Acne on the chest: causes, treatment, pimples on the nipples

A pimple on the nipple is an annoying cosmetic defect that can ruin the mood, especially for a woman who cares about her appearance. Most often they appear on the face, neck and décolleté. Pimples in the décolleté area are not only an aesthetic problem, but also evidence that not everything is in order in the body. The location itself - the thin skin of the areola and nipple - is quite unusual. Pimples on the nipples are most often painless to the touch, but can be inflamed - with an area of redness and swelling. It happens that they are accompanied by itching and pain from contact with the fabric of the bra. Why does a wen appear on the nipple and how much does it threaten our health?

Causes of acne

Why do acne occur on nipples?

There are several reasons for the appearance of unusual rashes in the nipple area:

Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine glands.
Breastfeeding period.
Blockage of the glands that produce sebaceous secretions.
Wearing clothes made of synthetic materials.
Unbalanced diet, with a predominance of fatty, spicy and fried foods, as well as various sweets.
Allergic reaction.

How to figure out what exactly caused acne on the mammary gland and how to treat it?

Why does a rash occur?

Pimples on the nipples of the breast are a specific problem that has several causes:

Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. In this case, contact with sweat and dirt irritates the skin, causing rashes.
Use of cosmetics. Cosmetics cause an allergic reaction or are of poor quality, resulting in pimples appearing on the chest.
Lactation. If during lactation a woman notices a rash on her mammary glands, she should consult a doctor. The reason for this may be blockage of the ducts or an infection that has entered the layers of the epidermis.
. With enzymatic changes, a similar phenomenon often occurs. It worries adolescents during puberty, as well as pregnant women.
Contact with reagents, damage to integument. Small or large rashes on reddened skin occur upon contact with aggressive substances, chemicals and are considered a natural reaction of the body.
Synthetic underwear or low quality clothing. Pimples around the nipple can be the result of incorrectly selected underwear and clothes, in which case it is recommended to change your wardrobe, this will be enough.

Pathological factors

Why did juice rashes appear, pathological reasons:

metabolic disorders, endocrine diseases, including diabetes;
pathologies in the functioning of the sebaceous glands and kidneys, accompanied by increased sweating;
in a child or adult, a rash may be a symptom of damage to the body by pathogens;
a purulent boil that appears indicates that the person has suffered severe hypothermia;
a white pimple on the nipple may be the result of ordinary irritation, an immune or other disease.

It is difficult to find out the exact cause of the occurrence; for this you will need to consult a doctor and undergo a routine examination by a dermatologist.

If the formation hurts, itches or is inflamed. Then you shouldn’t touch it with your hands, try to squeeze it out or cauterize it. This may lead to undesirable consequences.

It happens that a woman squeezed out a pimple, treated the wound, but ended up with even bigger problems. For this reason, before taking any action, you should consult a dermatologist; it would not be a bad idea to see a mammologist.

Particular attention should be paid to Montgomery's tubercles during pregnancy; they occur frequently and indicate that conception was successful, and natural changes have begun in the body, due to the “interesting” position of the woman.

What are Montgomery tubercles? These are specific glands located near the nipple; under the influence of hormones, the glands begin to enlarge. This process is not considered pathological; it can be observed during early or late pregnancy; often the tubercles appear after the birth of the child.

Symptoms of endocrine system dysfunction

The cause of endocrine disruption and the appearance of acne on the mammary gland can be both internal and external reasons:

Malfunction of the endocrine glands, which leads to an imbalance in the level of sex hormones in the body - estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone.
Improper skin care - use of expired cosmetics, non-compliance with the regime of cleansing and nourishing the skin.
Age-related changes that cause the appearance of hormonal skin rashes.
Disorders of the digestive system and liver.
Stress and severe nervous overload.

Natural hormonal fluctuations are most often characteristic of adolescence, lactation, monthly fluctuations in different phases of the hormonal cycle, and menopause. Sometimes hormonal rash is caused by long-term use of oral contraceptives.

In addition to natural causes, hormone imbalance can be associated with diseases of the endocrine glands. In order to correctly diagnose the cause of the appearance of a pimple near the nipple, an endocrinologist or gynecologist may prescribe:

blood test for hormones
examination of the thyroid gland
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and mammary glands

In case of endocrine disorders, it is very important to correctly determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe proper treatment. It is possible that consultation and joint decision by doctors from several medical specialties will be required.

Hormonal imbalances are quite difficult to correct, but acne on the mammary gland responds well to treatment with hormonal ointments.

Eating disorders, strict diets, inflammatory processes in the digestive organs, and stress have a significant impact on hormone levels. A woman needs to make adjustments to her usual lifestyle in order to remove external causes that lead to unpleasant skin rashes around the nipple.

In some cases, infectious agents enter skin cracks and provoke inflammatory processes with the formation of a purulent head. Such an abscess on the nipple should never be squeezed out. If nipple rashes occur regularly, treatment with antibacterial drugs may be required. Self-medication is unacceptable here, since the drugs are prescribed by the doctor after determining the sensitivity of the microflora to the antibiotic.

Treatment methods

First of all, you should firmly understand that self-medication using miracle cosmetic drugs advertised on television and on the Internet or visiting a beauty salon, in terms of effectiveness, cannot be compared with treatment in a hospital under the supervision of doctors. As a rule, this “treatment” will give certain positive results, but all of them will be temporary and the return of the disease in the near future is simply inevitable. This only means wasted time and money.

Based on this, it is highly recommended to make an appointment with a dermatologist and undergo an examination. After receiving instructions from your doctor regarding treatment, you should immediately begin to follow all instructions. It must be remembered that neglecting even one of the instructions can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the entire course of treatment.

In general, to eliminate acne and be confident in the achieved result, you need to follow some general rules and significantly adjust your usual lifestyle.

– a balanced diet and timely eating have a beneficial effect on the condition of the body as a whole. You will have to exclude spicy and fatty foods from the menu. It is better to give preference to boiled and steamed products;
Personal hygiene - it will also help get rid of a pimple on the nipple. It is recommended to pay special attention to soap (tar). They should wash both their nipples and breasts every day. The effect will not take long to appear. has the ability to cleanse the skin. In addition, it can also be used for preventive purposes;
Chest masks - you can prepare them yourself; this requires only natural products. The effectiveness of this remedy has been repeatedly proven and is beyond doubt. There are quite a few recipes for these masks, but their main ingredients are fresh fruit and carrots;
Updating your wardrobe - clothes have a lot to do with the appearance of pimples. If the latter are detected, you should immediately get rid of clothing made from synthetic materials. Tight-fitting outfits are also recommended to be left in the closet. It is better to give preference to things with a loose fit; as for fabrics, it is better to purchase clothes made of linen or cotton;
Air baths are an integral part of the treatment of the disease. The fact is that the breasts, as a rule, are either in clothes or in underwear, and this is the immediate reason that the entire breast and specifically the nipples simply do not have enough oxygen.

When you find pimples on your nipples, the main thing is not to panic. Almost always, everything turns out to be far from being as serious as it might seem at first glance. People often harm themselves by rashly starting treatment without thinking or consulting with a doctor. Very often, treating this disease does not require significant efforts, and timely going to the hospital for help will help save time and nerves.

In the case when the inflammatory process has not yet begun, and the acne is small and is in the initial stage, the procedure for eliminating it is quite simple, carried out on an outpatient basis and does not take much time.

If acne appears periodically, despite the measures taken, it is necessary to regularly visit a dermatologist. This will help maintain the achieved results for a long time.

A woman must monitor the health of her body especially carefully, because it is by nature that she has the honor of bearing children. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the genitals, but also to the mammary glands. Often representatives of the fair sex, when their breasts begin to fill up, their nipples hurt, pimples appear around them, they wonder: is this normal, what changes in the body does this or that phenomenon indicate?

Pimples on the papillae in women are always present in small quantities. At certain periods of life, which we will talk about below, more of them appear. Women have always been interested in what it is and what their number depends on.

Breastfeeding period

During breastfeeding, a woman's mammary glands are most vulnerable. Their glandular epithelium and milk ducts are filled with fluid and react to external factors:

temperature changes
improper attachment of the baby to the breast
non-compliance with hygiene regime

During lactation, milk constantly flows through the milk ducts to the nipple. If children do not latch onto the nipple correctly or do not empty the mammary gland enough, fat particles clog the duct that opens on the nipple, causing a blockage. As a result, a pimple pops up, white in color and painless to the touch. In cases where the blockage of the duct is accompanied by lactostasis, an area of inflammation and swelling may occur.

What to do when there is a blockage of the duct in the nipple? If the pimple caused by the blockage does not hurt or become inflamed, then the mother needs to change the baby’s position when feeding and make sure that all lobules of the mammary gland are emptied equally. The child will resolve the white pimples himself.

In cases where the pimple is complicated by inflammation and swelling, it is better to consult a doctor. He will use a thin sterile needle to open the blocked duct and milk will flow through it freely. Pressing or piercing a white pimple on a child’s nipple on your own is dangerous.

To avoid blockage of the nipple duct and the occurrence of pimples, you must:

Protect the mammary glands from hypothermia.
Change the position of putting the baby to the breast, making sure that the baby grasps the nipple correctly with his mouth.
Do not allow dried milk crusts to appear on your nipples; regularly wash your breasts under the shower.
Seek advice from a specialist for any conditions that cause concern.

There is always a threat of infection and complications such as mastitis.

Etiology

Most often, the following factors contribute to the appearance of pimples on and around the nipples:

formation of Montgomery tubercles;
changes in hormonal levels;
clogging of pores with sebum;
the presence of chronic pathologies of the dermis;
development of an allergic reaction.

Neoplasms in the nipple area are usually painless and cause a woman only aesthetic discomfort, but their appearance cannot be ignored. To protect your health and promptly identify a developing disease, you need to consult a doctor to find out the cause of the formation of pimples.

Montgomery gland blockage

If other cases of acne on the nipple are equally characteristic of men, women and children, then blockage of the Montgomery glands is a disease that affects exclusively the female part of the population.

Montgomery's glands are scattered over the entire surface of the isola, visually they look like tubercles. Their function is to produce a special sebaceous secretion that protects the delicate skin of the areola and nipple. During lactation, these glands emit a special smell, based on which the baby finds the mother's nipple. If, due to external or internal reasons, the Montgomery gland becomes clogged, then a white purulent pimple forms in its place, which hurts a little when pressed. This pathology is called atheroma.

Atheroma can occur in women of all ages - young girls, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and during menopause. If atheroma causes inconvenience, it is recommended to seek help from a dermatologist or mammologist. You should not open it yourself, as there is a risk of infection.

Pathological factors

In addition to non-pathological changes of a physiological nature, sensitive breast skin can react to the development of such dangerous internal diseases:

Furunculosis. The upper layer of the epidermis in and around the nipples is very thin, therefore, in the presence of microtraumas on its surface, it is susceptible to infection by pathogenic microorganisms. Against the background of an infectious lesion, purulent-necrotic inflammatory nodes - boils - develop. Inflamed, painful bumps on the mammary glands are examined and treated by a dermatologist.
Acne. When there is a hormonal imbalance in women, there is often a disruption in the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which provokes clogging of the ducts with sebum. This process is accompanied by the formation of red, inflamed pimples with a white head (blackheads) or “blackheads” (acne). In the treatment of such a disease, doctors give preference to following the rules of hygiene using special cleansers, adjusting the diet and wearing “breathable” clothing made from natural materials.
Eczema. The cause of the formation of small red pimples on the papillae can be eczema, a skin disease that occurs against the background of hormonal imbalance, nervous strain, or an allergic reaction. To cure the disease, the doctor selects medications (antihistamines, restoratives, sedatives, anti-inflammatory) and prescribes a regimen for taking them, taking into account individual history, clinical picture and characteristics of pathogenesis.
Paget's disease. Neoplasms in the nipple area can “signal” the development of a malignant lesion of the skin of the breast. Only a doctor can identify an oncological process, establish its nature and degree of neglect, and prescribe appropriate treatment after receiving data from a comprehensive examination. Painful sensations in the mammary glands are also considered alarming symptoms.
Atheroma. To protect the skin from cracking or infection, a special lipoid secretion is secreted from the nipple. When the excretory ducts are blocked, a benign neoplasm can form that looks like a slightly painful white pimple. Atheroma is not dangerous for the female body, but to prevent the development of an inflammatory purulent process in it, it is necessary to promptly seek medical help.
Allergy. The appearance of foci of inflammation with a characteristic itchy rash indicates the development of an allergic reaction. The discomfort of this condition can be eliminated by taking antihistamines prescribed by your doctor.

Every woman should be attentive to her health and seek medical advice in a timely manner, because the main step in solving health problems is to accurately determine the causes that provoked the development of pathologies.

Every representative of the fair sex can experience the appearance of pimples on the nipples. Therefore, our task is to figure out why they appear, why they are dangerous and how to get rid of them.

Pimples on the nipples do not look very aesthetically pleasing. In this regard, psychological problems may arise that are caused by the presence of a cosmetic defect. As you know, the nipples and areola area are very sensitive. Therefore, any changes in the skin in this area, including acne around the nipples, can cause a burning sensation, itching, and manifestations of the inflammatory process.

Causes of pimples on nipples

Pimples around the nipples can appear due to the following diseases and conditions:

Balance disorders. With pathology of the endocrine glands, various skin manifestations quite often occur, and the skin on the chest and around the nipples is no exception.
Blockage of pores on the skin with keratinized cells. This is often observed in older age, when the processes of keratinization and regeneration of the skin are disrupted.
Allergic reaction to personal hygiene products, underwear made from non-natural fabrics.
The cause of a white pimple on the nipple may be a blockage of the Montgomery glands. These glands are similar to sebaceous glands, but they produce substances that prevent the nipple from excessive drying and protect against bacterial contamination.

How to eliminate pimples on nipples?

When pimples appear on the nipples of the breast, first of all, you need to seek help from a qualified specialist. A dermatologist treats such problems. It is he who will help to understand the causes of pimples around the nipple, and also prescribe the necessary treatment measures. The effect of such treatment will come faster, and the results will last for a long time.

If you have white pimples on your nipples, you should not self-medicate. You should be especially careful if the rashes are prone to inflammation. After all, any irrational action can lead to the spread of the inflammatory process. Squeezing pimples is strictly prohibited, as this can cause infection. It is also important to remember that many cosmetic preparations for combating acne around the nipple only mask cosmetic defects, while the cause of this condition remains. And accordingly, a white pimple on the nipple will appear again and again.

It becomes clear that it will be difficult to eliminate rashes in the nipple area on your own, without the help of a medical professional. But there are certain recommendations, following which you can speed up the recovery process and even prevent repeated relapses. So, if you have white pimples on your nipples, you must follow the following rules:

Good afternoon, dear readers! I work as a dermatologist and over many years of practice I have seen all kinds of skin pathologies. One of the reasons why women turn to me for help is...

It would seem that the pimple on the halo is almost invisible, and such rashes are always covered by clothes, so why panic about such formations?!

Dear women, if you do not have the opportunity to consult a specialist in the near future after discovering a rash in the chest area, use my advice to find out the cause of these formations and first aid to eliminate discomfort.

Pimples on nipples - reaction to allergens

Another possible reason for a lot of pimples to appear is an allergic reaction. Nipple blister occurs especially often when wearing tight bras made of coarse synthetic fabric and using cosmetics - body creams, shower gels that contain aromatic fragrances and chemical detergents.

Symptoms of allergic reactions are the appearance of small reddish pimples covering the area of the areola and nipple. They quickly pass when contact with the allergen is removed. In any case of rashes, it is better to seek help from a specialist who will help identify the cause of the allergization of the body.

Care and prevention

Pimples on the chest can often become inflamed during lactation.

To avoid causing inflammation, you need to follow some rules:

Don't forget about hygiene! Before and after breastfeeding, wash your hands with soap and wipe your breasts. The mammary glands can be treated with chamomile infusion at room temperature.
Choose comfortable underwear; it should not be tight or made of unnatural material.
Watch what you eat. Proper nutrition during lactation is the key to the health of not only you, but also the baby.
Give up bad habits. Smoking and alcohol cause problems in the body that can lead to inflammation.
Don't forget about air procedures, they saturate the skin of the chest with oxygen.

Inflammation of the Montgomery tubercles often hides hormonal disorders. Prevention in this case will not help; you need to contact specialists who will establish hormonal processes in the body.

Actions to take when acne appears

What can and cannot be done when acne appears on the nipples?

An abscess on the nipple should not be cauterized with alcohol tinctures, a strong solution of manganese, ointments with salicylic acid and antibiotic-based preparations.
It is strictly forbidden to pick or squeeze pimples. It is necessary to consult a dermatologist to accurately determine the cause of their appearance. If necessary, the doctor will open the blocked gland with special sterile instruments.
You can treat acne with decoctions of chamomile or calendula, which have a pronounced antibacterial and softening effect.

In case of allergic rashes, it is necessary to identify the allergen, remove its exposure and, if necessary, undergo a course of treatment with antihistamines.