Do You Have Tiny Bumps on Your Skin? They're Called Milia and You Should Leave Them Alone

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed small white bumps on your skin?

Have you been tempted to squeeze them?

Except.. when you do… they don’t feel anything like normal pimples.

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That’s because they aren’t pimples.

These little irritations are called milium cysts, which, when they’re in a group, are called milia.

Healthline says, “Milia occur when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. Keratin is a strong protein that’s typically found in skin tissues, hair, and nail cells.”

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But milia are nothing to worry about in most cases – they are more nuisance than something serious.

However, if they do appear, don’t pick them! That could cause scarring, especially if you have quite a few.

I know, it is tempting, but you do not want to risk it.

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How do you get rid of them?

In most cases, milia will go away on its own. And they really are unnoticeable to others unless they are super close to your face, which really isn’t a big deal.

But some people may experience milia that can cause slight pain or irritation, in which they should talk to a dermatologist if it worsens.

Doctors will use treatments to eliminate them, such as:

Deroofing. A sterile needle picks out the contents of the cyst.
Topical retinoids. These vitamin A-containing creams help exfoliate your skin.
Chemical peels. Chemical peels cause the first layer of skin to peel off, unearthing new skin.
Laser ablation: A small laser focuses on the affected areas to remove the cysts.

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Prevention

The great news is you can prevent these annoying bumps!

Healthline shares a few home remedies:

Clean and exfoliate the skin. Milia occur under the eyes due to an excess of keratin. Gently exfoliating the area with a warm washcloth may get rid of dead skin cells and help bring trapped keratin to the surface.
Steam. Spending some time in your bathroom with the door closed and a hot shower running creates an easy at-home steam treatment for your face.
Rose water or manuka honey. Spritz a bit of rose water or use a manuka honey mask on your face. Research has found anti-inflammatory properties in roses and honey.
Avoid picking or poking. It may seem counterintuitive, but leaving milia bumps alone helps them heal faster. If you pick milia bumps to the point where they become irritated, infection and scarring become more likely.

So there you go.

But, just to be clear, always go to a doctor if you’re worried about your health. They can help you out better than the internet.