Milia can occur in people of all ages, and or either sex.
Treating adults with milia
Skin specialist
Bernie Fahy
MILIA are tiny white cysts that appear on the skin, most commonly under the eyes, or on eyelids or cheeks. They can appear at any age, but are most common in newborns and may appear because of immature sebaceous glands.
Symptoms
Milia can become a problem for a number of reasons. Using oily moisturisers or sunscreens, specifically meant for the face and not the eyelids, is a common cause while sun exposure, lack of vitamin A, a diet rich in protein and dry skin are other reasons for the occurrence of Milia.
Treatment
Well established milia have to be pierced with a sterile probe to create an opening, in order to release hard deposits.
This procedure is quick, safe, and highly effective, and can greatly improve the overall look of your skin. An antiseptic must then be used for 24 hours post treatment to heal the skin.
Who’s at Risk?
Milia can occur in people of all ages, of any ethnicity, and of either sex. Milia are so common in newborn babies (occurring in up to 50 per cent of them) that they are considered normal.
Secondary milia
- Burns.
- Blistering injury to skin, such as poison ivy.
- Following skin resurfacing procedures, such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.
- Following long term use of steroid creams.
- Chronic skin damage.
Primary milia
Primary milia in infants tend to heal on its own within several weeks, but primary milia found in adults tend to be long lasting.
Do not remove at home as they tend to leave a scar.
Your skin care specialist would be best to advise you on a suitable regime.
Bernie Fahy works in Ballinrobe, Westport and Galway. She can be contacted at 086 2220125 or info@bernietheskinspecialist.com. For more information, visit
www.bernietheskinspecialist.com.
