Does milia itch?

What do ordinary milia look like?

Milia are tiny, pearly white cysts just beneath the skin, containing keratin, a skin protein. They commonly appear around the eyelids and cheeks, although they can occur elsewhere. Ordinary milia are harmless and usually have no symptoms. They are not whiteheads or a type of acne, even when the bumps look similar.12

Why would bumps that look like milia itch?

Multiple eruptive milia appear in crops over several weeks to months, usually on the face, upper arms or upper trunk. These bumps can be itchy or have no symptoms. Another uncommon form, milia en plaque, consists of several milia within a raised, inflamed patch, often on an eyelid, behind an ear, or on a cheek or jaw.2

Friction from rough sheets or clothing can irritate skin around milia and cause mild redness while the centre stays white. Milia can also develop where skin is injured or inflamed. Redness around a white bump therefore does not automatically make it acne, and treating the appearance alone can miss what is irritating the skin.3

What should you do about itchy bumps?

• Wash your face daily with warm water and gentle soap, then pat dry gently.
• Avoid rubbing the area with rough fabric and minimise further skin injury.
• Do not squeeze, scrape or pick the bumps. Home removal can cause scarring or infection.
• Arrange an examination if you are unsure what the bumps are, particularly if they itch or sit within an inflamed patch.

A clinician can usually identify milia by examining the skin. Other cysts and bumps can resemble them, so an itchy white bump is not a diagnosis. Testing is usually unnecessary, although a small skin sample is sometimes taken when the appearance needs closer examination.23

Do milia need treatment?

Milia often clear without treatment over a few weeks to months, although some persist longer. Treatment is optional when the concern is appearance, which is not the sort of sentence that sells an extra skincare step. If the bumps worsen or have not improved after a few months, see a healthcare professional.12

Adults can have milia removed to improve their appearance, so buying another cream is not a compulsory entry fee. A clinician can open the cyst with a sterile needle or blade and remove its contents. For widespread milia, topical retinoids, medicines applied to the skin, can help.23

What if a baby's bumps seem itchy?

Newborn milia usually disappear within the first few weeks without treatment or lasting effects. Do not apply adult lotions or oils to a baby's milia. If your child has a rash you are worried about and you are unsure what to do, seek medical advice rather than assuming the bumps are ordinary milia.134