Milia, more commonly known as milk spots on babies, are the small white spots that can be seen on the skin of infants and toddlers. These milk spots are mainly benign cysts that are filled with keratin. They are usually seen around the mouth, under the surface of the skin, but in some cases, they can appear on the baby’s forehead, nose, genitals and the eye area. Although milk spots are more common in newborn babies, they can affect children of any age. For babies who have these milk spots on eyelids at birth, they can be a constant source of irritation. Unfortunately, it is not very easy to identify milk spots on babies and they are often mistaken for other problems. There have been instances where people have thought milk spots on infants to be white heads that are very stubborn. When milk spots appear on the genital area, parents often mistake them for warts.
The exact causes of milk spots on babies is still not clear, but many health experts believe that they could be a result of creams or soaps that contain chemicals, which are either harsh or do not suit the baby’s skin. At times, extreme heat, like the hot weather or bathing the baby with hot water could also lead to milk spots on babies’ skins. In some cases, lack of adequate hygienic measures could be the cause of milk spots baby acne.
In most cases, it is not necessary to treat milk spots on a baby, since this problem usually gets resolved within two to four weeks. However, since these milk spots are unsightly and could cause irritation to the baby, there are some parents who opt for home remedies for getting rid of the spots. The best thing to do is to exfoliate the baby’s skin gently, with a mild, preferably homemade, facial scrub. This scrub can be made by soaking a handful of almonds in water, for around 3 to 4 hours and then grinding them, with a small amount of milk. Another effective remedy is to dip a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water. The excess water should be squeezed out, before being placed on the baby’s skin, on the affected area. The cloth needs to remain there, till it turns cold. This can help the milk spots soften and shed off within a week.
It is best to have a doctor check all cases of milk spots on babies, before using any home remedies or other treatment options.
The small white spots that often appear on children’s and infants’ faces are known as milia. They are also commonly known as milk spots. These are basically cysts, filled with keratin and are usually benign. They usually occur near the mouth area, just under the surface skin or the epidermis. Common in new born babies, the milk spots can actually affect anyone of any age.
These spots can also be found on other areas of the face like the nose, around the eyes and the forehead, and also on the genitals. Milk spots are not really easily identifiable and are often mistaken for other things. For example on the face, people make the mistake of thinking that the milk spots are actually white heads that have grown stubborn. On the genitalia, these are often mistaken for symptoms of an STD or warts.
The milk spots often disappear in two to four weeks without any treatment when they occur in babies. However, if these occur in adults, they can require a minor surgical procedure for removal.
Even though no definite cause for milk spots has been identified, it is thought that the chemicals in harsh soaps or face washes and creams could cause the milk spots to occur. Stress on the skin due to hot showers or excessive heat from the sun could also cause milk spots. Poor hygiene could also be a cause of the appearance of these spots. When they are on the face, they look very unattractive and if they appear on the eyelids, they can often be irritating.
Keratin, the substance inside the cyst like spots, is a protein that functions to provide strength and elasticity to the skin. To get rid of the spots on your baby’s face, here are some home remedies that you can try.