Those irritating white bumps on the skin…
… ARE HARMLESS, AND CAN BE TREATED TO AN EXTENT, SAY DERMATOLOGISTS
Have you ever noticed small white bumps on your nose, cheeks or eyelids? You might call them whiteheads or think they’re just small pimples, but that is not what they are. Dermatologists call them Milia. These protrusions are groups of cysts. Although milia frequently occur in newborn babies, adults also fall prey to this skin issue.
A result of trapped keratin – a strong protein typically found in skin tissues, hair and nail cells – beneath the surface of the skin, milia cysts are usually found on the face, lips, eyelids and cheeks. However, these cysts can be found on other parts of the body, such as the torso or genitalia, as well.
According to consultant dermatologist and trichologist Dr Sonali Kantak, milia are often associated with minor damage to the skin. Intense facial massage, strong facials, frequent scrubbing, harsh skin care products, sun damage, some diseases which cause blisters, and burns too can cause the formation or spread of milia.
“In rare cases, some medicines can lead to milia formation.
They are often confused with baby acne,” says Dr Kantak. However, unlike baby acne, milia don’t cause inflammation or swelling and they go away on their own. “Milia do not cause any serious problems and can exist for long durations without causing any harm. They may disappear spontaneously. They can only cause a cosmetic concern,” concurs Dr Shilpi Bhadani, plastic and aesthetic surgeon and founder of SB Aesthetics in Gurugram.
Milia are usually classified on the basis of the sufferer’s age and the causative factors. They are divided into primary and secondary categories. While primary milia are formed directly from entrapped keratin, secondary milia are formed when the skin surface is blocked owing to an injury, burn or blistering. “New- born milia are primary milia and they develop spontaneously. Adult milia may be prevented by regular exfoliation, which helps in keeping the accumulation of dead cells in control,” says Dr Bhadani.
According to experts, milia often tend to recur in spite of treatment, since the exact causes may be difficult to ascertain.
Milia associated with other skin conditions or injuries, can be treated. “Vitamin A- based retinoid creams can be tried for early lesions. Surgical treatments like needling with manual expression of the inside material, curettage, electrofulguration, radiofrequency, and carbon dioxide laser lead to immediate removal of milia,” explains Dr Kantak. She however, cautions that the treatment should be performed by a trained dermatologist. “In the wrong hands, it can cause scarring and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” she warns.