Milium on the skin: what it is and how to treat it effectively

Many people may have noticed, at some point, the appearance of a small yellowish-white ball on the skin, especially on the face, without knowing what it is or why it happens.

This is nothing more than a milium, a small cyst caused by an obstruction just below the epidermis, which is the most superficial layer of the skin. But it is common that, at first, many imagine it is acne, as there is a visual similarity.

The difference is that milium is not formed from sebum, but from keratin, a protein that makes up the most superficial layer of the skin.

Because of this, these lesions have a tougher and a little bulkier appearance, which can cause aesthetic discomfort, since, even with makeup, they can remain apparent.

How does milium arise?

The appearance of milium has no definite cause. In general, it arises spontaneously, when some cells proliferate, causing the dead skin to be “stuck”, forming small bags. This can happen to any skin type, whether oily, dry or normal.

Dermatologist Marian Orlandi explains that milium on the skin can be just one or multiple lesions, which are called milia.

According to her, these balls appear mainly around the nose and eyelids. But they can appear anywhere on the body, even in the genital region.

Existing milium types

According to the dermatologist, milium on the skin can manifest itself in two different ways:

Primary milium: The primary form manifests itself in newborns, appears in the region around the nose and usually disappears spontaneously between two to four weeks after birth.

Secondary milium: The secondary form can appear anywhere on the body and at any age. It is caused by the proliferation of epidermis cells, which can happen either as a genetic consequence or by healing processes after trauma, procedures or skin diseases.

In both cases the diagnosis does not require tests. Only a clinical analysis is made by the dermatologist, who will evaluate each one and indicate, if necessary, some type of treatment.

How to remove and treat?

In general, the treatment consists of removing the lesions by the dermatologist through a simple, but delicate and careful extraction, always performed in the office. “It is not recommended to remove it at home, as there can be bacterial infection and, in more serious cases, cause unwanted scars”, he warns.

There are also other options such as chemical peels, crystal/diamond peels, lasers and skin cleansing. “There is no urgency for treatment, as it is a benign lesion that does not cause pain or itching. But often there is a nuisance from an aesthetic point of view, and more rarely it can grow,” he explains.

In some cases, when there is a genetic tendency, new lesions may appear. In these specific situations, removal procedures should be performed more frequently. In addition, it is recommended to do daily and adequate cleaning of the skin, weekly exfoliation and use of creams containing acids. “These are ways to avoid the accumulation of keratin, as they stimulate cell renewal, reducing the formation of new milium”, he concludes.