Something to ponder about...

Milia are tiny white spots that appear just under the skin or at the roof of the mouth. Nose and/or eyes are the areas affected by milia. The other common names for milia are oil seeds and/or tiny milk spots.

Milia are generally witnessed by newborn babies. When it appears in adults it needs to be removed by a cosmetologist or physician. In newborns, milia disappear automatically within two to four weeks.

While a normal whitehead would rupture and go away, milia have developed a thin cover of skin cells that causes them to harden and turn into cysts." The cyst then pushes up under, but not through, the surface of the skin, causing stubborn bumps that won't go away.

Using products that are too rich for your skin is one of the most common causes of milia, especially around the eyes. "The skin around your eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, so it is much easier to smother it," Kunin says. Creamy eye shadows, heavy eye creams and oily makeup removers can be culprits, so stick with powder shadows and look for products labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic (meaning they don't clog pores). Suggestions from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_6_24/ai_n9481968/
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover with aloe and cucumber extracts
Aveda Pure Comfort Eye Makeup Remover with chamomile and cucumber
Clinique Moisture Surge Eye Gel with green-tea and aloe extracts
Clarins Eye Contour Gel with the antioxidant apricot and moisturizing shea butter Zia Natural Skincare Essential Eye Gel with hyaluronic acid and witch hazel extract .

It's easier to prevent new milia from forming than to clear up existing bumps. Though switching to lighter products may cause the milia to eventually disappear on their own, more often they must be punctured in order to remove the debris that's accumulated inside, Kunin says. This is a delicate procedure in the sensitive eye area, she warns, and should only be done by a dermatologist; never attempt it yourself, as scarring can result.

Causes of Milia
Milia can be a result of many factors. Some of the causes are listed below:

* Trapped dead skin at the surface of the skin or mouth
* Use of oily moisturizers or sunscreens specifically meant for the face and not eyelids
* Sun exposure
* Use of oil-based cosmetics like lip balm, etc
* Lack of essential vitamins like vitamin A
* Rough linen or clothing that can irritate the skin of infants
* Diet rich in proteins, fat and cholesterol like egg yolks, margarine, etc

Symptoms of Milia
The most common signs or symptoms of milia are listed here below:

* White bumps on the cheeks, chin and nose of infants
* White bumps on the gums, mouth or eyes
* Can appear on inflamed and injured parts as well like white spots
* Irritation can cause reddening around the spot but the point remains white

Treatment for Milia
Though milia disappear naturally in infants, it can be reduced or treated effectively as in adults by employing the following methods:

* A cosmetologist or physician can remove the milia in adults
* Use Glycolic Acid or Aloe Vera to massage your skin around the areas affected with milia especially the eyes
* Use specific anti-aging creams or gels with firming and light-diffusing ingredients to apply on the eyes instead of using body moisturizers
* Consult a doctor for applying tretinoin and/or benzoyl peroxide for treating milia
* For mouth milia in infants gently wipe the baby’s face with warm water and dab the face dry.
* Do not scrub or squeeze the milia in infants as that can cause further irritation or infection
* Avoid applying lotions, creams and moisturizers to the milia whether in infants or adults
* For curing the marks left behind by milia consult a doctor for topical medicines, creams or lotions to apply

How to Prevent Milia?
Some tips to prevent milia are listed here below:

* Use gentle scrubs to exfoliate the dead skin on your face
* Avoid too much of sun exposure
* Avoid oil-based cosmetics and moisturizers
* Wipe your infants face and mouth with warm water to prevent milia
* Use specific eye gels, glycolic acid or chamomile for nourishing the skin around your eyes
* Cucumber, green tea and aloe vera are other options that can prevent milia around the eyes
* Avoid too much of toothpaste foam around your mouth while brushing your teeth

Experts say that it is very difficult to prevent milia whether in infants or adults. However, you can follow a regular pattern to cleanse tone and nourish your skin with the use of appropriate products, cosmetics, diet and water to prevent milia to some extent.

For me, one of them with milia around the eyes, this was something to ponder about