What is it, why does milia appear and how to eliminate it

Those white dots that are so common in babies can also affect adults. As they look like pimples, many people try to squeeze them as soon as they notice, but they can’t extract them and even hurt themselves. Although its appearance is not aesthetic, in reality there is nothing to worry about.

At the awesome.club We share what you need to know about these white spots and some tips to safely eliminate them.

This is the medical name given to those small vesicles or cysts that, at first glance, look like white dots. They are also known as milium or miliary acne. They are more frequent in babies. Perhaps you have noticed, the spots are usually on the eyelids and nose area, but adults are not exempt from having them. It is an accumulation of small scales that become trapped in small pockets on the surface of the skin in the affected area.

This is the acne that occurs in babies. It can appear within the first few days of life or a few weeks later, affecting areas such as the cheeks, forehead, chin and sometimes even the back. Like common acne, such white spots are surrounded by reddened skin. The cause is not known with certainty, some experts believe that it is due to the mother’s hormones that the baby receives while it is forming. Or it could be a reaction to the medications the child or mother is taking, as she passes them on when she breastfeeds.

Over time, miliary acne will go away on its own. The duration is from a few weeks to three months. If it has not disappeared within this period, it is advisable to consult the pediatrician to rule out another problem or prescribe an ointment to help eliminate it. Doctors say that if it appears frequently, it is a sign that the child will develop acne when they reach adolescence.

The causes of white spots in adults are different from those in babies and are known as secondary milia🇧🇷 They usually occur on any area of ​​skin after it has been exposed to a procedure or trauma, such as burns, blisters, dermabrasion, radiation therapy, sun damage, or long-term use of corticosteroid creams. We must also bear in mind that genetics influence the appearance of these white spots.

Although they are benign cysts, in adults they occur for several reasons. That is why there are several types of milia that are classified as detailed below:

juvenile milia🇧🇷 It is due to rare genetic diseases such as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, Gardner syndrome or Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome. milia in plaque🇧🇷 It originates due to genetic or autoimmune skin diseases such as lupus. Cysts can have a diameter of several centimeters. This type of milia appears mainly on the eyelids, ears, cheeks or chin and the first affected are middle-aged women, although it also occurs in adults and children. eruptive milia🇧🇷 In this case, the cysts itch and affect the face, upper arms and torso. traumatic milia🇧🇷 It is the result of trauma to the skin, such as a burn, irritation or blistering. Milia caused by certain ingredients🇧🇷 It occurs when the skin is sensitive to creams or other products that contain mineral oils or lanolin. In this area, there is also a skin reaction to steroid creams, but this side effect is rare.

In general, milia disappear on their own, as we have already said. Its presence is not an alarming sign, so it is not necessary to go to the doctor. However, there are some recommendations that are useful to help eliminate it:

Don’t squeeze or squeeze, you’ll only hurt yourself. Keep the area clean. Wash it every day with a mild soap and pat dry with a towel. Adults can apply steam to help open pores and make it easier to remove blemishes. Simply turn on the hot water in the shower, let it run for a while, and when the shower is full of steam, stay in it for five to eight minutes (remember to save water!). After that time, wash with lukewarm water and dry the skin gently with a towel. Exfoliate the area. It is recommended to use scrubs with salicylic acid, citric acid or glycolic acid. Apply rose water. This liquid has anti-inflammatory properties that are very beneficial for the skin. Rub the area that has milia two or three times a day.

In cases where it represents a real annoyance for the person, there are several treatments that only a doctor can determine whether they should be used and which one is most suitable for the patient, such as cryotherapy (application of liquid nitrogen), topical retinoids, peelings chemicals and the use of laser, among others.

Have you ever tried to squeeze a milia thinking it was a pimple? Share your experience in the comments.