What are the white seeds in my pimple?

Author: Prof. Nakia Osinski  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Milium. A single milk spot is called a milium, while multiple are known as milia. You might also see them referred to as "oil seeds."

Why do some pimples have a seed?

Milia seeds, unlike whiteheads, do not contain pus. Milia seeds are keratin-containing cysts, similar to your nails and hairs. Furthermore, we can classify milia seeds as primary and secondary types. Typically, primary milia develop naturally from trapped keratin beneath the skin, occurring in newborns and adults.

What are the white balls in pimples?

“Milia” is the plural word for the small cysts called milk spots. One cyst is called a “milium.” A milium is also known as a single milk spot or an oil seed.

What are the white strings coming out of my pimple?

The 'white stuff' that comes out of a blackhead or more commonly in pimples is pus. Pus is formed from inflamed debris, dead white blood cells and is also produced as the body's response to bacteria invading the system.

Can you squeeze milia out?

Never try to extract milia on your own. Milia can't be popped, and attempting to remove them yourself can cause complications like a skin infection.

What's Inside A Pimple?

Can I pop milia with a needle?

People may also refer to manual extraction as de-roofing. It involves a professional using a sterile needle or blade to cut a tiny opening in the top of the milia. They will then push out the keratin plug. Individuals should not attempt this at home, as doing so may lead them to develop an infection.

Is it OK to pick milia?

Removing milia yourself is not recommended. To avoid infection, the treatment should be carried out in a safe clinical environment with sterile equipment. Trying to squeeze or pick at milia can cause the area to become inflamed, bruised or infected because they do not 'pop' in the same way as a pimple or whitehead.

What are pimple pearls?

Dr. Lee uses the video to educate about the difference between a whitehead and a milia, which can sometimes appear quite similar. Milia are bumps containing keratin that has been trapped underneath the skin, and are sometimes called “baby acne” or “Epstein pearls."

Why did a white ball come out of my pimple?

Pustules contain pus because the body is trying to fight against the dirt or bacteria that has entered the pore. Pus is a natural product of the immune system, which consists mostly of dead white blood cells.

What is the crystal in a pimple?

The vast majority of acne comedones contained considerable amounts of polarizable crystalline material. Crystallization was more prominent in closed comedones, long-standing macrocomedones and cong- lobate comedones.

What is that hard white core in a pimple?

This is the comedonal core. It is a plug of debris within the pore. Acne pustules range in size from small to fairly large. They develop in the same areas that papules do.

How to remove milia seed?

Topical treatments: Over-the-counter creams containing ingredients like retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can help exfoliate the skin and reduce milia. Manual extraction: A dermatologist can safely remove milia using a sterile needle or scalpel.

What are the hard balls that come out of pimples?

A severe type of acne called nodular acne can cause multiple blind pimples along with raised red bumps. These painful blind pimples, or nodules, contain pus and bacteria and feel hard under the skin.

How to get pimple seed out?

A gentler approach is to use a warm wash cloth or compress. This softens the pimple and helps it form a complete head, which makes it easier to remove. Apply gentle pressure to remove the pus, then apply ice to reduce inflammation.

What are pimple pits?

Pitted acne scars are hollow indents in the skin left behind by inflammatory acne.

What are the little seeds in my pimple?

Milia, also known as “milk cysts,” are caused by a protein called keratin that gets trapped under the skin.

What are the strings coming out of my pimple?

If you squeeze sebaceous filaments, a waxy, threadlike structure may pop out of your pore. However, you may not squeeze anything out, or you may squeeze out a tiny amount of oil. You should avoid squeezing your sebaceous filaments.

What is a pebble like pimple?

Types of hard pimples

Papules: These are inflamed lesions that can appear as pink, small bumps. Papules can be sensitive to the touch. Pustules: Larger than blackheads and whiteheads, pustules are similar to papules but are redder and contain pus. Nodules: These are a type of hard pimple that can be large and painful.

Why did a pearl come out of my pimple?

These dead cells have nowhere to go and so they collect, forming a hardened ball that looks like a tiny pearl, unattractively obvious under the new skin that has formed over it, hence the name "pearl acne".

What are keratin pearls?

A keratin pearl is a keratinized structure found in regions where abnormal squamous cells form concentric layers. Also called an epithelial pearl, due to a location among squamous cells of the epithelium, this type of structure is sometimes seen with squamous cell carcinoma.

Can I put a needle in milia?

We use a method in which milia can be easily enucleated with the use of a single instrument, a sterile disposable hypodermic needle.

What happens if I pop my milia?

You may be tempted to pick at or pop the milia. This irritation may only make it worse and cause complications. Picking at the skin around the milia can lead to scarring or an infection. If you're worried about how milia look, you can take a few steps to help the treatment process.

Why do I get pimples around my nose crease?

Spots around the nose are often linked to high sugar or dairy intake, overuse of cosmetics, and respiratory allergies or infections. The creases around the nose trap dirt and bacteria, leading to clogged pores. This area is prone to acne because it contains a high concentration of oil glands.

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