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.
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.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Give the delicate skin on your neck some TLC by wearing sunscreen every day and trying a retinoid or topical antioxidant
Before your next manicure, weigh the reward against the risk of infection, irritated skin and damaged nails
Go ahead and get goopy to help boost hydration and repair damaged skin
A well-balanced diet with anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce flare-ups and severity of psoriasis symptoms
Stress, infections, skin injuries and environmental factors can trigger an onset of psoriasis symptoms
Stick to your treatment plan, but keep your provider updated on any new symptoms or triggers
This puffy shower accessory can become lodged with skin cells (and other gross things), so make sure you dry it daily and clean it once a week
You can turn down the redness and soothe the irritation with natural remedies like green tea, raw honey and aloe vera
Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity
A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses