What is a pearl bump?

Author: Prof. Katheryn Robel DVM  |  Last update: Thursday, May 8, 2025

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that causes one or many raised, pearl-like bumps (papules) on your skin. Papules may persist from a few months to a few years. The condition easily spreads (contagious). Treatment helps the infection go away but isn't always necessary, as it can also go away on its own.

What is a pearl-like bump on the skin?

Molluscum (muh LUSS kuhm) are smooth, pearly, skin-colored, benign bumps on the skin. They are very common in children. They begin as small bumps and they may grow as large as a pencil eraser. Molluscum are caused by a virus.

Is molluscum contagiosum a STD?

It spreads from close contact with other children who are infected. Molluscum contagiosum is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in adults and can spread by skin-to-skin contact during sex. The infection usually resolves itself, but treatment can shorten the length of symptoms.

What does a pearl pimple look like?

Milia are small cysts that look like tiny white bumps on the skin. Even though they look like whiteheads, they are not acne. Unlike acne, they don't develop in a pore and are not red or inflamed.

What is a hard pearl like pimple?

Milia happen when the dead skin cells don't fall away. Instead, they get caught under the new skin, harden, and form a milium. Milia can also happen because of: Skin damage from something like a rash, an injury, or sun exposure.

I awakened the pearl clam that had been sleeping for a hundred years, and it brought me great wealth

Why does my pimple look like a pearl?

Milia are tiny, dome-shaped bumps on the skin that contain dead skin cells trapped in small pockets near the skin's surface. They are actually nicknamed “baby acne” or “Epstein pearls,” in some cases.

Can you pop a milia?

Milia can't be popped, and attempting to remove them yourself can cause complications like a skin infection.

What are pearl cysts?

A rare complication of cataract surgery, the “pearl-cyst” may grow from on and within the iris. The tumors are thought to be caused by displaced conjunctival or epidermal epithelium. Rupture of these mucous-containing cysts (within the eye) can cause severe glaucoma.

How do you get rid of pearl acne?

Treatment to remove milia could include:
  1. Application of over-the-counter adapalene gel or prescription tretinoin cream.
  2. Surgically removing the milia in your healthcare provider's office by using a needle to puncture the milia and squeezing out the contents.
  3. Cryotherapy to freeze the milia on your skin to remove them.

How do you remove keratin pearls?

The treatment for the Keratin Pearl excision may be done in-office or in the operating room (depending on the severity of clitoral adhesions between the clitoris and prepuce). The procedure consists of breaking up the adhesions with a fine metal probe and then removing the Keratin Pearls.

What happens if you squeeze molluscum contagiosum?

If you try to remove the bumps on your own or squeeze out the fluid inside, you risk spreading the virus to other parts of your body. Keep the bumps clean and wash your hands after touching the molluscum. Washing your hands helps to remove the virus from your skin so that you don't spread the virus to other areas.

What does chlamydia look like?

Understanding chlamydia discharge

The type of discharge you might get from chlamydia can vary. If it is vaginal discharge, it may be white, yellow, or gray, and it may smell bad. If it is penile discharge, it may look clear or cloudy, or like pus. If the discharge is coming from your anus, it may be like mucus.

What STD causes white pimples?

Below are a few STIs that can cause pimple-like blemishes on the skin.
  • Herpes. Herpes Simplex Virus has two types: HSV 1 and HSV 2. ...
  • HPV. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI and can cause Genital Warts, which appear as painless growths around the vagina, anus, or penis. ...
  • Syphilis.

What triggers molluscum?

The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum spreads easily through: Skin-to-skin contact. Contact with infected objects, such as towels, kickboards and wrestling mats. Swimming in pools or hot tubs contaminated with the virus.

What is a cyst Pearl?

In appearance, Epstein pearls resemble unerupted baby teeth. But these bumps are actually benign (noncancerous) cysts made of excess keratin (a protein that helps form hair, skin and nails). They get their name from Dr. Alois Epstein, the Czech pediatrician who first described this condition.

What is a pearl wart?

Molluscum, is painless but can be itchy, especially if you also have eczema. Molluscum contagiosum spots first look like white pimples, then turn pink and round or pearl-coloured lumps with a hard middle and often a dip in the centre.

What is a pimple pearl?

Those disagreeable-looking white, round things are milia. Also called milium cysts, milk spots, oilseeds, or pearl acne, no matter what you call them, milia are decidedly unattractive, small or moderate-sized, round or dome-shaped, white or yellow bumps that are easily visible beneath the skin.

What are the pearls coming out of my skin?

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a virus. The infection creates small, raised bumps on your skin that have the appearance of a pearl. These bumps are usually white but can match your natural skin tone or appear pink to purple.

How do you get rid of pearly pimples?

Treatment for pearly penile papules

The growths are not harmful and don't need treatment. There are no medicines known to treat them. If you want to remove them, this can be done with surgery, electrical destruction, or laser treatment in a healthcare provider's office.

What is a pearl tumor?

Growth of tumor is slow so that it gradually enlarged then compresses the brain. It is called as “Pearl tumor” since it looks gleaming white like pearl in surgical field. White cornified material can be removed by aspiration, but unless skim membrane is completely removed, it may recur.

What do Epstein pearls look like?

Epstein pearls look like tiny, firm, white-yellow bumps. They're usually found on the center of the roof of your baby's mouth. "When they appear on the gums, they are technically called Bohn's nodules," says Liz Donner, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist and member of the BabyCenter Advisory Board.

Can I poke my milia with a needle?

To actually remove milia, you need to have them extracted from your skin. “This means when a dermatologist physically creates an opening with a needle or a scalpel blade,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Never do this yourself.

What is a pimple with a hard white ball inside?

Pustules are a type of pimple that contains yellowish pus. They are larger than whiteheads and blackheads. Home remedies and over-the-counter creams may help treat pustules. Pustules appear either as red bumps with white centers or as white bumps that are hard and often tender to the touch.

Does vaseline cause milia?

Another increasingly common cause is people slathering their skin with petroleum jelly, a skincare trend popularised by social media known as 'slugging'. The idea is to lock in moisture and prevent dehydration. While this does make sense for some skin types and your skin may feel smoother, slugging can cause milia.

Previous article
Can I color damaged bleached hair?
Next article
Should you exfoliate in the morning or night?