What are the treatment options for milia?

Milia often occur around the eyes and cheeks, where the skin is thin and easy to injure. They can follow skin irritation, injury or heavy occlusive products, although they may also arise without an obvious trigger. A clinician first checks that the bumps are milia rather than acne, xanthelasma, a wart or another lesion. Squeezing or piercing them at home can cause infection, scarring or prolonged redness, especially close to the eyelid.

Keep the area clean and use non-irritating skincare. Avoid picking, needles and abrasive scrubs. If a retinoid is prescribed, use the amount and schedule advised, protect the skin from sunlight and report marked burning, swelling or cracking. Professional extraction is usually a focused appointment, while curettage and cautery may be chosen when a lesion needs a different removal approach. Ask whether eye-area treatment requires extra precautions, and do not apply prescription products close to the eye unless specifically instructed.

Seek assessment if a bump becomes painful, rapidly enlarges, bleeds, crusts, discharges or repeatedly returns in the same spot. Arrange a review for bumps on the eyelid margin, changes that affect vision or a rash that spreads beyond the original area. Prompt advice is sensible after attempted extraction if there is worsening redness, warmth, swelling or pus.

Ask whether the bumps are definitely milia, whether observation is appropriate, and which removal method best suits their location. If a retinoid is proposed, ask how to introduce it, where not to apply it and what to do if the skin becomes irritated.