Milia are tiny, white lumps that can appear on the faces of newborn babies, as well as those of young children and adults. They usually don't need treatment as they are harmless and usually go away by themselves.
There is no established treatment recommended for milia, although a daily skin care routine needs to be followed. Most of the bumps on the baby's skin will heal spontaneously, though it takes a couple of weeks post-birth to fully resolve.
Most often, the white spots on the skin heal on their own without treatment. But, if your child feels self-conscious, your healthcare provider may advise treating the patches with moisturizers or other topical medications to speed the healing process.
Milia are tiny lumps or blisters that sometimes come up on babies' faces soon after birth. They happen when the sweat glands get blocked. The glands get blocked because they aren't yet fully developed. Milia are very common.
It can be upsetting to see your beautiful infant's skin covered in these little bumps, but they'll go away without any treatment in two or three weeks. Unlike baby acne, milia do not cause inflammation or swelling. You may also spot similar bumps on your baby's gums or on the roof of her mouth.
They don't leave scars and trying to squeeze or burst them at home is not recommended. While around half of newborn babies have milia, the bumps usually go away without treatment in several weeks to months. They are hard to prevent but it can help to gently wipe your baby's face every day.
The spots are called milia (say "MIL-ee-uh"). Sometimes white spots appear on the gums and the roof of the mouth (palate), where they are called Epstein pearls. The white spots go away by themselves in a few weeks and aren't harmful.
Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. While harmless, these white spots indicate that you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can present itself as white spots or patches on your skin. Since vitamin B-12 is also essential for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, you may also be at risk for pernicious anemia, a condition that causes pale skin, fever, and weight loss.
Milia treatment at home
Try using an exfoliating cleanser that contains salicylic acid, citric acid or glycolic acid once a week or more. At-home chemical peels that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid can also be helpful, but ask your dermatologist for advice on the best product to use.
Milia are tiny, hard white bumps that appear on your skin. Anyone can get them on any part of the body, but they most often happen on infants' faces. They are harmless and painless and usually disappear on their own after a few weeks.
There are many different ways to treat and remove milia. Some home remedies include using a warm compress, milkweed extract, retinoid cream, exfoliating cleanser, or essential oils. You can also try over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid.
If you're dealing with milia, Dr. Nussbaum recommends switching to a lightweight water-based moisturizer.
Dr. Marchbein also adds that if you're someone who is prone to milia, you should try a skin-care routine using a combination of noncomedogenic products like the Best of Beauty Award-winning Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, along with a cream or moisturizer containing a retinoid.
Milia or 'milk spots'
Milia are tiny, hard, white spots that look like pimples on a baby's nose. They are sometimes called milk spots. They happen because of the oil glands. They do not need treatment and will disappear on their own.
Small white spots on the skin can indicate a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body. This deficiency can lead to low levels of melatonin, contributing to the white spots on your skin including your face. Other than this, deficiencies in vitamins D and vitamin E can also cause white patches on the skin.
Neither baby acne nor milia are usually a cause for concern and should disappear by themselves. Never be tempted to squeeze them, scrub them, or use any product not discussed with a healthcare professional. Doing so could cause scarring and long-term damage to your baby's delicate skin.
If the doctor diagnoses primary milia in an infant, no treatment is necessary, as the condition will resolve on its own within a few weeks. However, persistent and stubborn milia may occasionally be treated with the following: Topical retinoid cream such as tretinoin, tazarotene, or adapalene.
While milia cannot be prevented, the bumps will usually clear on their own in a few weeks to a month.