Advertisement
Milia go away on their own in a few weeks
If you have tiny white bumps on your nose, chin or cheeks, resist the urge to try removing them.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
You likely have milia, a skin condition that’s common among newborns — so common, in fact, that up to half of all babies develop milia.
Milium (that’s the single form of the word!) happen when dead skin cells get trapped beneath the skin’s surface and form small, hard cysts. Milia are common in babies because their skin is still learning to exfoliate, or slough off dead skin cells, on its own.
Although milia are most commonly seen on the nose, chin or cheeks, they can occur on other areas such as the upper trunk and limbs.
In adults, milia fall into two types: primary and secondary. Primary milia are similar to the kind that babies get. Secondary milia happen when a skin condition that leads to blistering damages the pore lining. Burns or severe rashes, for example, can increase the number of skin cells trapped under the skin’s surface.
Usually, the best treatment for milia is to do nothing, says dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD. Milia usually disappears in a few weeks.
“If you’re an adult with milia, you might try an over-the-counter exfoliating treatment that contains salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or a retinoid such as adapalene,” Dr. Piliang says. “These can improve the skin’s natural turnover by removing the dead cells, and may help the bumps go away faster.”
For adults, sun damage can be a contributing factor to milia because it makes skin leathery. This makes it more difficult for dead cells to rise to the skin’s surface and shed normally.
Maintaining a good skin-care routine can help minimize the chance of milia appearing in adults, Dr. Piliang says.
“Because secondary milia can be caused by sun damage, wear a moisturizer or makeup with at least SPF 15 every day to protect your skin,” she says. “I recommend an SPF of 30 in the warmer months.”
If your baby is the one with milia, Dr. Piliang offers these tips:
It’s important that you refrain from trying to remove the bumps by squeezing or scraping them as you would a pimple.
“Milia are hard and beneath the skin’s surface, so you’ll likely only irritate and damage the skin around the cyst,” she says. “You could wind up scarring the skin permanently.”
If your milia don’t respond to an exfoliating treatment after several weeks, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist. The doctor may use a hypodermic needle to remove the cyst, or freeze the cyst and then remove it. Your doctor can also make sure that the milia aren’t something more serious.
If your baby’s complexion doesn’t clear up within three months, consult your baby’s doctor at your next well-baby visit.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
The results aren’t great, and the risks — like vision problems — aren’t worth it
During an annual exam, your provider will check for any moles or spots that have changed in size, color or shape
Dry air, harsh soaps and even some medications can bring on an itch, but in some cases, itchiness can be a sign of an underlying condition
Moisturize often, take oatmeal baths, use Epsom salts and follow a healthy diet to help reduce your symptoms
Adding a little milk to your bath can leave your skin smooth, silky and refreshed
Wear properly fitted shoes, break them in ahead of time and wear moisture-wicking socks
Topical treatments — and even some cosmetic procedures — may help reduce the appearance of this crinkled-paper look
Ferulic acid can help make other antioxidant products more powerful
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims