Skin & Soft Tissue: Milia (Milium)

Milia (Milium)

Basics

  • Benign Sub-Epidermal Keratin Cysts
  • Causes:
    • Spontaneous
    • Healing Burns
    • Healing Blisters
    • After Dermabrasion

Presentation

  • Small, Firm White Papules
  • 1-2 mm Diameter
  • Most Common on the Face

Diagnosis

  • Mostly Clinical (Based on History and Physical Exam)
  • If Uncertain, Consider Examination Under Wood’s Lamp – Fluorescence Bright Yellow

Treatment

  • Generally Require No Treatment
  • Consider Treatment for Parent Preference (Cosmesis)
  • Treatment: Topical Retinoid

Milia 1

References

  1. Silver 442n. Wikimedia Commons. (License: Public Domain)