Have you ever noticed tiny bright red spots on your skin that came out of now here? If so, you may be one of the few people affected by milialar disease a rare skin condition that causes small blood blisters to form. Chances are you’ve never heard of milialar disease before not many people have. Even some dermatologists go their whole career without seeing a single case. But if you’re reading this, you or someone you know has likely been diagnosed with this perplexing skin disorder.
What Is Milialar Disease?
Milialar disease is a rare skin condition characterized by small white bumps on the face, especially around the eyes. These bumps, known as milia form when dead skin cells get trapped below the skin surface. While unsightly, milia are typically harmless and painless.
Milia often appear in groups and can last for weeks or months. The underlying cause isn’t always known, though milia frequently occur when skin has been damaged or inflamed. Possible triggers include harsh skin care products, sun exposure
To get rid of milia you have a few options. You can try using retinol creams or gentle exfoliates to unclog pores and slough off dead skin cells. For stubborn milia extraction by a dermatologist may be necessary.
The good news is milia themselves don’t scar. However, improper at-home extraction attempts can lead to scarring or infection. So, see a dermatologist for professional extraction, especially for milia around the sensitive eye area. With regular exfoliation and miniaturization, milia often don’t recur. But if they do come back
Symptoms and Causes of Milialar
The two hallmark signs of milialar disease are the tiny blisters or cysts that form on your skin (called milia) and the skin redness (erythema) that accompanies them.
Skin blisters (milia)
Tiny white or yellowish blisters usually 1 3 millimeters in size form on your skin, often in clusters. They contain keratin a protein found in skin hair and nails. Milia usually appear on the face especially around the eyes nose and cheek though they can form any where on the body.
Facial redness (erythema)
In many cases, the areas surrounding the milia become red, inflamed or itchy. This facial redness tends to flare up when the milia first emerge and may come and go. The redness is caused by inflammation in the skin from the milia blocking hair follicles and oil glands.
Milia and erythema are caused by a buildup of dead skin cells that block hair follicles and oil glands in the skin. This blockage traps keratin and sebum underneath, forming the blisters and leading to inflammation. Milialar disease can affect anyone, though it’s most common in middle-aged adults and tends to run in families.
The good news Is milialar disease is usually not serious and often clears up on its own within a few weeks. However, if the blisters or redness bother you, a dermatologist can remove the milia and provide treatments to reduce inflammation and prevent new milia from forming.
Treatment Options for Milialar
Treatment for milialar disease focuses on managing symptoms and preventing flare-ups. There are several options available depending on the severity of your condition.
Topical corticosteroids
Corticosteroid creams and ointments can help reduce inflammation redness and itching. Mild over the counter hydrocortisone cream may be sufficient for minor flare ups. For more severe or persistent rashes a dermatologist can prescribe stronger topical corticosteroids. Use as directed to avoid skin thinning and damage.
Oral medications
For widespread or severe milialar disease oral medications such as corticosteroids immunosuppressant and retinoids may be used to gain control of the condition Corticosteroids like prednisone help reduce inflammation Immunosuppressant such as azathioprine and mycophenolate suppress an overactive immune system Isoprenoid a strong retinoid can help clear pores and reduce oil production
Light therapy
Ultraviolet light treatments, such as narrow band UVB, are also used for stubborn milialar disease. Controlled UV light exposure helps reduce inflammation and improve skin cell turnover. Light therapy may be used alone or in combination with topical and oral medications.
With proper treatment and prevention, milialar disease can often be managed well. But some may continue to experience periodic flare-ups and require ongoing care. The good news is, most cases of milialar disease do not cause any lasting problems or scarring when properly treated.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the basics on milialar disease. While rare it’s important to understand this condition and how it can impact those affected. The good news is, with proper diagnosis and treatment the symptoms are often manageable. If you experience unusual skin lesions or bumps especially on the face see your dermatologist.