Milia

How to treat this skin condition

Milia, sometimes described as “milk spots,” are small cysts filled with keratin—tough, fibrous proteins. They may be found anywhere on the body, but are often facial cysts around the eyes or mouth, resembling whiteheads. Milia often occur in newborns and can be known as baby acne. In infants, milia will usually disappear after a few weeks, leaving no-long term effects. In adults, however, treatment may be required.

How to get rid of milia

If you have only one or two milia, it is possible to treat this skin condition at home using either a hot towel or an exfoliating facial scrub. A hot, damp towel or face cloth pressed over the affected area will remove the dead skin and dirt that is causing the cyst to develop. A facial scrub containing salicylic acid will remove the top layer of skin and enable the cysts to pop out. This kind of treatment may take up to two months of daily application before the milia are removed; be sure to read the label before applying.

The worst thing you can do is pick at the milia or attempt to remove them by pricking the cyst. These methods can damage the skin and possibly leave a scar or permanent skin bumps.

If you are unsure about the proper course of treatment, it is best to consult a doctor.

Milia and the doctor

Although milia do not affect a person’s physical health, adults with this condition may feel anxious about their appearance, or they may have tried to remove the milia through picking and left scarring or a deep infection. In these cases, or where a number of milia have appeared, it is best to consult a doctor or a dermatologist. This professional may wish to perform a microdermabrasion, or even a small local surgery to remove the cysts completely. Sometimes, an injection into the center of the cyst will prevent reoccurrence. If milia reform repeatedly after treatment by a dermatologist, there may be reason to consider a more radical form of surgery or a regular prescription of antibiotics.