Learn About Milia
Milia are tiny white bumps or small cysts on the skin. They are almost always seen in newborn babies.
Milia occur when dead skin becomes trapped in small pockets at the surface of the skin or mouth. They are common in newborn infants.
Similar cysts are seen in the mouths of newborn infants. They are called Epstein pearls. These cysts also go away on their own.
Adults may develop milia on the face. The bumps and cysts also occur on parts of the body that are swollen (inflamed) or injured. Rough sheets or clothing may irritate the skin and mild reddening around the bump. The middle of the bump will stay white.
Irritated milia are sometimes called "baby acne." This is incorrect since milia are not a true from of acne.
Symptoms may include:
- Whitish, pearly bump in the skin of newborns
- Bumps that appear across the cheeks, nose, and chin
- Whitish, pearly bump on gums or roof of mouth (they may look like teeth coming through the gums)
In children, no treatment is needed. Skin changes on the face or cysts in the mouth often go away after the first few weeks of life without treatment. There are no lasting effects.
Adults may have milia removed to improve their appearance.
Alpa Gupta practices in Faridabad, India. Ms. Gupta is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Milia. Her top areas of expertise are Milia, Periodontitis, Acute Pain, and Cleft Lip and Palate.
University Hospitals Medical Group Inc
Kord Honda is a Dermatologist in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Honda is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Milia. His top areas of expertise are Melanoma, Erythroderma, Nakajo-Nishimura Syndrome, and Stiff Skin Syndrome. Dr. Honda is currently accepting new patients.
City Of Hope Medical Foundation
Christiane Querfeld is a Dermatologist in Newport Beach, California. Dr. Querfeld is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Milia. Her top areas of expertise are Mycosis Fungoides, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), T-Cell Lymphoma, and Sezary Syndrome.
There is no known prevention.
Published Date: April 06, 2025
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dinulos JGH. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.
James WD. Epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 24.
Younger SB, Martin KL. Dermatologic diseases of the neonate. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 688.