What looks like a whitehead but won't pop?

Author: Loren Pfeffer  |  Last update: Friday, June 13, 2025

Milia: Tiny but Tricky The little whitish-yellowish bump will appear smaller and feel harder than a typical whitehead. Treatment Options: Although it is tempting to squeeze, forget it. Milia won't pop like a pimple because they're encased in a layer of skin.

What is a spot with a white head that won't pop?

Hard bumps on your face that won't pop can be caused by many things. White bumps called milia are the most common cause, but bumps on the face can also be from closed pores, cysts, keratoses, skin cancer, and more. White bumps on your face can appear under your eyes, on your cheek, forehead, chin, or nose.

What is mistaken for whiteheads?

The tiny, milky white or yellowish cysts themselves are the main symptom of milia. They are sometimes mistaken for white heads (acne). But milia do not itch or cause any pain or discomfort.

Can I remove milia with a needle?

There are a variety of treatment options to remove Milia depending on the type, location and number of Milia that need removing. The most common type of Milia Removal is carried out using a sterile needle.

How do you pop a whitehead that won't pop?

Before you start squeezing, take a look at some of the alternatives to popping a pimple:
  1. Professional extraction: A dermatologist or esthetician can safely drain pimples using sterile tools. ...
  2. Warm compress: For a pustule with a white head, apply a warm compress to help open the pore, soften the pimple, and ease drainage.

MILIA - How to treat and prevent them | Dermatologist Perspective

How do you get rid of whiteheads that won't come out?

Use small cotton pads or swabs to prevent extra oil from getting on the skin. Apply gentle pressure to both sides of the whitehead to get it to pop, and stop if the whitehead does not pop with this gentle pressure. Rinse and cleanse the area after popping.

What does milia look like?

Milia appear as 1-2 mm white-to-yellow, dome-shaped cysts that are not painful or itchy. The most common locations for milia in adults are the cheeks, eyelids, nose, chin, forehead, and genital skin. Milia in adults may last for months or years.

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.

How to remove white heads from face at home?

Home remedies to treat Whiteheads

Tea Tree Oil could help to clear up spots due to its anti-inflammatory features. Create a solution by blending 1-2 drops of Tea Tree oil with 3-4 drops of Jojoba oil. Apply this mixture to the affected areas and follow up with a moisturiser to prevent dry skin.

What does a sepsis pimple look like?

As the wound begins to dry, a crust starts to form in the outer layer. If the crust is yellowish and if there is a formation of pimples on or near the wound, it could be septic. Sores that look like blisters. If there is a formation of sores which look like pockets of fluid around the area, they could be septic.

How to remove milia at home?

There are things you can do at home that can help:
  1. Wash your face every day with warm water and gentle soap. Then dry your skin very gently. ...
  2. Don't use lotions or oils that are meant for adults on a baby. ...
  3. Adults might try an over-the-counter treatment to exfoliate their skin.
  4. Use sunscreen when you go outdoors.

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

What are sebum plugs?

Sebum plugs are a type of acne that occur when an oily substance called sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog skin pores and prevent sebum from reaching the surface of the skin. This can lead to whiteheads and blackheads and are commonly found on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and even neck areas.

What is the best whitehead remover?

We suggest CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid, an ingredient recommended by the AAD for managing whiteheads and blackheads.

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.

What is a calcified pimple?

Calcium deposits under your skin look like firm white or yellow bumps. The bumps may be different sizes and sometimes show up in clusters. At first, you may notice redness or itching on your skin. But most people don't have any symptoms before calcium deposits appear.

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."

How to remove milia with a needle?

Milia extraction is a frequently performed procedure in dermatology. The traditional approach involves using a needle to puncture the lesional surface and then carefully maneuvering it to extract the contents of the cyst.

What are the white bumps on my face that won't pop?

Milia are usually very small, white or flesh-coloured bumps which are firm to the touch. They have a different appearance to a pimple or spot as they don't have a head and cannot be squeezed. They are generally not red or inflamed (except for milia en plaque) and should not feel uncomfortable or painful.

What comes out when you squeeze milia?

Milia form under a thin layer of skin and not in a pore. That means there is no opening in the skin to squeeze the plug out. Never try to pop or otherwise extract milia yourself. It won't work, and it can cause infection, serious skin damage, and even permanent scarring.

What happens if milia is left untreated?

Left untreated, an infected milia cyst could lead to systemic issues if the infection spreads to the bloodstream, though this is rare. If you suspect your eye milia is infected or inflamed, consult a dermatologist or ophthalmologist for appropriate care.

Why do I have a hard bump on my face that is not a pimple?

For many people, skin bumps on the face are caused by an acne breakout. But not all bumps are acne. Growths, like moles, cysts, and milia, can form bumps on your face. You can also get cancers on your face.

Can I squeeze milia?

People should avoid popping or squeezing milia. This will not remove the milia and may damage or scar the skin. It is also best to avoid poking or picking milia. This interference increases the risk of infection and can lead to scarring.

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