Why do i have bumpy nipples

The areola is circle of skin that surrounds the nipple. Areolas vary in size, and in females, they typically range from 3 to 6 centimeters.

The areola is darker than the nipple itself, and can range from very pale pink to dark brown. It is normal for your breasts, areolas, and nipples to swell at certain times in your menstrual cycle or when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. During pregnancy, your nipples and areola may become darker in color; your areola may also become visibly larger.

Once a mother has stopped breastfeeding, the areola may or may not go back to its pre-pregnancy size and color. Normal hormonal changes often cause changes in the size and color of the nipple and areola. If the area itches, hurts, or changes in texture, it may indicate a problem. In general, any changes to the nipple and the areola that affect only one breast are more concerning than changes that affect both breasts.

However, if you notice anything unusual about your nipples or areolas in one or both breasts, you should call your healthcare provider. A change in your nipples and areola is the thing to watch out for. The skin on the nipple is normally smooth, with small bumps called Montgomery's glands appearing on the skin of the areola.

Often, a change in texture of the areola is due to eczema , a treatable, itchy skin rash that also affects other areas of the body. More concerning changes in areola texture include thickening of the skin, visible swelling or inflammation, an "orange peel" texture, or noticeably warmer skin temperature. These can be symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer IBC , a rare cancer that causes swelling and redness of the breast. Another rare form of breast cancer, Paget's disease of the nipple , starts on the nipple and extends to the areola, and may cause breast lumps or tumors over time.

The nipple may become red and shiny, or thick, rough, and scaly. Your nipple and areola can suddenly become erect and may feel bumpy when touched or exposed to cold. This is a perfectly normal response that typically resolves once the stimulation is removed.

During pregnancy, the bumps on the areola called Montgomery glands enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding and produce lubrication, as well as an odor that is thought to attract the infant to the breast.

It is possible for a clogged Montgomery gland to become infected. If that happens, you may experience pain, as well as an enlarged bump on the areola. Other possible causes of a bump include a pimple or ingrown hair.

If you develop any bumps or lumps on or just beneath your nipple or areola when you aren't pregnant, you should have them checked out. It is normal to have a few hairs on your areolas. That means there is a risk of getting an ingrown hair , a strand of hair that grows back into the skin, often as a result of shaving or tweezing. Ingrown hairs can cause bumps that look very similar to pimples caused by acne. An excess of hair on the areola more than a few strands can be a sign of polycystic ovary disease PCOS , a hormonal imbalance that can cause infertility.

Other symptoms of PCOS include weight gain, irregular periods, and acne. If your nipple hair bothers you, cut or shave it, don't tweeze it. Tweezing can cause the follicle to become infected. Discharge from the nipple is not uncommon and not always abnormal. Hormonal changes can cause nipple discharge, as can pregnancy as the breasts get ready to produce milk.

Nipple discharge will typically come out of the same ducts that carry milk and it may be milky, clear, yellow, green, brown, or bloody. The consistency can vary from thick and viscous to thin and watery. In benign conditions, the discharge usually comes from both breasts. Common causes of nipple discharge can include:. You should have any nipple discharge checked by your healthcare provider.

Nipple discharge is more likely to be a potential sign of breast cancer when it occurs spontaneously occurs without the nipple's being squeezed or stimulated , when it is bloody or clear, comes out of only one nipple, or when it occurs along with other symptoms, such as changes in skin texture, a lump, or nipple pain.

Painful breasts and nipples right before a menstrual period are common. Another common cause of nipple pain is breastfeeding, which can cause nipple skin to become raw, cracked, and bleeding. Several benign, treatable conditions associated with nipple pain include mastitis an infection of breast tissue , a yeast infection in the nipple, or eczema. Between episodes, the nipples are normal and there are no symptoms.

Rarely, nipple pain can be a symptom of breast cancer, particularly Paget's disease of the nipple. If you have persistent nipple tenderness, itchiness, or pain that does not have an obvious cause, you should talk to your healthcare provider a call. Some people's nipples are more sensitive than others' and may become irritated by certain laundry detergents or fabrics.

For example, females who run long distances are more likely to experience nipple pain. And females who jog are prone to "jogger's nipple," in which the nipples are irritated when the fabric of a bra or shirt rubs against them, causing chafing and a burning sensation.

Wearing a snug-fitting jogging bra or putting bandages over your nipples can help. Choose bras made of soft fabrics or padding for your everyday bras and use a mild, scent-free detergent to wash your clothing and bedding. Nipple variations , such as inverted nipples and retracted nipples are usually something you are born with. Inverted nipples appear sunken or indented, rather than raised above the surface of the areola. Nipple inversion can occur as part of the normal aging process and is usually equal on both sides.

But if you were born with nipples that stuck out and have since become flattened, you should talk to your healthcare provider, especially if the change only affects one side. Retracted nipples have a slit-like area that is pulled inward. Ingrown hairs happen when strands of hair curl in on themselves and go back into the skin rather than emerging from the skin as they should, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ingrowns can look similar to pimples, but one major difference is that you can sometimes see a little loop of hair with each end embedded into the skin, the Mayo Clinic says.

You may also experience pain and itching. Despite their theoretical role in breastfeeding, Montgomery glands are there whether you get pregnant or not. That said, you might notice them more when your boobs swell during pregnancy and after you give birth.

If, however, you think you have a plugged Montgomery gland, you can try taking a hot shower or using a warm compress to try to loosen the sebum plug and work it out. Keep in mind, however, that your breasts especially the nipples can be extremely sensitive, so resist the urge to be too rough or pick at your skin. Of course, any change in bumps on or around your boobs is worth noticing and potentially bringing up with your doctor. If your nipple bumps come with other symptoms, that could be cause for concern.

Here are the signs that you should call your doctor, according to Dr. Holmes explains. If you can pinpoint a change in your routine, it would be smart to eliminate those factors if possible to see if things improve, the Mayo Clinic explains. Depending on what your doctor decides, you might need a biopsy, which is a procedure that involves gathering tissue to examine it under a microscope for abnormalities, the Mayo Clinic explains.

Nobody's got time for suffering areolae. If your nipple looks "scaly," like lizard skin, and itches, you may have a problem known as "jogger's nipple," according to WebMD. That glamorous name indicates how it forms: because of friction against bras and other materials, which dry out and irritate the delicate nipple surface and make it hard and inflamed.

Fortunately the chafing issue is usually pretty easily solved with some lubrication; professional runners often use petroleum jelly while exercising, and antiseptic cream is suggested while your nipple is recovering to prevent the dry, broken skin from getting infected. If it keeps recurring even when there's no obvious source of friction, you may have nipple eczema, so keep an eye on it and go see a doctor.

Nipples are pretty sensitive and can get irritated for a variety of reasons. However, if your nipple has suddenly reddened for no apparent reason , won't calm down, and you can't think of any reason for it to happen, monitor it and make an appointment with your doctor. The reason? Paget's disease could be the issue. It's a rare type of breast cancer that centers on the nipple, and redness, along with stiffening of the nipple tissue and irritation, are early signs of it.

If you're concerned, particularly if there's a history of breast cancer in your family, it's worth getting it checked out. If you're breastfeeding, you might run into a different kind of bump on your nipple: pimples. These pesky zits can be a simple case of blocked pores, but they can also be a sign of a yeast infection — yes, on your nipples.