Montgomery glands can become filled with a waxy substance. The gland then resembles a pimple with a white or yellowish head. These spots are known as Montgomery tubercles. Women do not have to be pregnant or breast-feeding for this to occur.
Pimples on the nipple can result from a blocked pore, an ingrowing hair, and other factors that usually cause pimples. They typically respond to home treatment. However, hormonal factors, tight clothing, and infections can also contribute, and some people may need medical treatment.
Tubercles around the breast and nipples should not be squeezed or picked at. Although they look a bit like small pimples that could be popped, they're a normal part of your breast anatomy and should be left alone.
These swollen glands can be filled with a waxy substance, giving them the appearance of a spot or a pimple with a yellowish or white head. These are harmless. You should avoid squeezing, popping or trying to unclog Montgomery glands because this could lead to infection or skin injury.
Fluid leaking from one or both nipples when you are not breastfeeding is called nipple discharge. Clear, cloudy, or white discharge that appears only when you press on your nipple is usually normal. The more the nipple is pressed or stimulated, the more fluid appears.
It is normal to have small bumps on the flat, brown part of your breast called the areola. These bumps are called Montgomery glands. They secrete oil that helps to lubricate the areola. They become slightly larger and slightly red/pink when you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Just like with breasts, there's no one way that nipples are supposed to look. Both nipples and areolas (the circular skin around your nipple) come in different sizes and colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually relates to your skin color.
During Breastfeeding
Sometimes, Montgomery's tubercles become so enlarged that they look like fluid-filled pimples. You may be tempted to try to pop them, but don't: That can invite infection.
White spots can appear on the nipple and the surrounding areola during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, as a result of hormonal changes or a blocked pore. They can also be a sign of an infection, such as thrush.
Adding, Dr Kabilan said, “You don't need to thoroughly clean your nipple after each and every feed, but you can use warm water to rinse the saliva, followed by pat drying with a clean towel after every three or four feeds throughout the day.”
Nipple discharge that contains pus may indicate an infection in your breast. This is also known as mastitis. Mastitis is usually seen in women who are breastfeeding. But it can develop in women who are not lactating.
Clogged pores on the chest can make breasts feel inflamed, lumpy, or discolored. Clogged pores may also appear as whiteheads, blackheads or cystic pimples. Inflammation: Clogged pores can lead to inflammation, making breasts feel warm to the touch, swollen, red or irritated.
Breast acne can come in different forms and may appear as any of the following: Blackheads: a clogged hair follicle that appears as a dark coloured bump or spot. Whiteheads: a clogged hair follicle covered by a thin layer of skin that tends to appear as a white bump or spot.
The glands supply the skin with sebum and are visible primarily because of the very thin nature of the skin in these areas. Small amounts of white, pasty material can be expressed from areolar glands with digital manipulation, although the material reforms very quickly. On occasion, they can become slightly inflamed.
The nipples and the area around the nipples (areola) become darker and larger. Small bumps may appear on the areola. These bumps will go away after you have your baby. You may notice a yellowish discharge, called colostrum, from your nipples as early as the 16th to 19th week.
Montgomery glands typically shrink and become less visible on their own soon after pregnancy, if you're not breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, they'll likely diminish once your journey is over.
It may be tempting to squeeze them, especially if they have yellow or white heads, but resist the urge. It can introduce bacteria that may lead to infection. You can wash Montgomery glands along with the rest of your nipple with soap and warm water, but avoid harsh cleansers.
Blanching can be the result of a vasospasm, when the blood vessels constrict and spasm,1 or from any other situation that temporarily stops the blood from flowing to the nipples. When this happens, the nipples turn pale or white, and there may be a painful, burning sensation.
Galactorrhea (guh-lack-toe-REE-uh) is a milky nipple discharge unrelated to the normal milk production of breast-feeding. Galactorrhea itself isn't a disease, but it could be a sign of an underlying problem. It usually occurs in women, even those who have never had children or after menopause.
If you're not pregnant, other causes could be hormonal shifts due to menstruation or birth control, trauma or infection. If you experience prolonged soreness that's accompanied by a lump or nipple discharge, contact your healthcare provider right away.