What are white fat bumps on my face ?

 Milia is the technical term for small, hard, white bumps that can show up on the face . These frustrating yet benign bumps are incredibly stubborn, lasting for weeks, months, and sometimes longer!Milia can occur in people of all ages, but they’re most common in newborns. They’re typically found on the face, eyelids, and cheeks.

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• What is a millium cyst ?

A milium cyst is small, white bump that typically appears on the nose and cheeks and under the eye .  These cysts are often found in groups, and in these cases are called milia.

The cysts occur when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. Keratin is a strong protein that is typically found in skin tissues, hair, and nail cells.

• What causes milia ?

The cause of milia in newborns is unknown. It’s often mistaken for baby acne, which is triggered by hormones from the mother. Unlike baby acne, milia doesn’t cause inflammation (swelling ) .

In older children and adults, milia are typically associated with some type of damage to the skin, such as:

• blistering due to a skin condition
• burns
• blistering injuries, such as poison ivy
• skin resurfacing procedures, such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing
• long-term use of steroid creams
• long-term sun damage

• Milia Are NOT Pimples!

If you’ve had milia, you likely wondered if they were some kind of pimple. While many people mistake the tiny, pearl-like bumps for acne, they are not the same thing. One of the easiest ways to identify milia bumps are by how they feel.

Unlike acne, milia are rather firm, and squeezing has little to no impact on them. Also unlike acne, these bumps can show up around the eyes and on parts of the face where there aren’t active oil glands. Milia also don’t have the pain associated with acne when a pimple forms and then becomes inflamed and sore. Continue Reading  >> Page 2