What Is Milia (milk spots)?
Milia are small, hard white bumps under the surface of the skin commonly known as milk spots. They are common in all ages and both sexes, especially among young babies but also present as adult milia.
They most often arise on the face and are particularly prominent around the eyes (white spots near the eye), on the eyelids, and on cheeks but they may occur elsewhere.
What Causes Milia?
What causes milia in adults?
Milia is caused by trapped dead skin cells (keratin) in your skin clogging up the sweat ducts.
Milia tend to occur after a trauma like a rash due to allergic reactions and irritation from harsh products. After an injury, burn, or blistering of the skin, the number of skin cells trapped under the skin’s surface can increase. Common areas are milia on the eyelid, milia on the forehead, and around the eyes.
Another important factor that can cause milia is using face creams that are too rich thus preventing natural exfoliation from occurring. Sun damage is another contributing factor.
Although they are harmless, many people with milia would prefer to remove them.
They can sometimes clear up by themselves without treatment but with milia in adults, they can be stubborn to clear lasting for a few weeks or persist for months or sometimes longer!
