What are the Causes of Milia?

Our skin can suffer different types of abnormal or irregular conditions. It is prone to having acne, pimples, rashes, allergic reactions and a lot more. This is probably due to the constant exposure of the skin to the outside environment, which is full of dust and other particles that can cause irritation. However, there are also skin conditions that are still quite unfamiliar to some people. An example of this is the condition called milia. So what are milia and what are the causes of milia?

What is Milia?

Milia is a type of irregularity in the skin that is commonly experienced by infants. However, milia outbursts can also occur in adults. Milia is described as white spots that generally appear on the skin of the face particularly around the mouth area. These white spots also appear just under the skin as well as at the roof of the mouth. Because of its white appearance, milia is commonly called as oil seeds or tiny milk spots. These spots are generally witnessed in newborn infants and would normally disappear after some time without any treatment. This will usually last for only 2 to 4 weeks. However, if these milia appear on adults, the removal of it requires the expertise of a cosmetologists or a skin physician.

Possible Causes of Milia

Milia can be caused by a lot of f actors. This is why it is important for us to know what these factors are in order to lessen the risk of having milia on our skin. Some of the most common causative agents of this skin condition are listed below.
• Clogged or trapped dead skin cells at the surface of the skin or the mouth.
• Over use of oily moisturizers and/or sunscreens that are ideally made for the face and not on the eyelids.
• Over exposure to the heat of the sun
• Constant use of oil based cosmetics or make-ups like lip balm and the like.
• Lack of essential vitamins specifically vitamin A.
• Constant contact of skin to rough surfaces or materials such as rough linen or clothing. This can lead to easy irritation of the skin especially among infants.
• Diet that is rich in protein, cholesterol and fats such as egg yolks, mayonnaise etc. can increase the chances of having milia.

These are just some of the most common causes of milia. In addition to these, milia can also produce different symptoms aside from the production of white spots around the mouth area. Below are some of the symptoms that milia can entail.
• Presence of white bumps near the cheeks, chin and nose.
• Production of white bumps around the gums, mouth and as well as the eyes.
• Can produce white spots on inflamed and injured parts of the skin.
• Irritation to the milia can cause reddening or color discoloration; however, the point remains white.

Common Treatments for Milia

Although milia naturally or automatically disappear in infants, there are still available treatments that can be used effectively by adults in order to treat or reduce the symptoms or the severity of the skin condition. These treatments include the following:
• Direct removal of the milia with the help of the doctor or the cosmetologist.
• Use of glycolic Acids and/or aloe vera in massaging the skin around the areas affected by the milia most especially near the eyes.
• Anti-aging creams and gels can also be utilized in combination with firming and light diffusing ingredients as a replacement to body moisturizers.
• Tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide can also be used as a treatment for milia. However, a doctor’s recommendation is needed in order to ensure safety with the use of these drugs.
• Mouth milia in infants can be reduced or removed faster by gently washing or wiping the baby’s face with warm water. The face must be dabbed dry in order not to further irritate the skin.
• Never squeeze or prick the milia in infants since this can cause more irritation and infection of the skin.
• Application of lotions, creams and other moisturizers must be avoided both in infant or adult milia cases.
• Marks can be observed after milia have disappeared. These must be consulted with the doctor in order to provide proper topical agents in curing or reducing the skin marks.

Nevertheless, it is much better for us to learn how to prevent milia rather than treating it. As we all know, prevention is always better than cure, which is why listed below are some of the ways for us to learn how to prevent milia from occurring in our skin.
• Use only gentle scrubs in order to exfoliate the dead skin cells on the skin of the face. This prevents the dead skin from accumulating which can lead to higher chances of milia formation.
• Prevent too much exposure to the sun
• Avoid the constant use of oil based cosmetics and moisturizers
• Gently wipe the face of the infant with warm water to remove dead skin
• Use specific eye gels and glycolic acid or chamomile in order to nourish the skin particularly around the eye.
• Prevent accumulation of toothpaste foam around the mouth while brushing the teeth.

These are just some of the useful ways for us to prevent the occurrence of milia. Some experts say that milia are very hard to avoid, but with the practice of proper skin care, the chances of having milia can be significantly reduced.

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