Milium is a kind of cyst that usually appears like white bumps or seeds on the face, nose, cheeks, eyelids, lip, around the eyes, or genital area.
Milium cysts usually appear in groups which are called milia.
Newborns get it more than adults.
However infant milia disappear naturally after a few weeks, but in adults, it can become a recurring cyst issue that lasts for months.
There is a lot of similarity between milia and Palatal cysts or Epstein pearls in infants, but they are not the same.
Palatal cysts are white or yellow cystic vesicles often seen in the median palatal raphe of the mouth of newborn children.
In common parlance, milia are incorrectly termed as baby acne.
Milia in adults are usually yellow or white but not so itchy or painful.
Just like the whiteheads or blackheads, they can appear on any part of the body. However, milia seeds or milk spots are usually seen in areas of the body like the eyelid, lip, nose, around the eyes, under the eyes, ear, genital area, face, and foreheads.
Further, in this article, you can read about what causes milia, milia extraction tips, milia removal cream, and milia home remedies.
What Causes Milia?
What causes milia in newborn babies is entirely unknown.
Probably, the so-called “baby acne” is triggered by the hormone issues acquired from the mother.
Tiny white milia seeds that appear on newborn babies do not cause inflammation.
According to a report from the Stanford School Of Medicine, some newborn babies are born with milia. These tiny white bumps are usually not seen in babies already a few weeks old.
Now let us see why the adults get milia.
According to a study report published by Oncology Letters, milia originate from the hair bulge of the outer root sheath.
Some of the adults get milia because of dead skin build-up and getting blocked in the pores below the surface of the skin.
The clogged pores get infected by bacteria, and this finally produces small white cysts in some areas of the skin.
Another reason for white bumps on the skin is keratin (a type of protein) getting trapped beneath the skin surface.
Milia can also happen when the sweat ducts below the skin surface are blocked by something. Some of the reasons for sweat ducts getting blocked are chemical peels, laser treatments, skin trauma, infections, blistering, or herpes.
Reasons like lack of sleep, improper personal hygiene, use of oils, smoking, dehydration, or long-term steroid usage may result in milia.
Here are a few more common causes of milia in an adult:
- burns
- blistering on the skin
- blistering injuries like poison ivy
- dermabrasion or laser resurfacing
- Sun damage.
Types of Milia
Milia are classified into various types according to causes, symptoms, age, and the area of the skin where they appear.
- Neonatal Milia: A type of milia that appears in newborn children, which is also known as infant milia or baby acne. They appear mostly on the face, upper torso, and scalp of the baby.
- Juvenile Milia: It is caused by genetic disorders such as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, Gardner syndrome, pachyonychia congenital, or Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome.
- Primary Milia: It is caused by keratin clogged under the skin surface. This usually occurs around the eyes, eyelids, forehead, and genitalia.
- Milia en Plaque: It is caused by autoimmune or genetic skin disorders like lichen planus or discoid lupus. These are widespread cysts that are mostly seen in middle-aged women. This type of white bump occurs on the eyelids, cheeks, jaw, or ears.
- Multiple Eruptive Milia: It produces itching in the affected areas of the skin, like the upper arms, face, and torso.
- Traumatic Milia: It happens in areas surrounding injuries on the skin, such as burns and rashes.
Milia Extraction
Milia extraction is done with the help of a milia remover needle, comedone extractor, or lancing tool.
Milia extraction procedures are as follows:
- Gently clean the cysts affected area of the skin; preferably with an acne cleanser.
- Use a sterile milia removal needle to drill a tiny incision on the skin covering the cyst.
- Gently remove the contents of the cyst with the tip of the needle without causing any trauma to the skin.
Warnings on milia extraction with a needle
Milia removal with a needle is one of the last resorts to get rid of the cyst. It can make cysts infectious and leave scars on the skin if not done correctly.
Using a hyfrecator or electrolysis to extract milia is a better option than using the needle.
It is important to soften the skin by using a non-abrasive exfoliating cleanser and cream containing Vitamin A (Retinol) before you proceed to remove milia with a needle.
Children have delicate and sensitive skin that may not withstand the injury to the skin caused by the needle.
Needling the bumps on the skin can cause bleeding, scab, and scar.
As for infants, allow the milia to disappear naturally.
Milia Treatment Cream
You can get a milia removal cream as OTC products are sold in a pharmacy near you.
Look out for creams or lotions containing Retinol. It has exfoliating properties that help keep the skin supple and clear.
Retinol is a highly recommended lotion for managing acne and wrinkles.
Creams with Vitamin A are beneficial for improving the overall health and texture of the skin.
Apply Retinol directly on the milia-affected area of the skin 30 minutes after you cleanse the area.
While using the milia treatment cream, make sure not to apply it on the eyelids and around the eyes. Retinol can cause irritation and damage to the eyes.
When you have milia on the face, strictly avoid using makeup products and beauty creams, as this might aggravate cysts and cause infections.
Heavy creams and cosmetics block the skin pores, and this will increase the outbreak of cysts.
DIY Milia Removal
Home remedies are best for getting rid of milia fast.
You can choose from several natural remedies available to you for treating cysts.
Here are 7 milia home remedies that we have found to be very effective:
1. Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrub is fantastic for exfoliating the skin and opening up the clogged pores. That is exactly what is needed for getting rid of cysts and acne.
For preparing the sugar scrub, use two tablespoons of granulated sugar, one teaspoon of olive oil, and five drops of lemon juice.
Use this mixture to scrub the acne-prone areas of the skin; rinse off the application after 20 minutes.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help in desisting and removing milia seeds.
Cleanse the cysts-affected area with an acne cleanser. Apply 4 drops of tea tree oil diluted in 1 teaspoon of olive oil on the affected area of the skin.
Repeat the treatment twice daily for the fast removal of cysts.
3. Facial Sauna
A facial sauna is an effective home remedy for fighting all types of acne and cysts.
It helps to unclog the skin pores by removing the dead skin cells and keratin deposits.
Soak a clean sauna towel in hot water and wring out the excess water from the towel. Compress this wet and warm towel on the face and cysts affected area for a few minutes.
Repeat the sauna treatment twice daily till you fully get rid of milia bumps on the skin.
Instead of the sauna towel, you may also use a facial sauna steamer to get the same results.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel is an excellent home remedy for getting rid of milia fast.
Aloe Vera contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that bring about soothing and healing effects to inflamed cysts.
It also cleanses and clears up the clogged skin pores and removes blemishes.
Massage the affected area with fresh Aloe Vera gel, leave it overnight, and rinse it off in the morning with cold water.
5. Fenugreek Leaves
Fenugreek leaves are a traditional remedy for treating all types of acne, including milia.
Fenugreek leaves contain potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties that prevent and heal milky bumps on the skin.
Grind the fresh Fenugreek leaves with the required amount of water to get a paste-like consistency.
Apply the paste to the affected area of the skin and wash it off after 15 minutes.
Repeat the treatment twice a day till the white bumps are totally gone.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar and Cornstarch
It is easy to get rid of milia by using a paste made of cornstarch and apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is great for curing all types of cysts because it returns the acidity to our skin and restores the acid mantle.
ACV also kills bacteria causing white bumps and clears the clogged pores by removing dead skin cells, oil, and makeup residues.
Cornstarch is a natural skin purifier that absorbs oil and removes excess sebum from the skin, thereby healing and preventing cysts.
Take a tablespoon of cornstarch and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to make a paste.
Apply this paste to the area with white bumps eruption and rinse it off after 30 minutes.
Repeat this home remedy for white bumps daily till you get clear skin.
7. Rose Water and Sandalwood Powder
Using a paste made of sandalwood powder and rose water is an effective natural treatment for getting rid of milia.
Sandalwood is well known for its efficacy in deep cleansing of skin and reduction of oil and blemishes.
Rosewater is another great natural beauty product for clearing the clogged pores of the skin.
Both these ingredients also contain natural skin brightening and scar removal properties.
Take a teaspoon of sandalwood powder and add to it the required amount of rose water to make a paste-like consistency.
Apply this paste evenly on the skin and leave it overnight; rinse off the application in the morning.
How to Manage Milia?
If you are wondering how to get rid of milia bumps, here are your answers to your concerns.
Keep your face and skin clean.
Wash your face twice a day. Use warm water and an acne cleanser for deep cleaning of clogged pores.
Lifestyle Changes
Make suitable changes in lifestyle, such as avoiding fatty foods, smoking, oil-based skin creams, and makeup products. Get enough physical exercise, good sleep, and drink a minimum of 8 cups of water daily to prevent acne and cysts.
Regularly exfoliate your skin.
If you are prone to acne, it is important to do the exfoliation of facial skin twice a week. Make use of good quality exfoliating moisturizers or products for opening up the clogged pores and clearing dirt.
Protect your skin from sun damage.
One of the common causes of milia is sun-damaged skin. If you have acne-prone skin, you should not venture out into the sunlight. If you have to be in the sun, make sure to wear a hat, apply sunscreen lotion with higher SPF, and use an umbrella.
Apply Retinol
Daily application of retinol-based cream or lotion on the acne-affected areas of the skin can get rid of white bumps on the skin.
Use niacin supplement
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is extremely useful for maintaining healthy skin and is capable of preventing milia and acne. Do not take more than 1500 mg of niacin per day.
Have biotin supplements
Biotin, or Vitamin H, is an essential vitamin for healthy skin.
Only healthy skin can resist and heal common skin issues like all types of acne, including milia. Do not take more than 35 mcg of biotin per day.
Stop using cosmetics and beauty creams.
Regularly wearing heavy makeup and applying beauty creams can clog your skin pores and cause the outbreak of white bumps on the skin. Avoid them completely to get rid of milia bumps from the skin.
Avoid itching
Do not scratch or pop the white cyst bumps on your face and skin. Scratching can make the milia bumps inflamed and also lead to infection and the spread of cysts, which leave scars and blemishes on the skin.
Consult A Dermatologist
If you have a recurring eruption of white bumps resulting from milia, it is good to have regular medication prescribed by a dermatologist. A dermatologist can also try various milia removal treatments to get rid of the white bumps from the skin.
Final Thoughts
It is easy to get rid of milia with simple home remedies, personal hygiene, and medication.
However, white bumps on the eyelids and around the eyes need to be treated with gentle home remedies that do not hurt the eyes.
Retinol cream is the best OTC product that works as an excellent cyst removal treatment.
A dermatologist should do milia extraction with a needle, lancer, or Microdermabrasion, as these procedures require skill and knowledge.