Small white bumps on face not pimples

If those tactics don’t help, talk to your dermatologist who may prescribe a stronger anti-itch medication or a corticosteroid shot to calm the inflammation.

9. Bumps due to eczema

This common skin condition, also called atopic dermatitis, usually shows up before age five, but can technically occur at any age. “Eczema often appears as oozing or crusted bumps, patches or plaques and, if chronic, even as thick scales, and arises from an interaction between both genes and the environment,” Jeremy A. Brauer, M.D., a New York-based dermatologist, tells SELF.

There are several types of eczema, but generally the condition occurs when the top layer of your skin can’t retain moisture and protect you from irritants, allergens, and environmental elements. And as we just explained, the condition goes beyond dry skin and can cause some serious discomfort in people who are affected.

How to treat and prevent eczema

There’s no way to prevent the condition, but you can manage flare-ups. You may want to speak to a doctor to confirm that you have eczema so you can work together on finding the right treatment. Several factors, including the age of the patient and their symptoms, may affect treatment which generally includes oral, topical, or injected medications. “In many cases, a change in environmental factors—avoidance of known triggers, a change in bathing habits —can relieve symptoms,” says Dr. Brauer.

He recommends patients opt for shorter, lukewarm showers using gentle fragrance-free products followed by moisturizing. He also suggests washing clothes with detergent for sensitive skin—like Seventh Generation Free & Clear ($26, Amazon)—as well as washing your hands less frequently or making sure to use moisturizer afterwards. The Cleveland Clinic also recommends using a humidifier at night, applying a moisturizing cream (it’s more effective than lotion) several times a day, and using a cortisone cream to help relieve your symptoms.

10. Bumps due to rosacea

Another chronic inflammatory condition, rosacea typically appears on the face, Dr. Garden says. “It tends to cause a background redness of the cheeks, nose, chin, and lower forehead, as well as acne-like bumps in some patients.”

How to treat and prevent rosacea

Unfortunately, no one knows what causes rosacea, and there’s no total cure for it yet. However, there are ways to decrease the inflammation that causes the redness and bumps. “People with rosacea tend to have more sensitive skin in those parts of the face affected, so swapping out harsh soaps for gentle cleansers and light moisturizers is helpful,” says Dr. Garden. “Sun protection is also paramount in rosacea as the UV radiation from the sun makes the inflammation worse.”

But everyone has their own set of triggers, which may include things like alcohol, exercise, and specific skin-care or makeup ingredients. So it’s important to manage your exposure to those triggers as much as possible.

There are some other treatment options, such as topical azelaic acid, topical prescriptions, and oral antibiotics, which your dermatologist may steer you towards. Because there are many skin conditions that can mimic rosacea, such as acne, eczema, and lupus, it’s important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist who can identify your bumps before self-treating at home.

11. Bumps due to ingrown hairs

Most of us have experienced ingrown hair on our bodies or faces at some point as a result of hair removal. Normally, when hair regrows, it grows up and above the skin. But if it starts to curl instead, it may get trapped and form a small, raised, reddened bump that may or may not be filled with pus. Those with thick, curly hair tend to develop ingrown hairs more often than people with fine, thin hair, but no one is completely immune.

How to treat and prevent bumps related to ingrown hair

The best way to prevent ingrown hair is by not waxing, shaving, or plucking, but that’s not always a practical option for some people who are committed to hair removal, explains Dr. Garden. Other ways to limit ingrown hairs are to always wash the skin with a mild soap and rub a lubricating shaving cream gel on the skin before shaving.

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Milia are small, yellow or white cysts that appear in clusters, usually on the face. They are often found in newborns but can affect people of any age.

This article looks at different types of milia, their causes, and possible ways to get rid of them.

In most cases, milia will disappear on their own within a few months.

A number of home remedies may help get rid of milia. While no specific remedy has been proven to remove milia quickly, these treatments are mostly low-risk.

For example:

  • Clean the affected area daily. Use a mild soap to prevent skin irritation. Soaps for sensitive skin are available for purchase online.
  • Steam open the pores. This can be done by sitting in the bathroom and running a hot shower.
  • Exfoliate the area regularly. However, avoid over-exfoliating, as daily exfoliation can irritate the skin. Various exfoliating products are available online.
  • Use sunscreen. High-protection sunscreens may be especially helpful. Factor 50 sunscreen is available for purchase in pharmacies and online.
  • Using topical retinoids. Topical retinoids are creams or gels derived from vitamin A. While they are designed to treat acne and other skin issues, there is little evidence that they are effective in treating milia.

Some research suggests that extracts of rose, cinnamon, and honey have antibacterial properties that can tackle some skin problems. However, there has been no research on their effectiveness with milia.

Avoid poking or picking milia. While it may be tempting, this interference increases the risk of infection and can lead to scarring.

Share on PinterestMedical treatments are usually not necessary, and carry certain risks.

If milia are causing concern, certain clinical treatments have been used to try and remove them. These include:

  • De-roofing. A doctor uses a sterile needle or blade to remove the milia. Do not attempt this at home, as you can run the risk of infection.
  • Curettage. A doctor numbs the area, removes the milia, then seals the skin with a hot wire.
  • Cryotherapy. The milia are frozen off, often with liquid nitrogen. This can cause blistering or swelling, which should disappear within a few days.
  • Minocycline. This oral antibiotic can be helpful in treating certain types of milia, such as milia en plaque.

All of these treatments carry a risk of scarring, except for minocycline, which has other risks. Since milia themselves do not cause scarring, think carefully before undergoing these treatments.

Milia are small, bump-like cysts found under the skin. They are usually 1 to 2 millimeters (mm) in size.

They form when skin flakes or keratin, a protein, become trapped under the skin.

Milia most often appear on the face, commonly around the eyelids and cheeks, though they can occur anywhere.

It is not always possible to prevent milia, for example, when they occur in newborns.

However, when milia are associated with other skin conditions or injuries, swift treatment may keep them from appearing.

Tips for preventing milia include:

  • avoiding excessive exposure to the sun
  • avoiding the use of thick creams or oil-based products
  • exfoliating between 2 and 3 times a week

Milia can sometimes arise following a chemical peel. It may be possible to prevent their occurrence by applying a topical retinoid before the procedure. However, retinoids can cause dark spots or excessive irritation when used in combination with chemical peels.

Neonatal milia

Milia affect up to 50 percent of all newborns. They usually disappear on their own within a few weeks.

Neonatal milia are often found on the nose, but may appear on the scalp, face, upper trunk, and inside the mouth.

These bumps can be confused with neonatal acne. The white bumps of neonatal acne vary in size, and are often surrounded by redness, while milia are generally uniform in size, with no redness.

Milia may be present from birth, while neonatal acne usually does not appear until 2 weeks after birth.

Primary milia

Share on PinterestPrimary milia often occur around the eyelids, cheeks, and forehead.

Primary milia occur in children and adults. While they may disappear without treatment in a few weeks, they can also last for several months.

Primary milia often appear on the following body parts:

  • eyelids
  • cheeks
  • forehead
  • genitals

They may also appear along the nasal crease in young children.

Milia en plaque

In this condition, multiple milia are clumped together in a broad, flat patch raised above the surrounding skin. This patch or plaque often has a clear and defined border.

Milia en plaque can affect children and adults, particularly middle-aged women. It is usually found on the eyelids, behind the ears, and on the cheek or jaw.

This condition is rare and occasionally associated with other skin issues, including:

  • pseudoxanthoma elasticum
  • discoid lupus erythematosus
  • lichen planus

Multiple eruptive milia

This rare type of milia involves numerous bumps appearing in the same area over several weeks or months. This is often the only symptom, though the area may also feel itchy.

Multiple eruptive milia tend to appear on the face, upper arms, and upper trunk.

Traumatic milia

Also known as secondary milia, this condition follows injury to the skin, which may involve:

  • a burn
  • blistering from a skin condition or allergic reaction
  • skin resurfacing procedures, such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing
  • excessive exposure to sunlight

Milia associated with medication

Certain topical medications, including some steroid creams, may cause milia to appear.

Milia carry very few risks.

When milia are associated with another condition or injury, that condition should be treated separately.

It is important that milia are correctly diagnosed. They can be confused with other types of skin conditions, including comedones, miliaria, and other types of cysts.

When milia are a concern, discuss treatment with a doctor.

Milia tend not to cause long-term problems. The outlook is very good, and most cases will resolve without treatment in several weeks.

The bumps may disappear faster in newborns than in children and adults.

If milia do not disappear within a few weeks, a doctor may be able to recommend treatment options.

How do I get rid of milia?

The most common procedure for milia removal is de-roofing. Dermatologists use a sterile needle to remove the tiny flap of skin trapping the keratin flake inside the pore. They then squeeze or prick out the flake. A less-common practice is curettage, which is a form of electrosurgery.

Why do I have little white bumps on my face?

White bumps called milia are the most common cause, but hard bumps can also be from closed pores, cysts, keratoses, skin cancer, and more. These white bumps can appear on your face under your eyes, on your cheek, forehead, chin, or nose. White bumps on the face become more common with age and during pregnancy.

How can I get rid of milia on my face?

Get rid of milia: Treatments options.
De-roofing. The simplest way to remove milia is through de-roofing. ... .
Laser ablation. This is a milia removal option a dermatologist might choose if you have multiple milia. ... .
Chemical peel. ... .
Cryotherapy. ... .
Tretinoin or oral antibiotics..

What can be mistaken for milia?

Syringomas and milia have similar symptoms where a group of bumps will form on your skin. Milia are tiny white bumps filled with the skin protein keratin that form most often on a newborn's skin. Syringomas are small sweat gland growths that look like a yellow or a natural skin tone pimple.