Milia cyst is a small white bump that usually appears on the nose and cheeks. These cysts are often found in groups. Multiple cysts are called milia. Milia happens when keratin gets trapped under the skin’s surface. Keratin is a strong protein that is usually found in skin tissues, hair and nail cells. Milia can occur in people of any ethnici ...
Milia cyst is a small white bump that usually appears on the nose and cheeks. These cysts are often found in groups. Multiple cysts are called milia. Milia happens when keratin gets trapped under the skin’s surface. Keratin is a strong protein that is usually found in skin tissues, hair and nail cells.
Milia can occur in people of any ethnicity or age. However, they are common in infants.
Stay with us to learn more about milia, their causes and what you can do to treat them.
Milia are small, dome-shaped bumps that are usually white or yellow. They usually do not itch or hurt. However, they may cause discomfort to some people. Rough linens or clothing may cause milia to become irritated and red.
Cysts are usually seen on the face, lips, eyelids and cheeks. However, they can also be found in other parts of the body, such as the body or genitals.
They are often confused with a condition called Epstein’s pearls. This condition involves the appearance of harmless white-yellow cysts on the baby’s gums and mouth. Milia is also often mistakenly referred to as “baby acne”.
Causes in infants are different from those in older children and adults.
The cause of milia in infants is unknown. It is often mistaken for baby acne, which is caused by the mother’s hormones.
Unlike baby acne, milia do not cause inflammation or swelling. Babies with milia are usually born with it, while baby acne doesn’t appear until two to four weeks after birth.
In older children and adults, milia is usually associated with some kind of skin damage. This may include the following:
Types of milia are classified based on the age at which the cysts develop or what causes the cysts to develop. These types are also classified as primary or secondary. Primary milia are formed directly from trapped keratin. These cysts are usually seen in babies or adults.
Secondary milia are similar, but develop after the ducts leading to the surface of the skin become blocked, such as after an injury, burn, or blister.
Milia of newborns is considered primary milia. It occurs in babies and disappears within a few weeks. Cysts are usually seen on the face, scalp and upper body. According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, milia occurs in 40 percent of newborns.
Cysts can be found around the eyelids, forehead, and on the genitals. It may disappear within a few weeks or last for several months.
Rare genetic disorders that affect the skin can lead to juvenile milia. These can include the following:
This condition is usually associated with genetic or autoimmune skin disorders such as discoid lupus or lichen planus. Milia en plaque can affect the eyelids, ears, cheeks or jaw.
Cysts can be several centimeters in diameter. This disease is mainly seen in middle-aged women, but it can occur in adults or children of any age or gender.
This type of milia includes itchy patches that can appear on the face, arms, and upper body. Cysts often appear over a period of time ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
These cysts form where the skin has been damaged. For example, we can mention burns and severe rashes. Cysts may become irritated and become red along the edges and white in the center.
The use of steroid creams can lead to milia on the skin
