Why do areolas get bigger

Another common cause of nipple pain is breastfeeding, which can cause nipple skin to become raw, cracked, and bleeding. Several benign, treatable conditions associated with nipple pain include mastitis an infection of breast tissue , a yeast infection in the nipple, or eczema. Between episodes, the nipples are normal and there are no symptoms. Rarely, nipple pain can be a symptom of breast cancer, particularly Paget's disease of the nipple.

If you have persistent nipple tenderness, itchiness, or pain that does not have an obvious cause, you should talk to your healthcare provider a call. Some people's nipples are more sensitive than others' and may become irritated by certain laundry detergents or fabrics. For example, females who run long distances are more likely to experience nipple pain.

And females who jog are prone to "jogger's nipple," in which the nipples are irritated when the fabric of a bra or shirt rubs against them, causing chafing and a burning sensation.

Wearing a snug-fitting jogging bra or putting bandages over your nipples can help. Choose bras made of soft fabrics or padding for your everyday bras and use a mild, scent-free detergent to wash your clothing and bedding. Nipple variations , such as inverted nipples and retracted nipples are usually something you are born with. Inverted nipples appear sunken or indented, rather than raised above the surface of the areola.

Nipple inversion can occur as part of the normal aging process and is usually equal on both sides. But if you were born with nipples that stuck out and have since become flattened, you should talk to your healthcare provider, especially if the change only affects one side. Retracted nipples have a slit-like area that is pulled inward.

Retracted nipples may appear at birth, or develop gradually over time. A retracted nipple on one side or a retracted nipple that develops quickly should be checked out. In some cases, this can be a sign of breast cancer.

Females with inverted or retracted nipples may find it difficult to breastfeed. Typically, a baby's mouth will "latch" firmly onto the protruding nipple and part of the areola in order to stimulate milk production. There are techniques and devices such as pumps to pull the nipple out that can help you breastfeed with inverted nipples.

You may also want to see a lactation consultant. Some females and males have an extra nipple, also called a supernumerary nipple or polythelia. Polythelia is estimated to affect around 0.

Extra nipples are usually small, located under the breast line, and may not be noticed at all until hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy affect breast tissue. Supernumerary nipples are benign and do not require treatment or removal. The areola often enlarges or swells as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you notice a change in the areola of one breast only, or are concerned for any reason, it is best to give your healthcare provider a call. Montgomery's glands tend to enlarge during pregnancy and lactation, but go back to their normal size once you have stopped breastfeeding your baby.

You should never ignore changes of the nipple—especially when the changes only affect one side. If you are at all concerned, mention it to your healthcare provider.

More likely than not, the change is due to a benign condition. If it is something more worrisome, it's always best to have it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox. Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts. Gland Surg. Association of the nipple-areola complexes with age, parity, and breastfeeding in Korean premenopausal women. J Hum Lact. Cleveland Clinic. If you have breast pain, should you worry? National Cancer Institute. In this article, learn about the causes of itchy nipples and…. Are large areolas normal? Areola size Breastfeeding Menstruation Areola reduction Summary The areola is the darker area of skin that surrounds the nipple.

Areola size. Share on Pinterest Areolas may change in size and color over time. Areola reduction. Share on Pinterest A person should consult a doctor if they want to reduce the size of their areolas. Latest news Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3.

Medical Myths: All about lung cancer. Related Coverage. What you should know about tubular breasts. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. What to know about inverted nipples.

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Common nipple problems and their causes. Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, P. What causes dark nipples? If you have any of these additional symptoms, visit your doctor to get your hormone levels checked out.

Some people notice that their areolae gets puffy or raised. This is most common during puberty and pregnancy, but can also happen at other times during your life.

This is completely normal and is not indicative of anything worrisome. If you notice that your itching persists even after you change your detergents and moisturize, ask your doctor about it. Certain skin cancers include itchy skin in their symptoms, although in these cases you would also have more visible signs such as flaky or scaly skin. All skin has the potential to get dry and flaky, and areola skin is not exempt from this situation.

Peeling or flaking areola skin could be due to weather changes, if you were suntanning topless and got a sunburn, or if you had a sexy romp that included rough nipple play and your nipples and areolae got chafed. If you notice that your areola or nipple skin is flaking or peeling, and particularly if this is happening to just one areola or nipple, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Eczema runs in families, so look for this in particular if you know someone else in your family has it. These skin changes could also be a sign of skin cancer.

Gersh tells Bustle. Another reason for areola bumps is Montgomery tubercles, which is the technical name for when your areolar or Montgomery glands get clogged. Clogged Montgomery glands can get sore, change color to be red or yellow, and grow in size a bit. While Montgomery tubercles show up mostly during pregnancy, they can also be triggered by hormone imbalance or stress, as well as physical changes such as significant weight change. This can happen in particular right before menstruation.

Most areola pimples are not a medical issue and will go away if you clean the area with warm water and a gentle non-perfumed, chemical-heavy cleanser. These are some of the creative items people have used to describe the size of the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple , aka the areola. Everyone with nipples has areola — it just comes with the territory.

But why are some people in the quarter size range while others are much larger? The not shocking truth is that everyone's nipples are a different size , and that's perfectly fine. That means, in terms of size and shape, there's a very wide range of what is "normal" for areola.