What should you know about milia newborn nose?

The nose is a common place to notice milia because the bumps sit just beneath its thin surface. They look like smooth, pale pinpoints and usually are not tender or inflamed. Keratin becomes enclosed as the outer skin sheds; this is not dirt and does not mean the baby has an allergy. Milia can resemble [Whiteheads](/symptoms/whiteheads/), so a clinician can help when the appearance is unusual.

Clean the face with water and, when needed, a gentle fragrance-free cleanser. Use soft fingers rather than a cloth that rubs, and pat the nose dry. Leave the bumps alone: do not pierce them, press them, exfoliate them, or use acne medicine. Adult treatments such as [Topical Retinoids](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-retinoids/) are not appropriate for a newborn unless prescribed for a specific reason. See [Milia](/conditions/milia/) for broader information.

Contact a clinician if the nose becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen, crusted, or painful, or if fluid or pus appears. Get prompt help if the baby has fever, breathing difficulty, poor feeding, marked drowsiness, or a rapidly spreading rash. Those signs are not typical of simple milia and should be assessed in the baby's overall context.

Ask whether the bumps match milia, how to clean the baby's face, and whether any cream currently used should be paused. If the spots remain, multiply, or change, ask when the baby should be re-examined.