Are My Nipple Bumps Normal or Something to Worry About?
You likely know that lumps and bumps on your boobs are generally worth talking to a doctor about, especially if they feel worse over time or simply don’t go away. But they’re not always a sign of something serious (if your mind immediately jumps to the Big C, remember there are other early symptoms of breast cancer.
So what’s the deal? Here, experts break down the possible reasons why you have nipple bumps, how to treat them if they’re bugging you, and when it’s time to check in with a doctor.
There are lots of things that can cause bumps on your nipples, and, thankfully, they’re usually NBD.
First, a little anatomy refresher: The nipple is the nub that often sticks out of the breast (sometimes it’s pretty flat or even points inward). It’s where milk comes out if you’re breastfeeding. The areola, on the other hand, is the circle of pigmented skin around the nipple. Bumps can form on both your nipples and areolae, so for the sake of ease, we’ll refer to all of these as “nipple bumps” and get more specific when we need to.
If you’re realizing those small bumps on your nipples are actually sprinkled across your areolae, you’re likely noticing your Montgomery glands. These little bumps are sebaceous glands. They make oily secretions known as sebum, and this substance keeps your areolae and nipples lubricated, a breast cancer surgeon in Los Angeles and Glendale, California, tells SELF. The exact reason why this lubrication matters isn’t entirely clear, but it likely supports breastfeeding by keeping the area moisturized, Dr. Holmes says. There’s also a theory that the scent of the sebum may even help stimulate a newborn’s appetite, he adds.
Everyone has Montgomery glands, a breast surgical oncologist at Stamford Health Medical Group in Connecticut, tells SELF. And as with every other part of your body, there’s a lot of variation in the Montgomery-gland department. Some people may have large, obvious bumps, while others have small ones that are barely visible.
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. (Also, just like your nipples may perk up when it’s cold, a temperature change can potentially make your Montgomery glands show up a little more, Dr. Holmes says.)
You might have hair on your breasts, including on or around your nipples, which is totally normal. And wherever hair grows on your body, the possibility of ingrown hair follows (especially if you’ve been tweezing, shaving, or waxing near the area). These tender bumps form when strands of hair curl in on themselves and back into the skin rather than emerging out as they should. Ingrowns can look like pimples because they tend to fill up with pus and cause hyperpigmentation, but one major difference is that you can sometimes see a little loop of hair with each end embedded into the skin, a board-certified dermatologist and founding director in Maryland, tells SELF. You may also feel some pain, burning, and itchiness around ingrowns too.
Speaking of pimples…. You can get acne anywhere on your skin, including your nipples. “They can look like red, inflamed, or pus-filled bumps, similar to what can be seen with acne [elsewhere on your body],” an assistant professor of dermatology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, tells SELF. They may feel a little tender to the touch or be visible but not feel irritating at all, Dr. Rodney adds.
Eczema can make surprise appearances on seemingly random parts of your skin too. “The nipples can become more prone to eczema because of rubbing against bras or clothing,” Dr. Wassef says. If you’re breastfeeding, the repeated wetness and dryness from your baby’s mouth (as well as their saliva on its own) can also trigger flare-ups.
Eczema on your nipples can look like a dry, flaky, or scaly rash or tiny bumps like acne that ooze fluid. You might notice some discoloration in the area (like red, brown, or, gray patches depending on your skin tone), as well as lots of itchiness and potential stinging or burning.
If you think your " dry, bumpy skin could be eczema—particularly if it persists or flares up in waves—it’s crucial to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis so you know what you’re dealing with.
HS is an inflammatory condition that causes deep, painful lumps or cysts to form, usually where skin touches skin (like the armpits, groin, or under the breasts)—but they can also appear on the nipples for some people. The bumps can look like pimples or boils at first, then develop into abscesses that break open and leak blood and pus. You shouldn't squeeze at these spots to avoid potential complications, like scarring or infection, so checking in with a doctor is your best move.
How to get rid of nipple bumps
If what you’ve been thinking of as “questionable” nipple bumps are just your Montgomery glands, they’re a perfectly normal part of your anatomy that requires no treatment.
But if you’ve spotted what looks like an ingrown hair, soften the skin by applying a warm compress or exfoliate by gently washing the area with a warm washcloth using a circular motion for several minutes, Dr. Rodney says. This can help encourage the hair to break free on its own. (The same advice applies if you think you have a plugged Montgomery gland; try taking a warm shower or using a warm compress to try to loosen the sebum plug.) To treat acne, reach for the same mild acne cleanser you’d use on your face (these usually contain 1-2% salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) when you suds up in the shower. Just keep an eye out for dryness or itchiness, Dr. Rodney says; if your nips are getting irritated, scale back on how often you use the cleanser.
For mild eczema, Dr. Rodney recommends slathering on a body cream that's safe for sensitive skin, ideally within a few minutes of stepping out of the shower to lock in the hydration. A petroleum jelly product is also a great option because it acts as a protective barrier. “A lot of times people will moisturize skin on other areas of their body and neglect their nipples and breasts—but they’re covered in skin that needs hydration too,” she says. If OTC remedies aren’t cutting it, talk to your doctor about whether you might benefit from a stronger Rx cream or ointment. (The same goes for HS or other chronic skin conditions; they can’t always be cured, but you can manage your symptoms with prescription topical or oral medications.)
Keep in mind that your breasts, particularly your nipples, can be sensitive, so resist the urge to be too rough or pick at your skin. The experts we spoke with strongly advise against squeezing any bumps on your nipples, even if it’s just a little whitehead: “You’ll just traumatize the skin, which can lead to more inflammation and swelling,” Dr. Rodney says. You can also accidentally introduce bacteria this way, increasing your risk of an infection.
When to see a doctor about nipple bumps (or other symptoms in that zone)
According to Dr. Cate, if you develop a sudden rash on or near your nipples, swelling in the area, redness or other discoloration, skin that feels warm to the touch, a fever, or a hard mass that forms quickly and sticks around for at least a few weeks, it’s time to see a health care professional.
In rare cases, itchy breasts or skin irritation that lingers for more than a month could be a sign of Paget's disease of the breast, a type of breast cancer that extends through the milk ducts and surface of the skin, Dr. Holmes says. Paget’s disease usually impacts people over the age of 50, and though it typically starts in the nipple before spreading, it is rarely limited to the nipple alone.
With Paget’s disease, you might have symptoms like itching, tingling, or redness in the nipple and/or areola, flaking and crustiness of the skin on or around the nipple, and a flattened nipple. You might also notice nipple discharge that’s yellowish or bloody. Paget’s disease is often asymmetric, too. So if you notice any of these changes on just one nipple, you may want to see a doctor sooner rather than later.
All of this is to say: If your nipples are looking or feeling different from your normal and certain symptoms are stressing you out, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Usually, it’s nothing major or can be treated easily, but a quick appointment is worth the peace of mind.