What should you know about milia treatment?

Milia are small cysts containing keratin, often seen as smooth white or skin-coloured bumps. They are different from acne whiteheads, although the two can look alike. A clinician considers the location, size, number of spots, skin sensitivity and whether the diagnosis is clear. Some milia can be watched if they do not bother you. Others may be treated with a prescribed topical retinoid or removed in a clinic. Treatment is not chosen only by how visible the bump is; delicate areas such as the eyelids need especially careful handling.

Use a mild cleanser, avoid picking, and tell the clinician about sensitive skin, previous dark marks, scarring, allergies and products used near the area. Do not attempt extraction with pins, needles or blades. A sterile removal method such as curettage and cautery may be discussed, while a topical retinoid may suit selected cases. Follow aftercare instructions and pause irritating products if the treated skin becomes tender. Read more about [Milia](/conditions/milia/), [Topical Retinoids](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-retinoids/), and [Curettage And Cautery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/curettage-and-cautery/).

Contact the treating clinic if redness spreads, pain increases, swelling worsens, or discharge develops after treatment. Seek prompt assessment for fever, eye involvement, or vision changes. Before treatment, arrange review for a bump that bleeds, crusts, changes quickly, or has an uncertain diagnosis.

Ask which options fit your skin and location, whether treatment is necessary, what temporary reactions to expect, and how to reduce irritation during healing.