugreek leaves and water, and massage it to the affected part of the skin.
✔ If milia are accompanied by acne, they may worsen the appearance of the affected skin. So removing excess oil and getting rid of dead skin cells will help reduce the chances of an acne outbreak. Apply a paste made from cornstarch and vinegar to the affected parts of the skin. After allowing the paste to dry off for sometime, get your skin washed with lukewarm water.
Milia are unsightly, especially in adults, but they are benign. More often than not, they do not cause any symptoms, but in rare instances, they might be itchy. Milia in infants disappear within a few weeks, while in adults, they usually persist for several weeks to several months before they subside. In all cases, milia do not cause any lasting effects. Usually most doctors remove persisting milia in adults using a needle.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
