When the areola is raised and puffy this is usually due to excess tissue in the areola area which can often be hereditary or a result of hormonal changes during puberty. It is also a sign of raised hormone levels which occur in pregnancy or simply during your monthly menstrual cycle.
All women, and men, have hair follicles on the areola and hair can vary in colour, thickness, and texture for each.
Hair can be influenced by ethnicity, and sometimes pregnant women notice hairs darkening, thickening or growing and all of this is completely normal. But be sure to watch out for any sudden, unexpected changes in the nipple position for example if they appear to be sunken or turning inwards.
Lumps or bumps in the nipple, or breast and armpits, of any shape or size should be checked out by a doctor. Additionally, if one of the nipples suddenly becomes inverted, book an appointment with your GP as it could be a sign of cancer. According to the NHS, 90 per cent of lumps in the breasts aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor.
Also, a person may notice differences in the appearance of each of their nipples. This is normal, and just another example of how each person is unique. If the nipples are very large, inverted, or flat, a baby may have more difficulty latching onto them while breastfeeding.
A medical professional can offer advice and help develop techniques to encourage the baby to latch on. Protruding nipples : Protruding nipples stick out from the areola.
The amount that the nipples protrude varies among people. They may protrude when they are stimulated by cold or sexual arousal, or they may stay inverted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , certain nipple-related changes can be warning symptoms of breast cancer:.
According to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center , these additional nipples usually appear along the embryonic milk lines, which are areas of the body that are more likely to develop breast tissue. Most of the time, a person does not need treatment for a supernumerary nipple. But, as with any nipple, if it is painful or if a person notices any changes, they should speak to a medical professional. A person with athelia may choose to have cosmetic surgery to give them the appearance of nipples.
In some cases, this may involve reconstruction with skin grafts from another area of the body, such as the thighs. A baby is having difficulty latching on during breastfeeding, the OWH recommend trying to:. During pregnancy, the nipples and areola may become darker due to hormonal changes. It contains antibodies that help protect a newborn from infections.
The OWH recommend reducing any pain by keeping the nipples moist — either with breast milk or breastfeeding creams — and changing the way a baby latches onto the nipple.
There is very little cosmetic difference between male and female nipples. There can be significant variation from one person to the next, however. If they are painful, or if a person notices any changes, they should speak to a medical professional, as these symptoms can indicate an underlying issue. Nipples vary significantly from one person to another, and one person may have nipples of different types. All of these variations are normal. For mild inversion, some self-retraction devices and vacuum approaches have been used.
The results, however, are often modest at best and are not usually a long-term solution. Plastic surgery can be done to reverse inverted nipples. A number of different procedures have been used. If you're thinking about this, find a plastic surgeon who has experience in treating nipple inversion. Ask if you can see before-and-after pictures of other women who've had the procedure done. You may want to get a second opinion as well. Flat nipples are not raised.
They appear to lay even with the areola, and with the skin on the rest of your breast. They don't respond to cold or arousal. Many women have nipples that appear flat most of the time, but then become erect when they're exposed to cold temperature or sexual stimulation. These are not truly flat nipples. Women with flat nipples who plan to breastfeed should not have any issues, as their nipples will likely protrude outward during pregnancy.
If women with flat nipples don't like how they look, they can try the same remedies that are used to reverse inverted nipples. When your nipple starts out as raised tissue but begins to pull inward, change position, or fold itself into a narrow crease, it's called an acquired retracted nipple. A retracted nipple, unlike an inverted nipple, will not come back out when stimulated. Nipple retraction may be caused by aging, duct ectasia when milk ducts become swollen and clogged , or breast cancer.
A mammogram. There are hair follicles surrounding your nipples, so it's normal to have at least a little hair around them. And yes, it's safe to remove unwanted hair by tweezing, waxing, shaving, or getting laser treatments. If there is a lot of hair growth, you're also seeing hair growth in other areas like your face a conditin known as hirsutism , or you also have other symptoms like irregular periods, acne, and obesity, see your healthcare provider.
These can be signs of an underlying problem like polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS , a common medical condition caused by hormonal imbalance, or Cushing's syndrome , a disorder that occurs when the body is exposed to too much of the stress hormone cortisol. Hairy nipples alone are usually no cause for concern.
If they are related to a more serious condition, other signs and symptoms will usually be present. Most people have "common" nipples that stick out, although their appearance can vary widely. Others may have flat or even inverted nipples that are tucked below the skin. In most cases, this is perfectly normal. When nipples change, though, it can be an early sign of cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider if you see new nipple inversion or retraction, especially if it's only one nipple that changes.
Nipples, like the rest of our bodies, change as we grow and age. It's important that you are familiar with your nipples, so you have a sense of what's normal for you and can report changes. It's easy to remember to check for changes in your nipples when doing a monthly breast self-examination. It's important to tell your healthcare provider if you see physical changes, such as a nipple turned inward or a sore in the nipple area.
Keep an eye out, too, for discharge that occurs suddenly, is bloody, or occurs in only one nipple. These can be signs of breast cancer. The areola is the area of darkened skin surrounding the nipple.
Depending on the person's skin tone, it may be pink to brown in color. The areola has glands that lubricate the nipple to help with breastfeeding. Mild cases of inverted nipples can be reversed without surgery, but these methods usually only work temporarily. It can be done using self-retraction devices, but it's recommended to read about any potential risks of these methods before their use. Unwanted hair around the nipples can be removed by shaving, tweezing, waxing, or laser removal treatment.
During pregnancy, the nipples will likely protrude outward, making the process easier. Some women use a special plastic device to bring out the nipple and allow for easier breastfeeding. The benefits of this technique haven't yet been proven, though. Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox. Walker M.
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