Milia (Milk Spots)

What is Milia (Milk Spots)?

Milium cysts are the little, white bumps that commonly develop in clusters on the cheeks and nose. These clusters are referred to as milia. Milia is formed when the keratin protein, which is commonly found in the cells of the skin, hair, and nails, becomes trapped under the skin.

Causes of Milia

Newborns have different causes of milia than older kids and adults have.

Causes of Milia in Newborns

Milia in infants has no recognized cause. It's frequently confused for baby acne, which is brought on by the mother's hormones. However, milia doesn't lead to edema or irritation like newborn acne does. Baby acne doesn't often present until two to four weeks after delivery, although infants that have milia typically have it from birth.

Causes of Milia in Adolescents and Adults

Milia is often linked to some form of skin injury in older children and adults. This might include the following:

• Blistering brought on by a skin ailment, such as porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), cicatricial pemphigoid, or epidermolysis bullosa (EB), or blistering injuries, including burns from poison ivy.
• Permanent sun damage
• Long-term steroid cream usage
• Techniques for resurfacing the skin, like dermabrasion or laser resurfacing

Milia may also appear if the skin stops naturally exfoliating. Aging may cause this to occur.

Symptoms of Milia

Milia is completely safe and only affects the appearance of your or your newborn's body temporarily. On your skin or the skin of your infant, tiny white pimples (cysts) develop. After a few weeks, these cysts normally go away on their own.

Milia symptoms may include the following:

• Cysts that range in color from white to yellow on your skin
• Clusters or groupings of bumps
• Depending on the type, milia may itch or develop as an elevated area of skin.

Types of Milia

There are various milia kinds, including the following:

• Neonatal milia: Infants who have newborn milia develop white cysts on their skin, most frequently on or near their noses. At birth, this kind of milia is present.
• Primary milia: Little cysts known as primary milia are frequently found on the cheeks, genitalia, forehead, and eyelids. Both children and adults are affected by them.
• Secondary milia (traumatic milia): These tiny cysts develop after your skin has been damaged by burns, rashes, blisters, or exposure to sunlight. They may also develop in response to a thick cream or ointment applied to the skin.
• Juvenile Milia: Cysts that are a sign of a genetic disorder are known as juvenile milia. They could exist from birth or develop later in life.
• Milia en plaque: Between the ages of 40 and 60, this uncommon form of milia frequently affects women or those who were assigned female at birth. The milia congregate on an elevated area of skin, typically on the face, jaw, eyelid, or behind the ears.
• Multiple eruptive milia: This uncommon condition results in clusters of cysts developing on your face, upper arms, and upper belly over the course of weeks to months. The cysts in question may itch.