Irritation of the skin by rough sheets or clothing may cause mild reddening around the papule , but the central portion remains white. As the surface of the white pearly papule wears away the trapped dead skin is lost and the papule disappears.
Milia generally disappears after the first several weeks of life.
This same type of cystic structure is seen on the gums and soft palate of newborn infants. In the mucous membranes, they are called Epstein's pearls. These lesions also disappear spontaneously. There is no known prevention. No testing is necessary.