Milia Workup

Updated: Feb 25, 2022
  • Author: Charles M G Archer, MBBS, MRCP(UK); Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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Workup

Histologic Findings

The histological features are identical to those of epidermoid cysts, but the cysts are much smaller. The milium is usually located in the superficial dermis and has a complete epithelial lining (with a granular cell layer). It contains a variable amount of lamellated keratin. The common primary milia in infants and children are found in the undifferentiated sebaceous hair collar surrounding vellus hair follicles. Milia secondary to blistering are often found in eccrine sweat ducts. Primary and secondary milia have identical histologic presentations. [32]