Learning something new about your body can be worrisome, especially if it’s a change you’ve never heard of before. Many women worry about bumps on their nipples.
Sure, we’ve been taught to be on high alert for anything different around our breast area. But most bumps found on the nipple or areola are not signs of illness. These bumps around the nipple are called Montgomery tubercles. There are small bumps on your areola that can appear during pregnancy. They often appear right alongside those dark veins and painful nipples that are hallmarks of early pregnancy.
Here’s what you need to know about Montgomery tubercles, including what they look like, what causes them, what to do if they become infected, and whether you should remove them.
To know more about nipple bumps, we contacted gynecologist Dr. Ritu Sethi. She said that these bumps are not a matter of concern most of the time but sometimes they can cause concern.
What are Montgomery tubercles
Dr. Ritu Sethi says that if you don’t wash your hair for a few days, it becomes greasy. This is the work of sebaceous glands, also known as oil glands. You have oil glands all over your body, including your areola, which are the dark circular areas of skin around your nipple. The oil glands on your nipple are called Montgomery tubercles
Just like oil glands on your scalp and throughout your body keep moisture in, Montgomery tubercles lubricate your areolas to keep them from drying out. Montgomery tubercles have many benefits such as
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- helping babies to breastfeed, by smelling scent that attracts them to the nipple
- Preventing germs from getting into breast milk
- Preventing nipple cracking
- preventing infection by lubricating the skin
What causes Montgomery tubercles?
- There are many causes of Montgomery tubercles
- Nipple stimulation
- Changes in body weight
- Hormone changes
- Cold Temperatures
- Pregnancy
- Tension
- tight-fitting clothes
Can Montgomery tubercles get infected
Like stubborn pimples, you can pop Montgomery tubercles to get rid of them quickly. However, popping Montgomery tubercles can lead to infection. There are several other factors that increase the risk of Montgomery tubercles infection.
- Diabetes
- Nipple piercing
- Smoking
Is a rash on the nipple a sign of cancer
In very rare cases, a rash on the breast can be a symptom of breast cancer.
When cancer cells block lymph vessels, which carry lymph fluid and white blood cells throughout the lymphatic system, they can cause red, swollen, and pitted breast skin that can be mistaken for a rash.
Irritation or pitting of the skin can be an early sign of inflammatory breast cancer. If your symptoms don’t improve after a week or two, you should see your doctor.
What you can do about pimples on the nipple
Most pimples or rashes on the nipples go away within a few days. Treatments depend on the cause of the rash, and often no treatment is needed. However, if they keep recurring, you can take some precautions.
If you sweat during exercise, clean and dry your breasts and change your bra or shirt.
Shower daily, making sure your breasts and nipples are completely dry before getting dressed.
Avoid wearing clothing that rubs or chafes your nipples and areolas.
If you apply lotion to your breasts or nipples, make sure it is gentle on your skin.
When to see a doctor for bumps on nipples
- When a lump on the nipple is swollen, red, or painful
- other lumps or swelling in the breast tissue
- Nipple turning inward
- dimpling or sinking of the skin on your breast
- something flowing from your nipple
- scaly skin on your breast or nipple
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