Introduction
Eyes are subjected to many infections, injuries, irritation, and growths (both cancerous and non-cancerous). A person might present with small, tiny bumps around and under the eye in a few cases. The patient misconceives it to be acne or a pimple. But these are called milia or milium (singular). Milia are tiny bumps of keratin trapped within the skin's structure. These might appear like whiteheads or acne, but they are not. It is seen predominantly in children and affects adults, too. Most of the time, these structures will heal on their own, but treatment has to be taken if it is bothering the vision. The color of the bumps will vary from white to yellow. It can occur on the neck and cheeks, too.
What Are the Types of Milia?
There are two types of milia, and they are,
- Primary Milia - Keratin is a protein that provides elasticity to the skin and strengthens the skin, hair, and nails. These keratin proteins will get trapped within the skin and appear as white to yellow bumps resembling acne or whiteheads.
- Secondary Milia - This is caused by an injury that results in clogged ducts.
- Neonatal Milia - It is seen in infants (children are called infants from birth to one year of age) and is often mistaken for baby acne.
- Multiple Eruptive Milia - A rare condition that presents with a group of milia on the face and abdomen and is often itchy.
What Is Milia on the Face ?
Little white cysts on the skin are called milia, or milk spots. Filled pockets beneath the skin's outermost layer are called cysts. The face is where milia are most frequently found. Milia solely has an aesthetic impact and is safe. Often, the white spots on the face are mistaken for whiteheads, a kind of acne.
How to Remove Milia Cysts?
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Application of tretinoin cream prescribed by a doctor or available over-the-counter.
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In the doctor's office, surgically extract the milia by puncturing it with a needle and extracting its contents.
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The milia on the skin can be removed using cryotherapy by freezing them.
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Treating milia plaque using antibiotics such as minocycline or medicated creams.
What Are the Symptoms of Milia Under the Eye?
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Tiny white or yellow bumps resembling acne or a pimple will be seen on the face, especially around the eyes. It will also be present in the neck, cheek, limbs, and genitals.
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These tiny bumps will not be painful like pimples.
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The milia under the eye is subjected to friction, which results in irritation and redness of the milia.
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Milium cysts are subepidermal keratin cysts that are benign and temporary lesions that appear as hard, tiny white papules in varying numbers. They are usually found on the face, although they can also occur on the upper torso, extremities, and genital area.
What Are the Causes of Milia Under the Eye?
Milia affects children and adults, and the causative factors for both differ.
In newborns,
Milia is a widespread condition. Children are born with milia, which is often mistaken for baby acne. The cause could be better known. Few experts suggest that maternal hormones could be a reason for milia. Maternal hormones like progesterone and estrogen are found to be significant during pregnancy.
In children and adults,
Milia in adults and children is a form of skin damage and is caused by,
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Skin burns are a type of first-degree burn, often present with redness, swelling, and irritation.
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Blisters.
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Resurfacing treatments like laser resurfacing, which is done to treat wrinkles, fine lines, and spots.
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Prolonged exposure to sunlight is an important cause of milia.
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Prolonged use of steroidal cream.
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Aging can cause milia. The skin will lose its tendency to exfoliate as a person ages naturally.
How to Diagnose Milia Under the Eye?
Milia can be diagnosed with a clinical examination by a dermatologist. In most cases, no other tests will be performed. However, in cases where the spots cannot be classified as milia, the doctor will certainly advise on a skin biopsy.
How to Get Rid of Milia Under the Eye?
Milia is one condition that resolves on its own in some time. But it might be seen for a prolonged period in a few cases. Though it is not a painful condition like a pimple or contains pus, it might become a cosmetic concern. There are a lot of treatments available.
- Deroofing: A sterile needle or a scalpel will be used to prick out the milia trapped within the skin. This is the standard method to remove milia under the eye, as this method can open the pore precisely to let out the trapped keratin.
- Laser Ablation: Treating milia with a laser is found to be the simplest and quickest way. The site will be anesthetized with a topical numbing gel. Then, a laser light will be projected onto the area of milia, open the pore, and destroy it.
- Cryotherapy: This technique involves the use of liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen will be applied to the site of the milia, freeze the bumps, and destroy them. This treatment method is not commonly used since the under-eye is sensitive. Liquid nitrogen application results in blisters and swelling, which eventually disappear.
- Chemical Peels: Chemical peels are considered effective in removing persistent milia. Chemical peels of ascorbic acid and salicylic acid are the common ones. These peels will deeply exfoliate the skin. Post chemical peel, the deroofing procedure can be done by making a tiny opening and extracting the keratin content. Chemical peels are a resurfacing treatment. The chemical solution will be applied to the skin to remove the top layer. Post-treatment skin redness will be visible and resolve in a few hours. This is also a sought-after treatment for wrinkles and acne.
To prevent milia from occurring again,
The face has to be kept clean. Cleansing and exfoliation are essential. Exfoliation will remove the dead skin cells; the trapped keratin will eventually reach the surface. However, over-exfoliation must be avoided around the area of the eyes since the skin is sensitive and thin. individuals have the option to purchase an exfoliator to keep the skin clean. Beauty experts suggest double cleansing, where the makeup products and sebum will be removed during the first cleansing. The second cleansing will be more like a massage to remove impurities altogether.
Face steaming is beneficial in many cases. In the case of milia, face steaming will open up the pores, and the entrapped keratin will come to the surface. Many new-age facial steamers are available on the market.
In most cases, milia will resolve on its own. But pricking or plucking the milium, like a pimple, will result in redness and irritation.
Conclusion
Milia is a simple condition that, in the majority of cases, will not require treatment. But for cosmetic concerns,. People will want to remove it. It is advisable to consult a doctor for the treatment rather than doing it for themselves since the eye is a sensitive organ
