Skin diseases: Milios and Milaria

| Benign skin disorders of the newborn such as milio and milaria do not require treatment, do not affect the general state or health of the newborn, so they are not treated and resolve on their own in a few days or weeks.

These are skin diseases popularly known as "fattening", because they were related to the milk that newborns drank, although this idea has now been scrapped.

Affects the 40% of full-term newborns: half of all newborns have the same milium cysts or milia. They are small pearly white or yellowish papules 1 to 2 mm in diameter appearing on the face and scalp, especially on the cheeks, forehead and chin. On rare occasions they can appear on the foreskin or mammary areola. In some babies these white cysts also appear on the palate or gums and are known by the name of Bohn's nodules Y Epstein pearls.

They are produced by a blockage of the sebaceous follicle with retention of keratin and fat. Papules are epithelial cysts filled with concentric layers of keratin, obtaining when squeezed a material similar to tiny white pearls and formed by remains of keratinocytes. The lesions disappear without treatment in the first four weeks of life, although it may be normal for the baby to have Milios for several months. Epstein pearls can take several months to fade.

Miliaria

The milestone is a secondary pustular dermatitis to the retention of eccrine glandular secretion. The two most common types in children are:

• Miliaria crystallina (Sudamina): it is very frequent and is characterized by 1-2 mm clear vesicles, superficial and non-inflammatory that break easily. In these cases a liquid talc (never powder) to dry the folds and prevent further injuries.
• Miliaria rubra ("heat rash"): they are small grouped erythematous papules that are usually located in the Skin folds and in areas covered by clothing. It is due to overcoat. The gland obstruction is deeper and is accompanied by inflammation.

The treatment is simple. Must be remove excess clothing and do not overcoat. The use of emollient moisturizers is not recommended either, as they can worsen the condition.

Pediatric specialist