What are those bumps around the eyes? They appear as small, white or yellow cysts usually in clusters on the face. They normally appear around the eyelids and cheeks. However, just bear in mind that they can occur anywhere and they can happen in all age group. By the way, they are called milia.
Etiology
Milia is formed when skin flakes or keratin, a protein, become trapped under the skin. Please resist the temptation to poke or squeeze them, as this may induce infection and cause scarring.
Treatment
This can be easily treated in the clinic by CO2 laser removal or de-roofing using a sterile small-bore needle to remove them.
Prevention
It is not always possible to prevent milia. However, some of these tips may be helpful:
- avoiding excessive exposure to the sun
- avoiding the use of thick creams or oil-based products
- exfoliating between 2 and 3 times a week to prevent accumulation of dead skin cells.
Written by Dr Tan WW
