Milia in Child
See also in: External and Internal EyeAlerts and Notices
Synopsis

Milia (singular, milium) are minute epidermoid cysts (also known as infundibular cysts) that present as small white or yellow papules, usually on the face of infants and adults although they can also occur in children. They are typically smaller than 3 mm in diameter. Primary milia affect 40%-50% of newborns but may be found in patients of all ages. Secondary milia often occur after injury to the skin, such as from burns or subepidermal blistering disorders (epidermolysis bullosa). Milia have also been known to occur in areas of topical steroid-induced atrophy. Persistent or widespread milia are associated with a number of syndromes. There is no predilection for either sex or for any race or ethnicity.
Codes
ICD10CM:
L72.8 – Other follicular cysts of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SNOMEDCT:
254679001 – Milia
L72.8 – Other follicular cysts of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SNOMEDCT:
254679001 – Milia
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Milia are sometimes confused with closed comedones of acne.
- Pustular acne (see acne)
- Closed comedones (see acne)
- Acne cosmetica
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Sebaceous hyperplasia
- Trichoepitheliomas
- Keratosis pilaris
- Milia-like calcinosis cutis
- Osteoma cutis
- Syringomas
- Eruptive vellus hair cysts
- Nevus comedonicus
- Hereditary trichodysplasia
- Atrichia with papular lesions is a genetic condition of alopecia with milia; patients may be born with hair, but it falls out and is not replaced.
- Rombo syndrome
- Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome
- Pachyonychia congenita
- Oral-facial-digital syndrome (type 1) has multiple milia in the first few years of life in addition to congenital mouth and digital malformations.
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Updated:01/24/2021

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