Pale Areolas
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Pale Areolas
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What are the five stages of breast development?
What hormone causes nipple changes?
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Variations in Nipple Shapes and Sizes and When to Be Concerned
Breast Anatomy Is Complex and Intricate
Everything You Need to Know About Nipple Pain
Why Are Breasts Sore During Pregnancy?
Overview and Causes of Galactorrhea
What is the Connection Between Areolas and Breast Cancer?
Know Which Breast Changes Warrant a Call to Your Healthcare Provider
Why Some People Have a Third Nipple
Understanding Breast Cancer Surgery Options
Is This Breast Lump Benign or Cancerous?
What Is Paget's Disease of the Nipple?
Breast Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Possible Reasons Behind Your Breast Pain
How Pain and Swelling May Occur in Male Breasts
Symptoms of Breast Pain in Menopause
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Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Verywell Health is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
Serenity Mirabito, MSN, RN, OCN, is a published oncology nurse writer who advocates for those surviving and thriving with cancer.
Many factors can alter the appearance, shape, or texture of your nipple and areola. Sometimes these changes are temporary and due to hormonal shifts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Permanent changes of the nipple or areola are often seen with breast surgeries, weight loss, and aging. It's important to be familiar with what is normal for your breasts and report any changes to your medical provider.
This article will discuss the normal and abnormal variations of the nipple and areola.
Nipples and areolas vary in size. The areola is a pigmented circular area around the nipple, usually between 3 centimeters and 6 centimeters (1.2 inches to 2.4 inches) across. 1 The size of nipples and areolas can sometimes correlate to breast size, but genes can also play a role. It's normal for nipples and areolas to change in size during puberty, certain stages of your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. 2
Inform your healthcare provider of any changes in the texture (such as an orange peel feeling), skin condition (ulcerations), or pain of the nipples or areolas.
The areola is often darker than the nipple itself. Depending on your skin tone, it can range from pale pink to dark brown. Hormonal changes (menstrual cycle and menopause), breast surgery, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can result in a color change of the nipple and areola. The color will return closer to normal as hormones normalize and after pregnancy.
A change in nipple color to red, purple, or dark purple, especially accompanied by itching or drainage, should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider.
Changes to the nipple and the areola of one breast are more concerning than changes in both. 3 Still, you should report any unusual changes to your healthcare provider.
The skin texture of the nipple is normally smooth, whereas the areola can be bumpy and pimple-like. Montgomery glands, which are responsible for lubricating the nipple and areola during lactation, are the raised areas on the areola. Eczema , a treatable skin rash, can change the texture of the areola.
Skin thickening, redness, swelling, and warmth could be indications of serious conditions like inflammatory breast cancer or Paget's disease of the nipple . Notify your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms.
Your nipples normally become erect when touched or exposed to the cold. The areolas may become more firm as well. During pregnancy, the Montgomery glands enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding. As a result, the glands can become clogged, resulting in an infection. Clogged Montgomery glands can be treated with antibiotics and home remedies.
You should see a healthcare provider if you're not pregnant and develop any new lumps or bumps.
It's normal to have a few hairs on your areolas. However, plucking or tweezing your areola can cause ingrown hairs and infected follicles. Cutting or shaving are better options.
It's not typical to have more than a few hair strands on each areola. More hair than that can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance (when there are more androgens, male hormones, than typical) that can cause infertility. 4 Symptoms include:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice an increase in hair growth on your breasts.
Although nipple discharge is uncommon, it's not always abnormal. It can be caused by hormonal changes or pregnancy.
Nipple discharge is typically released from the milk ducts and may be:
The consistency can vary from thick and viscous to thin and watery. If benign (not harmful), the discharge usually comes from both breasts. The fluid may leak spontaneously or only when the breasts are squeezed or stimulated.
During pregnancy, a milky discharge is normal as the breasts are preparing to produce milk. 5 Sometimes, certain stages of the menstrual cycle can cause discharge.
Other causes of nipple discharge include:
Nipple discharge is more likely to be related to breast cancer when:
Some nipple pain is normal or expected. For example, it's common for your breasts and nipples to be sore just before menstruation. In addition, breastfeeding can cause raw, cracked, and bleeding nipples. 8
A 2018 study estimated that 80%–90% of people who breastfeed experience sore nipples at some point. 8
Several benign and treatable conditions associated with nipple pain include:
Raynaud's phenomenon can cause nipple vasoconstriction, resulting in episodes of pain, burning, and/or tingling. This can occur with:
In rare cases, nipple pain is a symptom of breast cancer, particularly Paget's disease of the nipple. 10
See your healthcare provider if you have: 11
Some people's nipples are more sensitive than others. As a result, they may be irritated by certain laundry detergents or fabrics. For example, long-distance runners can experience more nipple pain than nonathletes due to chafing. 12 Reduce chafing by wearing a correctly fitted, breathable cotton bra. Using a detergent for sensitive skin can also help prevent nipple irritation and sensitivity.
Sexual arousal is another reason for sensitive nipples. This occurs because the brain registers nipple stimulation as a sexual act.
Nipple variations are usually something people are born with. 13 They include inverted nipples, also called retracted nipples. Inverted nipples look sunken or indented. They can also occur as part of the normal aging process , typically on both sides.
If your nipples used to stick out and have suddenly become flattened, especially on just one side, talk to your healthcare provider. In some cases, this can be a sign of breast cancer . 14
Inverted nipples can make it difficult to breastfeed. A baby's mouth typically firmly latches on to the protruding nipple and part of the areola, which stimulates milk production. Certain techniques and devices, like nipple shields, can improve breastfeeding success. 15 You may also want to see a lactation consultant for further support.
Having extra nipples is called supernumerary nipples or polythelia . An estimated 0.2%–2.5% of the population has polythelia. This condition is considered a minor congenital defect. 16
Extra nipples are usually small and below the breasts. Therefore, they may not be noticeable until puberty or pregnancy. Extra nipples are benign and do not need to be treated or removed. 17
Nipples and areolas vary in size, shape, color, and texture. Becoming familiar with how your nipples and areolas look is important. Sudden changes in their appearance should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately.
Other issues like excessive hair growth, leaking nipples, sudden retraction, or inversion of the nipples also need to be evaluated. Although these changes may be normal depending on hormonal changes, pregnancy, or aging, they could also be signs of serious conditions or illnesses.
Many women are self-conscious about the appearance of their nipples and areolas. Although undergoing breast surgery to correct the perceived problem is a solution, so is practicing body positivity . Genetics and race play a large part in how nipples and areolas appear. Learning to love and honor these differences is important for self-esteem and confidence.
From puberty to menopause it's normal for your nipples and areolas to change. It's essential, however, to report sudden or one-sided changes to your healthcare provider immediately.
The five stages of breast development according to the Tanner Stages are:
Hormones called estrogens are responsible for nipple, areola, and breast changes.
In general, breasts begin to develop between the ages of 8 and 13. Typically, female breasts are fully developed between 17 and 18 years old. However, they can continue to grow into the early 20s.
Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox.
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Zucca-Matthes G, Urban C, Vallejo A. Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts . Gland Surg . 2016 Feb; 5(1): 32–36. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.05.10
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. Polycystic ovary syndrome .
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Benign nipple conditions .
Suthar N, Pareek V, Nebhinani N, Suman D. Galactorrhea with antidepressants: A case series. Indian J Psychiatry . 2018;60(1):145. doI: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_317_17
Niazi A, Rahimi VB, Soheili-Far S, et al. A systematic review on prevention and treatment of nipple pain and fissure: Are they curable ? J Pharmacopuncture . 2018;21(3):139-150. doi:10.3831/KPI.2018.21.017
Management of breast conditions and other breastfeeding difficulties . In: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Model Chapter for Textbooks for Medical Students and Allied Health Professionals. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. Paget disease of the breast .
Sathian B, Nagaraja SB, Banerjee I, et al. Awareness of breast cancer warning signs and screening methods among female residents of Pokhara valley, Nepal . Asian Pac J Cancer Prev . 2014;15(11):4723-6. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.11.4723
Purim KSM, Leite, N. Sports-related dermatoses among road runners in Southern Brazil . An Bras Dermatol . 2014 Jul-Aug; 89(4): 587–592. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142792
Ryerson AB, Miller J, Eheman CR. Reported breast symptoms in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program . Cancer Causes Control . 2015;26(5):733–740. doi:10.1007/s10552-015-0544-1
University of Michigan Health: Michigan Medicine. Breastfeeding with inverted nipples .
Miranda EP. Congenital defects of the skin and hands. Polythelia and polymastia . In: Pediatric Surgery (Seventh Edition) . Elsevier; 2012.
National Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Supernumerary nipple .
Emmanuel M, Bokor BR. Tanner stages. StatPearls Publishing.
Shaheed SU, Tait C, Kyriacou K, Linforth R, Salhab M, Sutton C. Evaluation of nipple aspirate fluid as a diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer . Clin Proteomics . 2018 Jan 11;15:3. doi:10.1186/s12014-017-9179-4.
Yılmaz R, Bender Ö, Çelik Yabul F, Dursun M, Tunacı M, Acunas G. Diagnosis of nipple discharge: Value of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography in comparison with ductoscopy . Balkan Med J. 2017 Apr 5;34(2):119-126. doi:10.4274/balkanmedj.2016.0184.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pigmented area on the breast around the nipple
For the other anatomic sense, see Loose connective tissue . For other uses, see Areola (disambiguation) .
Not to be confused with Areolar connective tissue or Ariola .
This article needs more medical references for verification or relies too heavily on primary sources . Please review the contents of the article and add the appropriate references if you can. Unsourced or poorly sourced material may be challenged and removed . Find sources: "Areola" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( September 2017 )
Breast schematic diagram (adult female human cross section) Legend: 1. Thoracic wall 2. Pectoralis muscles 3. Lobules 4. Nipple 5. Areola 6. Duct 7. Fatty tissue 8. Skin
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Areola .
Look up areola in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
^ OED 2nd edition, 1989.
^ Jump up to: a b "areola" . Merriam-Webster Dictionary .
^ The plural of areola is areolas or areolae ( / ə ˈ r iː ə ˌ l i / or / ˌ ær i ˈ oʊ ˌ l i , ˌ ɛr -/ ). Areola is the diminutive of Latin area , meaning "open place".
^ Doucet S, Soussignan R, Sagot P, Schaal B (2009). "The Secretion of Areolar (Montgomery's) Glands from Lactating Women Elicits Selective, Unconditional Responses in Neonates" . PLOS One . 4 (10): e7579. Bibcode : 2009PLoSO...4.7579D . doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.0007579 . PMC 2761488 . PMID 19851461 . {{ cite journal }} : CS1 maint: uses authors parameter ( link )
^ "Dark nipples: 7 causes and when to see a doctor" . Medical News Today . 3 April 2018 . Retrieved 2019-02-10 .
^ Jump up to: a b Hussain, M.; Rynn, L.; Riordan, C.; Regan, P. J. (2003). "Nipple-areola reconstruction: outcome assessment". European Journal of Plastic Surgery . 26 (7): 356–358. doi : 10.1007/s00238-003-0566-x . S2CID 40150919 .
^ Santos, Kamila Juliana da Silva; Santana, Géssica Silva; Vieira, Tatiana de Oliveira; Santos, Carlos Antônio de Souza Teles; Giugliani, Elsa Regina Justo; Vieira, Graciete Oliveira (2016). "Prevalence and factors associated with cracked nipples in the first month postpartum" . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth . 16 (1): 209. doi : 10.1186/s12884-016-0999-4 . ISSN 1471-2393 . PMC 4975913 . PMID 27496088 .
^ J. Zitelli, Basil; McIntire, Sara C; J Nowalk, Andrew (2017). Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis E-Book . Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 345. ISBN 978-0323511858 .
The human areola ( areola mammae , / ə ˈ r iː ə l ə / [1] [2] or / ˌ ær i ˈ oʊ l ə / [2] [3] ) is the pigmented area on the breast around the nipple . Areola, more generally, is a small circular area on the body with a different histology from the surrounding tissue , or other small circular areas such as an inflamed region of skin.
The mature human female nipple has several small openings arranged radially around the tip of the lactiferous ducts from which milk is released during lactation . Other small openings in the areola are sebaceous glands , also known as areolar glands . [4]
The areolae can range from pink to red to brown to dark brown or nearly black, but generally tend to be paler among people with lighter skin tones and darker among people with darker skin tones. A reason for the differing color may be to make the nipple area more visible to the infant. [5]
The size and shape of areolae and nipples are also highly variable, with those of women usually being larger than those of men and prepubescent girls. Human areolae are mostly circular in shape, but many women have large areolae that are noticeably elliptical .
The average diameter of male areolae is around 28.0 mm (1.1 in). Sexually mature women have an average of 38.1 mm (1.5 in), but sizes can exceed 100 mm (4 in). [6] Lactating women, and women with particularly large breasts, may have even larger areolae. A function of the specialized dermis of the areola is to protect the regular breast skin from wear, cracking , and irritation. Infants sometimes create trauma to the nipple and areolae by latching-on . [7]
Rated according to the Tanner scale of female physical development, the areolae enlarge during stage 3, but they show no separation of contour. During stage 4, the areolae and papillae rise above breast level and form secondary mounds. By stage 5, the breasts have fully developed. As this has resulted in recession of the areolae, the papillae may reach a little above the breasts' contour. [8]
Breastfeeding by the baby innervates slowly and rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors that are densely packed around the areolar region.
Paget's disease of the breast is a malignant condition that outwardly may have the appearance of eczema , with skin changes involving the areola and nipple.
Originally Published: March 20, 2017
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Most of us don’t spend much time considering our areola (plural: areolae, because who doesn’t love a good diphthong), which is the technical name for that darker colored skin around your nipples . If you've noticed changes in your areolae lately , you may be concerned that they're going to fall off, explode, or signal something deeply wrong — but, in many cases, there are simple explanations for areolae changes.
" Changes in the areola can be caused by various things," Dr. Jamie Lipeles, D.O., an OB-GYN, tells Bustle. "The most common cause in a change in the areola is pregnancy (which is the result of changes in the hormones seen in pregnancy)." Areolae changes are among the signs of early pregnancy; they can get darker, larger, thicker, and you can start to notice surprising new bumps as your milk glands prepare themselves to feed a tiny human . Age can cause changes too, he says, but those alterations take a long time and are generally pretty subtle.
If you're definitely not pregnant, and have noticed that your areolae are changing, they may be telling you something about your health. Here are the main areola changes to look out for if you’re not pregnant, and what they might mean.
The color of your areola changes naturally over time, which you might have noticed b
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