Milia generally heal on their own without treatment, especially in infants. Although they may take months or years to fade away completely, gentle steaming of the face and exfoliation with gentle products such as baking soda can help prevent future outbreaks of Milia.
Avoid trying to squeeze or pop milia, as you risk inflaming and scarring the skin. Instead, consult with a dermatologist about having them removed professionally.
Causes
Milia are benign skin lesions that typically resolve themselves without treatment, typically within weeks or months in newborns but persisting longer for infants, children, and adults alike.
Milia can be caused by using heavy, oily skin care products that clog pores and prevent dead skin cells from shedding; prolonged sun exposure damages skin cells and increases risk for milia formation; other possible triggers include rare blistering diseases like porphyria cutanea tarda and epidermolysis bullosa; as well as medications like tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat cancer, as well as powerful corticosteroids like Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
Dermatologists may recommend a gentle skincare routine to reduce the likelihood of future milia outbreaks, including regular exfoliation around the eyes (where there are no oil glands) and use of UVA/UVB protection products.
Symptoms
Milialar is not contagious, but picking at them may cause irritation and scarring. To minimize risk, avoid picking at or squeezing any bumps as this could irritate skin further and spread more milia.
Milia typically vanish on their own within several weeks or months – particularly among newborns and babies – but can also be extracted for cosmetic reasons by healthcare providers using an extraction method.
Milia can be treated using over-the-counter exfoliation products containing retinol, salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Gently steaming your face while gently rubbing with a soft cloth is also effective at loosening dead cells and opening pores. Furthermore, drinking plenty of water and limiting overly fatty food consumption is recommended to keep skin hydrated and prevent future episodes of Milia from appearing. Regular skin checks by a dermatologist will allow them to detect any new moles or lesions which require further evaluation from them and further evaluation if required.
Treatment
To rid yourself of this condition, visit a dermatologist to get rid of its cysts. He or she will likely suggest one or more treatments, depending on what kind of milia you have; one such method includes simple extraction; this involves poking at each milia with a sterile needle or blade before carefully extracting out each plug with forceps – this should only ever be attempted by medical professionals as doing it on one’s own increases the risk of infection and scarring.
Chemical peels, laser ablation and destruction curettage may also provide viable options. Through these procedures, the skin is numbed before cysts are surgically scraped away or burned off.
Milia typically appear in areas that have been overexposed to sunlight, such as cheeks and nose, though they can appear anywhere on your body. You can prevent Milia by selecting products without pores as well as wearing protective clothing when going outside.
Prevention
No guarantee can be given against milia, but smart skincare practices can reduce your risk. Avoiding heavy moisturizers and eye creams that clog pores as well as gentle exfoliating cleansers that won’t irritate the skin can help stop keratin from building up and leading to milia formation. Also, steaming (for instance by sitting in a bathtub while hot water runs) your face may help soften outer layers of pores so it is easier for dermatologists to remove it more effectively.
Squeezing or picking at milia can damage the skin, and lead to scarring. Instead, a healthcare provider can safely extract them using a needle or lancet – they should go away on their own, but if not you may require medical intervention. A dermatologist or healthcare provider may perform quick and painless extraction. Neonatal milia (also called milk spots) typically disappear without intervention as soon as they appear (neonatals may even go away without needing treatment!). Neonatals do not usually need treatment as they typically go away on their own!