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Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of primary milia?
What is the primary cause of primary milia?
Secondary milia often resolve spontaneously within weeks to months.
Secondary milia often resolve spontaneously within weeks to months.
False
What is a common characteristic of primary milia?
What is a common characteristic of primary milia?
Small, white- to-yellow cysts on the face.
Primary milia are commonly found on the face, especially on the cheeks, nose, and around the ______.
Primary milia are commonly found on the face, especially on the cheeks, nose, and around the ______.
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Match the following types of milia with their key characteristics:
Match the following types of milia with their key characteristics:
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Which of the following ingredients should be avoided by individuals with milia-prone skin?
Which of the following ingredients should be avoided by individuals with milia-prone skin?
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Milia are painful and cause itching and irritation.
Milia are painful and cause itching and irritation.
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What are some signs of milia?
What are some signs of milia?
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To prevent milia, it is recommended to use ___ moisturizers and cosmetics.
To prevent milia, it is recommended to use ___ moisturizers and cosmetics.
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Match the following treatment methods with their descriptions:
Match the following treatment methods with their descriptions:
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Study Notes
Milia
- Milia are small, dome-shaped bumps, typically 1-2 millimeters in size, resembling a pinhead.
- They appear as whitish-yellow, pearly cysts with a firm and smooth texture on the skin surface.
- Commonly found on the eyelids and under the eyes, resembling tiny embedded pearls.
- Milia occurs when keratin becomes trapped beneath the skin's surface.
- Newborns are commonly affected by primary milia, caused directly by keratin entrapment within the skin.
- Adults can also develop milia, often due to skin damage.
Types of Milia
- Primary Milia: Formed from keratin entrapment within the skin. Common in newborns.
- Secondary Milia: Arises from skin injury or trauma; more common in adults.
Key Characteristics of Milia
- Primary: Small, white-to-yellow cysts found on the face (cheeks, nose, around the eyes). Generally asymptomatic, resolving spontaneously within weeks or months in infants.
- Secondary: Same appearance as primary, but located in areas of injury or trauma. Symptoms vary with the underlying cause (e.g., pain from burns). Duration depends on the cause. Treatment options include laser therapy, manual extraction, and medications.
Risk Factors for Milia
- Genetics
- Sun exposure
- Skin trauma
- Certain medical conditions (like eczema)
- Medications (like steroids, although rare).
- Heavy creams and makeup (some ingredients, like liquid paraffin, liquid petroleum, paraffin oil, petrolatum liquid, and petroleum oil, can contribute).
Signs and Symptoms of Milia
- Small, pearly white bumps on eyelids or around eyes.
- Dome-shaped, smooth bumps resembling pearls beneath the skin.
- Whitish-yellow or yellowish-white in color.
- May appear singly or in clusters.
- Painless, without itching or irritation.
- Often remain unchanged for weeks or months and disappear on their own.
- May secrete a waxy, cheese-like discharge if ruptured.
Prevention Strategies for Milia
- Use oil-free moisturizers and makeup.
- Avoid heavy, greasy creams and cosmetics near the eyes.
- Cleanse and exfoliate the skin gently and regularly to unclog pores.
- Shave carefully, using proper techniques to avoid skin injury.
- Use daily sunscreen.
- Maintain skin hydration.
- Remove makeup before bed.
- Discard old makeup.
- Treat underlying skin conditions like eczema.
- Avoid intensive facial or chemical peels, which can make the condition worse.
Pharmacologic Treatment for Milia
- In most cases, milia resolves spontaneously.
- If bumps persist or cause distress, medications can be used like:
- Prescription retinoid creams (e.g., Tretinoin, adapalene, or trazodone) help dry out and slough off milia.
- Microdermabrasion uses fine crystals to gently exfoliate the skin's outer layers and stimulate healing.
- Electro-cautery burns off milia.
- Mild chemical peels (e.g., glycolic acid or salicylic acid).
- Manual extraction (deroofing) where a dermatologist opens the cyst and removes the contents.
- Cryotherapy freezes the bumps with liquid nitrogen.
- Laser ablation removes cysts with a focused laser.
- Surgical removal (cutting open and draining the bumps; stitches may be necessary).
- Diathermy uses heat to destroy cysts.
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Description
This quiz delves into the characteristics and types of milia, small bumps that commonly affect both newborns and adults. Learn about primary and secondary milia, their causes, and key features. Test your knowledge on this dermatological condition and enhance your understanding of skin health.
