Piglets – causes, symptoms, treatment. Where do they come from and how to remove milia?

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Piglets are very 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. However, they can occur anywhere on the body. Piglets are very common in newborns but can affect people of any age. Read what milks are and how you can get rid of them.

Piglets – what are they?

Prosaki are small, nodular-like cysts found under the skin. They are usually between 1 and 2 millimeters (mm) in size. Piglets are commonly found on the skin of people of all ages. They form when keratin (a substance produced by the skin) becomes trapped under the outer layer of the skin, forming a tiny cyst. Individual milia form at the base of a hair follicle or sweat gland. Usually, milia are not sore or itchy.

See: Purulent inflammation of the sweat glands of the armpit – what is it?

Piglets – types

There are three main types of milia: neonatal, primary and secondary:

1. neonatal piglets – these are milia that appear in newborns shortly after their birth. They are very common and are usually found around the nose, but they can also affect the scalp, cheeks, upper body and mouth. They are believed to arise from sweat glands that are not fully developed or matured. It is estimated that about half of the newborns will have milia. In fact, milia are so common they are considered normal in newborns. Piglets resolve spontaneously, usually in the first month of life, although they may persist into the second or third month. Piglets are a common source of concern for parents and it is appropriate to simply reassure them that they are mild, self-limiting.
2. primary milia – they are milia that can occur in both children and adults. Occur in the area of ​​the skin, without previous damage or injury,
3. secondary milia They are milia that develop on an area of ​​skin, anywhere on the body that has previously been damaged or injured. For example, after a burn or rash. The piglets thrive as the skin heals and it is believed that damage to the sweat glands may be the cause. 

See: Rash in an infant – types

Piglets – causes

Piglets usually occur because of a build-up of dead skin and trapped in pores near the skin’s surface. If this build-up is not removed naturally, it can develop into a small cyst called milia.

Secondary piglets occur when sweat ducts become clogged. This is usually due to some kind of skin trauma or infection. Secondary piglets may also appear as a result of laser treatments or chemical peels on the skin. The rise of the milieu is also associated with many lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, smoking, poor personal hygiene, excessive use of oil-based cosmetic products, and long-term use of steroids.

See: Relationship between smoking and the course of COVID-19. WHO recommendations

Differences between milkies and atheromas

These two types of skin changes are often confused with each other. So it’s worth knowing how to tell them apart. First of all, milia are smaller than atheromas. The former look like warts, while the latter are more like purulent pustules. In addition, piglets have a more uniform structure and occur in groups or several in a given area of ​​the face.

Skin changes should be consulted with a dermatologist. Consultation of contracts without leaving home via the halodoctor.pl portal. The visit will take place online in the form chosen by the patient. Check what is worth knowing about purulent skin diseases.

How can milks be removed?

There are several ways to get rid of these skin changes. However, it is worth starting with prophylaxis. It is worth taking care of the skin without blocking the pores with greasy creams, comedogenic makeup cosmetics or many layers of foundation. However, substances with mild acids and the use of chemical peels are useful.

Read more about exfoliating cosmetics: Everything you need to know about peels

However, if milia have appeared on our skin, we can try to do something with them, choosing home remedies or going to a beauty salon. If you want to deal with them yourself, you can choose creams that contain glycolic acid, almond acid, AHA, PHA, BHA. These substances exfoliate and penetrate the skin deeply. Thanks to this, they can combat milia. For the effects to be visible, the creams should be used daily for three months.

However, it is worth knowing that this method is intended only for the autumn and spring periods, when the skin is not exposed to strong sun or frost. Some people also use tea oil. It is used as a compress on areas with skin lesions. However, it must be applied for 3 hours. A big plus is that after a week the skin peels off, and with it milia.

These skin changes can also be removed by a beautician. The most preferred method is to pierce the milky with a needle at an equivalent angle, thus unblocking the sebum outlet. This method should be performed by a professional, and the procedure itself costs up to PLN 50. Another technique is electrocoagulation, which uses high-frequency electric current. You can also try the popular method of freezing.

A good solution is also a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or other treatments aimed at exfoliating dead skin. There is one more and the most expensive method, which is the laser. The price of such a procedure is about PLN 150-600.

Unfortunately, even if you manage to get rid of milia, you have to be prepared for the fact that they may reappear just six months after the removal procedure. That is why it is worth focusing on prevention, i.e. care and observation. For the care of milky-prone skin, try Bioherba’s Rosacea Cream, which thoroughly cleans the pores and prevents the appearance of unsightly changes.