How Do Milia Affect My Body?
Milia are not harmful and only cause small changes to your skin or your baby’s skin.
They appear as tiny white bumps, which are actually small cysts. These bumps usually go away on their own after a few weeks.
Symptoms And Causes
What Are The Symptoms Of Milia?
The symptoms of milia include:
Small white or yellow bumps (cysts) on your skin.
These bumps can come in groups or clusters.
They are usually not painful or uncomfortable.
Depending on the type, some may be itchy or appear on a raised area of skin. Also read Milia Removal in Singapore for more information
Where Can I Notice Symptoms Of Milia?
Milia can appear on any part of your skin.
They are most commonly found on your face. The most common areas where milia appear include:
On your eyelid or under your eyes.
On your cheeks.
On your forehead.
On your nose.
On your arms or legs.
On your genitals, like your penis.
Inside your mouth.
On your chest.
What Causes Milia?
Milia are caused by trapped dead skin cells that form small cysts under the surface of your skin.
Normally, your skin sheds old cells to make way for new ones. When old skin cells stay stuck, new skin grows over them, trapping them underneath. These trapped cells harden and develop into cysts.
Other possible causes of milia include:
Skin damage from an injury or from too much sun.
Using steroid creams or ointments for a long time.
A sign of a genetic condition.
An autoimmune response.
Are Milia Contagious?
No, milia are not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another.
Diagnosis And Tests
How Are Milia Diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider can diagnose milia by looking at your skin and examining the bumps.
A physical exam is usually enough, especially in newborns. In some cases, your provider may take a small piece of skin for testing. This is called a skin biopsy, where a small sample is removed and checked under a microscope.