Milia are small, white cysts commonly seen around the cheeks. This image displays numerous small, white milia. This image displays the multiple small, white cysts typical of milia. This image displays numerous milia of the chin and neck. Milia commonly occur around the eye area, as displayed in this image. This image displays a milium, which has a "seed pearl"-like appearance. This image displays two milia lesions, one just below the eyebrow and another at the upper-inner eye corner. This image displays a single milium above the eye area.
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Milia  Information for adults

Picture of Milia: Milia are small, white cysts commonly seen around the cheeks. Divider line
Milia are small, white cysts commonly seen around the cheeks.
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Overview
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 categorized 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.
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Last Modified: 4 Feb 2011
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