The secretion of an oily or waxy substance in the nipple area helps to keep the nipples soft and supple. The substance also contains anti-infective properties that help keep germs away.
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.
“[Areolas] contain small, sensitive bumps called Montgomery's glands, which secrete a fluid that keeps the nipples lubricated,” explains Dr. Aliabadi. So bumps are kinda part of the anatomy. Note that these oil glands can also become blocked, which may make them look larger or similar to a pimple.
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.
Nipples may secrete fluid when they are stimulated or squeezed. Normal nipple discharge may also occur when your nipples are repeatedly chafed by your bra or during vigorous physical exercise, such as jogging.
Boob sweat is absolutely normal, and most women experience it at some point. If you're curious about how to prevent boob sweat, here's a few helpful tips. Dealing with sweaty boobs can be annoying and embarrassing.
Lots of things can make your nipples itchy. They're sensitive in general. They also stick out, and they can get irritated from friction, eczema, breastfeeding, or pregnancy. Rarely, itchy nipples can be a sign of a more serious condition.
“Generally, your natural lip shade is the same colour as your nipple. If you are using this method to search for a nude lipstick, it will give your the perfect nude lip for your skin tone.” Since the nipple/lip hack has made the TikTok rounds, there's been a reported spike in “nipple shade” lipsticks.
The crustiness you're referring to is likely related to the discharge from the nipple that has dried, forming a crusty scale. In most cases, nipple discharge is nothing to worry about. It could be due to cysts in the breasts, non-cancerous tumors, or infection, among other conditions.
2.1 Stage 1 This stage begins at about 8-12 years old, the nipples just begin to pop up, pink circle appears. This process takes quite a long time. 2.2 Stage 2 Stage 2 is around age 13. The baby's chest will be raised and gradually develop into breasts, the pink circle will grow wider and more sensitive.
You may do this by taking a shower, soaking a wash cloth in warm water and holding it over the affected nipple, or soaking the breast in warm water with Epsom salts. If that doesn't work, you may try gently rubbing the blister with a clean, warm washcloth to remove any skin obstructing the milk duct.
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.
Montgomery tubercles are small bumps around your nipples and are completely normal. They are most common during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as around puberty and throughout the menstrual cycle.
There's no need to clean the breast or nipples before breastfeeding. In fact, bacteria from the surface of your breast can help develop your baby's gut microbiome. Fresh breast milk can help heal damaged nipples,8 so try massaging a few drops into them before and after feeds.
Pimples on the nipple are often treated the same way as pimples elsewhere, although this may vary based on the cause. Most pimples on the nipple should be left alone. The body will clear them without outside help, and popping them can make them worse.
Inverted nipples are often congenital, meaning they have been present since birth. This condition may result from milk ducts that do not fully develop or because the nipple base remained small while in the womb. Nipple inversion can occur in both males and females and often affects both sides instead of just one.
The nipple has thin and delicate skin, making them prone to dryness, chafing, and redness. That's why it's worth incorporating a nipple cream or moisturizer into your routine that provides relief to dry skin and replenishes lost moisture.
The skin of the nipple and areola often looks crusted, scaly, and red. There may be blood or yellow fluid coming out of the nipple. Sometimes the nipple looks flat or inverted. It also might burn or itch.
Nipple Color
Nipples and areolas can range from pale pink to a deep brown. It's also possible for nipple and areola color to change throughout our lifetime. Hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, can cause the area to become lighter or darker.
The nipple or areola color ranging from pink to dark brown is entirely normal. It can also change due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. Your nipple or areola (dark skin around the nipple) could change during pregnancy. It can get darker, which is also quite common.
“The nipple or areola colour can vary from person to person, but anywhere between pink to dark brown is considered normal. The colour can change due to hormonal fluctuations in the body, and also when you are pregnant. Several women feel that it goes darker when they are about to conceive.
Fast facts on itchy nipples:
Most causes are benign (non-cancerous) in nature. Usually, treatment involves home remedies or prescription medication. Nipple itching can be a sign of a rare and serious form of cancer called Paget's disease of the breast.
Nipples are prone to dryness, especially during dry, cold climates. The dry weather deprives the skin of essential oils, hamper the outer skin layer, and lead to dehydration and inflammation. If dryness is the cause of itchy nipples, then your nipples may look chafed or raw.
Your period is coming.
And as it turns out, itchy nipples are a fairly common symptom of PMS. “Some women experience itchy nipples due to a hormonal influx of estrogen prior to their periods,” explains Thaïs Aliabadi, MD, an ob-gyn and co-founder of Trimly.
Treatment and prevention
Montgomery tubercles are harmless, and no treatment is necessary when these change or increase in number. These spots should not be squeezed or popped as this can introduce infection.