What To Know About Those Small Bumps on Your Areola (2024)

The Montgomery glands (orMontgomery tubercles)are small glands aroundthe nippleson theareola. These glands are typically not noticeable until a person becomes pregnant. As the breasts grow and change during pregnancy to prepare forlactation, the Montgomery glands also get larger. They begin to erupt and may look like pimples on the nipple and areola.

The number of visible bumps on the areola is different for each pregnant person. Each areola can have anywhere from zero to approximately 40 tubercles, with an average of about 10 to 15 on each side. There are often more in the upper outer part of the areola. Thesize of the areoladoesn't affect the number of glands there are.

Learn more about Montgomery glands, including why you have them, how to care for them, and when to contact your doctor.

What Montgomery Glands Do

The Montgomery glands are a combination of milk glands and sebaceous glands. They can release a small amount ofbreast milk, but they mostly produce a natural, oily substance that cleans and lubricates the nipple and areola.Thisoily substance contains antibacterial properties that helps to protectthebreasts from infectionby preventing the growth of microorganisms and germs. It also provides a natural moisturizer for your nipples.

The areolar glands arebelieved to play an important role ingetting breastfeeding off to a good start, attachment, and bonding. They give off a scent that can help the newborn find the nipple and encourage the baby tolatch onand breastfeed immediately after birth. The odor is also thought to promote parent-newborn recognition and bonding.

Studies show that the babies of breastfeeding parents who have more areolar glands find the breast and begin breastfeeding faster than those with parents who have fewer areolar glands. More Montgomery glands are also associated with better newborn growth.

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How To Care for Montgomery Glands

The Montgomery glands don't typically require special care, but there are some things to avoid, especially when breastfeeding or chestfeeding:

  • Avoid harsh soaps. If your nipples and areola are soft and healthy, leave the Montgomery glands alone. Wash your breasts with warm water and avoid soaps that can wash away the protective substance secreted by your Montgomery glands.
  • Avoid popping.Even though these glands may look like pimples, they are not. Don't try topop them as this could cause harm.
  • Don't treat with acne medication. Not only can acne medication dry out your areola, but many acne treatments may be dangerous for your baby and harmful to your skin. Avoid them while you're pregnant and breastfeeding.
  • Don't usenipple creams, lotions, or ointments to prevent potential problems. These products are only necessary if you have sore, cracked nipples or an infection. Some nipple creams can even make the problems worse.

If you have any concerns about your Montgomery glands or are experiencing a breast or nipple issue, talk to your health care provider about the best way to treat the problem.

Signs of Montgomery Gland Infection

Even though the Montgomery glands help to kill germs and keep the areola clean, they cannot completely preventbreast problems. It's still possible for the areolar glands to become irritated and infected. This is more likely if your nipples and areola become cracked and damaged.

Itis important to check your breasts regularly. When you know what's normal for you, it will be easier to recognize when something looks different.

For example, you can expect raised Montgomery glands during pregnancy and breastfeeding or chestfeeding. But if you notice that they or any part of the breast becomes red, swollen (larger than they were), and painful, or you get a fever, you should contact your doctor for anexamination and treatment. These are signs of an infection such as nipple thrush and mastitis.

Montgomery Gland Removal

Montgomery glands are a healthy part of your breast anatomy. Once your baby is born, and breastfeeding has ended, those little bumps may shrink back down on their own.Or they may stay a bit bumpy, which is perfectly normal.

If desired, a minor surgery can remove the Montgomery glands. Your provider will make an incision to remove the bumps. This procedure should not interfere with your ability to breastfeed in the future. Surgery to remove Montgomery glands doesn't affect your breast tissue ormilk ducts.

What To Know About Those Small Bumps on Your Areola (2024)

FAQs

What To Know About Those Small Bumps on Your Areola? ›

Montgomery's tubercles are types of oil-producing glands people have on their areolae. They appear as small bumps. Doctors consider Montgomery's glands protective because they produce oil that keeps nipples soft and protects against infection, which is especially beneficial during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Why am I getting little bumps on my areola? ›

Montgomery tubercles are small bumps around your nipples and are completely normal. They are most common during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as around puberty and throughout the menstrual cycle. Still, people can develop them for several reasons. Montgomery tubercles shouldn't hurt.

Why are my Montgomery glands showing? ›

These are usually quite normal and nothing to worry about. Areolar glands can become more pronounced as a result of non pregnancy-related causes, such as: Hormonal changes due to your menstrual cycle, contraceptive pill, pre-menopause or menopause. Hormonal imbalances due to stress.

How to make Montgomery glands go away? ›

The tubercles will usually shrink or disappear completely on their own following pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you aren't pregnant or breastfeeding and want the tubercles removed, your doctor may recommend surgery. This is a cosmetic option, and may be recommended if they are causing pain or inflammation.

What is the small pea sized lump in my areola? ›

A lump on the areola, or area around the nipple, can have numerous possible causes. A lump can be a local infection, a breast hematoma, sebaceous hyperplasia, or Paget's disease of the nipple.

What do healthy nipples look like? ›

Just like with breasts, there's no one way that nipples are supposed to look. Both nipples and areolas (the circular skin around your nipple) come in different sizes and colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually relates to your skin color.

What does a cyst on the areola look like? ›

Signs and symptoms of a breast cyst include: A smooth, easily movable round or oval lump that may have smooth edges — which typically, though not always, indicates it's benign. Nipple discharge that may be clear, yellow, straw colored or dark brown. Breast pain or tenderness in the area of the breast lump.

Do Montgomery glands smell? ›

Named after Irish obstetrician William Fetherstone Montgomery,2 the Montgomery tubercles — sebaceous glands found on the breasts, emit an aroma which attracts new-born infants to their mother's breasts and entices them to breastfeed.

Why do I have white stuff in my nipples but not pregnant? ›

Hormonal causes

Galactorrhoea is milky nipple discharge not related to pregnancy or breast feeding. It is caused by the abnormal production of a hormone called prolactin. This can be caused by diseases of glands elsewhere in the body which control hormone secretion, such as the pituitary and thyroid glands.

What is Paget's disease of the breast? ›

Paget's disease of the nipple, also known as Paget's disease of the breast, is a rare condition associated with breast cancer. It causes eczema-like changes to the skin of the nipple and the area of darker skin surrounding the nipple (areola). It's usually a sign of breast cancer in the tissue behind the nipple.

Why do I have little black dots on my breasts? ›

Answer. If the black dot is a mole or birth mark that you have had for a long time, then this is probably just normal for you. However, a mole that is new, growing, or changing in color needs to be checked by a doctor. If the black dot is more like a pimple, it should go away by itself soon.

What is secondary areola? ›

Nearly after the third month colostrum, which is a thick yellowish fluid, can be expressed from the nipples. During the fifth month, a pigmented area appears around the primary areola called secondary areola.

How to reduce areola size? ›

Areola reduction surgery is performed by removing a circular area of the outer brown area of the areola. The skin surrounding this is then brought inwards in a purse string fashion to surround the areola. Absorbable stitches inside the areola are used to reduce the diameter.

Can Montgomery glands pop? ›

Wash your breasts with warm water and avoid soaps that can wash away the protective substance secreted by your Montgomery glands. Avoid popping. Even though these glands may look like pimples, they are not. Don't try to pop them as this could cause harm.

Why do I have little bumps on my areola? ›

The bumps on the areola are known as 'Montgomery glands'. Montgomery glands are not visible until you are aroused or pregnant. During pregnancy, as breasts increase in size for breastfeeding, the Montgomery glands also swell. They look like small bumps or pimples on the nipple or areola.

What is a Montgomery gland cyst? ›

Montgomery cysts occur when the glands of Montgomery, located along the areola, become obstructed. It is estimated that up to 60% of patients with Montgomery cysts present with painful inflammation, and the remaining patients present with a painless, retroareolar mass.

Can you get milk blebs when not pregnant? ›

Montgomery glands can become filled with a waxy substance. The gland then resembles a pimple with a white or yellowish head. These spots are known as Montgomery tubercles. Women do not have to be pregnant or breast-feeding for this to occur.

What is a wart like growth on the areola? ›

Intraductal papilloma is a benign (not cancer) breast condition where a wart-like lump develops in 1 or more of the milk ducts in the breast. It's usually close to the nipple, but it can be found anywhere in the breast. You may have a single intraductal papilloma.

Why are my nipples crusty not pregnant? ›

Eczema or dermatitis which affects the skin of the nipple, particularly if it becomes infected, can cause a weeping, crusty nipple discharge. The treatment is the same as for eczema elsewhere on the body; with cortisone-based creams the main first-line treatment.

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