How to get rid of milia

Milia are tiny, firm, pearly bumps formed when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. They often appear around the eyelids, cheeks, or nose and are not the same as acne whiteheads. Some develop after irritation, injury, or a rash, while others arise without an obvious trigger.

Because several conditions can look like small white bumps, a clinician may check the texture, location, duration, and surrounding skin. This is especially helpful when a bump is inflamed, growing, bleeding, or unlike previous milia.

Wash gently, moisturise, use sunscreen, and avoid picking, needles, abrasive scrubs, or heavy products that irritate the area. Squeezing can cause inflammation, infection, or a lingering mark without releasing the cyst.

A clinician can remove accessible milia with a sterile technique such as opening and lifting out the contents. Curettage and cautery may be considered for selected lesions. Topical retinoids are sometimes discussed for recurrent or multiple milia, but they can irritate sensitive eyelid skin and should be used only with appropriate instructions.

Book an assessment if bumps persist despite gentle care, recur frequently, cluster around the eyes, or cause uncertainty about the diagnosis. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, pus, marked pain, bleeding, or a rapidly changing lesion. Eye pain or vision changes require urgent medical attention.

Ask whether the bumps are milia or another condition, whether removal is suitable for their location, how to protect nearby eyelid skin, and which symptoms would require a review.