What are Milia?
Introduction to Milia
Milia are small, raised, pearly-white or yellowish bumps on the skin. They are most often seen on the skin around the cheeks, nose, eyes and eyelids, forehead and chest but they can occur anywhere on the body. They are common in babies, but rarely persist. In Adults they can persist more commonly and for longer.
A milium is a small, white, raised bump on the skin. It is a type of small skin cyst filled with a protein called keratin. Many are usually found together and so they are called milia (the plural of milium). Milia are usually each about 1 or 2 millimetres across and are pearly-white or yellowish.
Do Milia cause any problems?
No, they do not usually cause any problems but, in some people, they can become itchy.
How are milia diagnosed?
They are usually diagnosed by their typical appearance and generally no investigations are needed. However, in a few cases, if the diagnosis is uncertain or if milia en plaque are suspected, your doctor may suggest a skin biopsy. During a skin biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed so that it can be examined under a microscope. There are different ways that a skin biopsy can be carried out. For example, by shaving away a small piece of skin or by using a special instrument to punch a tiny hole in the skin.
What Treatment Can We Offer?
Milia are harmless ,but in adults, where they do not always clear by themselves, we can offer diathermy treatment. This will be ok for Milia up to 2-3mm. As they are little cysts larger Milia often require full excision and as cysts we can then send them to the lab. For prices on excisions, please look at the section on small cysts and also consider laboratory costs.
Usually we offer normal Local anaesthetic. Sometimes we can offer you Emla Cream as a topical anaesthetic instead. Some patients prefer no anaesthetic as discomfort is only small. We do what you like us to do and are happy to advise.
Can I treat Milia myself?
At your own risk you can try disinfecting the area and using a sterile needle. Generally, it is not recommended to squeeze or try to treat them yourself. This can lead to skin damage and scarring or infection.
Very small 1mm milia are cheap to remove and the first one is £175* and every further one £25. Milia of 2-3mm also can usually be cauterised and will usually only cost an additional £25. Anything larger is usually.
. * Discount of £60 for consultation already applied if surgery is booked within 1 month from the consultation
What next?
If you wish to make an appointment you can contact us or book an appointment online. Alternatively you can ask for a telephone consultationn. If you do so, please read the section “How TVVS works”, thoroughly. If you are worried about pain, please click here to see how we provide painfree surgery.
We provide Minor Surgery / Skin Surgery for Lipomas, Cysts, Warts, Moles, Skin Tags, Xanthelasmas and Split Earlobes in Maidenhead, Berkshire, which is near Windsor and Ascot and Heathrow Airport and close to London, South Buckinghamshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey. TVSS are adjacent to Henley-On-Thames, Marlow, and Twyford. Also, we are close to Slough, Bracknell, Basingstoke, Egham and Gerrards Cross. Chalfont St Peter, Northolt, Harrow and Wembley. Rickmansworth, Richmond, Twickenham, Staines and Virginia Water. Sunningdale and Sunninghill, Ruislip, Reading, Wokingham and West Drayton. Uxbridge, Farnborough, Woking, Guildford. Oxford, Banbury, Milton Keynes and Coventry. Essex, Sussex, Kent, Swindon, Portsmouth and Bristol, Bath, Brighton, Eastborne and Southhampton are all no more than an 45 minutes to 2 hours away. Via the M4 we are also accessible to certain locations in South Wales