Milia are commonly found on the skin of people of all ages. They are formed when keratin (a substance produced by the skin) becomes entrapped beneath the outer layer of the skin, forming a tiny cyst. An individual milium (the singular of milia) is formed at the base of a hair follicle or sweat gland.
Milia can be categorised as either primary or secondary. Primary milia are formed directly from entrapped keratin and are usually found on the faces of infants and adults. Secondary milia are also tiny cysts and look similar, but these develop after something clogs the ducts leading to the skin surface, such as after an injury, burn, or blistering of the skin.
What are Milia?
Milia are small white or yellowish raised cysts, bumps or spots on the skin. They are normally found around the eye area and cheeks. Milia feel quite hard and do not have any redness or inflammation. It is very common to have several Milia appear in clusters on the skin around the eyes, but it is possible to have just one Milium at a time and they can occur on any part of the body.
