Search over 1.4 million articles by over 600 experts
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Acne

More from About.com

Browse Topics A-Z

"Milia"

By Angela Palmer, About.com

Updated: December 13, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Milia - Whiteheads or Closed Comedones

Milia or Whiteheads

Photo © Angela Palmer

Definition: A hard closed comedone with a very obvious white head. Not to be confused with a papule, milia are not red or inflamed. Milia form when a plug of sebaceous matter and cellular debris harden within the follicle, blocking the pore. Milia are covered with a layer of dead skin cells. They are very common in the eye area.

Also Known As: Closed comedo, whitehead.

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Acne
  4. Glossary
  5. M - O
  6. Milia - What is milia? The definition of a white head.

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.