Cancer Breast Cancer Symptoms Nipple Color and Other Changes What's normal—and what's not By Serenity Mirabito RN, OCN Serenity Mirabito RN, OCN Serenity Mirabito, MSN, RN, OCN, is a published oncology nurse writer who advocates for those surviving and thriving with cancer. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 24, 2022 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Color Size Texture Bumps Hair Growth Discharge Pain Flattening/Inversion Frequently Asked Questions Nipples color can temporarily change due to things like normal hormonal shifts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The same goes for nipple size and texture. Permanent changes of the nipple can also occur and are often seen with breast surgeries, weight loss, and aging. While these are usually no cause for concern, there are some nipple color and other changes that can indicate an underlying condition that needs evaluating. Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health This article discusses the normal and abnormal variations of nipple color, size, and more. Changes in the areola—the dark skin around the nipple—are also discussed. While suggestions on when you should absolutely see a healthcare provider about nipple changes, remember that anything out of the norm for you is worth bringing to your practitioners attention. Nipple Color It is normal for your nipple color and areola color to be a little different. The areola is often darker than the nipple itself. Depending on your skin tone, the color can range from pale pink to dark brown. Your nipples/areolas can change color because of: Hormonal changes (menstrual cycle and menopause)Breast surgeryPregnancyBreastfeeding Nipple color will return closer to normal as hormones normalize and after pregnancy. See a healthcare provider about nipple changes immediately if: The nipple turns red or purpleThe color change is accompanied by itching or drainage Nipple Size Nipples and areolas vary in size. The areola is usually between 3 centimeters and 6 centimeters (1.2 inches to 2.4 inches) across. It's normal for nipples and areolas to change in size during: PubertyCertain stages of your menstrual cyclePregnancyBreastfeeding See a healthcare provider about nipple size changes if: You notice changed to one nipple/areola, as opposed to both Nipple Texture 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. They may look like bumpy, white dots. Eczema, a treatable skin rash, can change the texture of the areola. See a healthcare provider about nipple texture if you notice: Changes in your normal nipple/areola texture, such as an orange peel feelingUlcerationsSkin thickeningRedness, warmth, and/or swelling and/or swelling While a skin condition may be at play, serious conditions like inflammatory breast cancer or Paget's disease of the nipple are also possibilities. Bumps on the Nipples Your nipples normally become erect when touched or exposed to the cold. The areolas may become more firm as well. During pregnancy, Montgomery glands enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding. As a result, they can become clogged, resulting in an infection. Clogged Montgomery glands can be treated with antibiotics and home remedies. See a healthcare provider about nipple size changes if: You have bumps on the nipples/areola and are not pregnantYou develop any new lumps or bumps, especially if they are firm and not moveable Areola Hair It's normal to have a few hairs on your areolas. More hair than that can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal imbalance (when there are more androgen hormones than typical) that can cause infertility. See a healthcare provider about areola hair if: You notice an increase in hair growth on your breasts You notice areola hair growth along with other symptoms of PCOS, including weight gain, irregular periods, and acne Nipple Discharge 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: MilkyClearYellowGreenBrownBloody 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. Sometimes, certain stages of the menstrual cycle can cause discharge. Other causes of nipple discharge include: Mammary duct ectasia: Clogged or swollen milk ducts Galactorrhea: Discharge that is similar to breastmilk but occurs when not lactating Intraductal papilloma: Benign tumors called fibroadenomas See a healthcare provider about nipple discharge if: The discharge happens spontaneouslyThe discharge is bloody or clearThe fluid only comes out of one nippleYou have other symptoms like a lump, nipple pain, or changes in skin texture Though there are other possibilities, these are all signs that the nipple discharge is more likely to be related to breast cancer. What Type of Nipple Discharge Do You Have? Nipple Pain 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. A 2018 study estimated that 80% to 90% of people who breastfeed experience sore nipples at some point. Several benign and treatable conditions associated with nipple pain include: Mastitis (a breast infection) Yeast infection of the nipple Eczema Raynaud's phenomenon can cause nipple vasoconstriction, resulting in episodes of pain, burning, and/or tingling. This can occur with: BreastfeedingExposure to the coldNipple trauma In rare cases, nipple pain is a symptom of breast cancer, particularly Paget's disease of the nipple. See a healthcare provider about nipple pain if you have: Persistent nipple tendernessItchinessPain without an obvious cause Causes of Nipple Pain Inverted Nipples Nipple variations are usually something people are born with. 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. See a healthcare provider about inverted nipples if: Your nipples used to stick out and have suddenly become flattenedYou suddenly have an inverted nipple on just one side In some cases, this can be a sign of breast cancer. Types of Nipples Summary 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. Frequently Asked Questions What hormone causes nipple changes? Estrogens are responsible for nipple, areola, and breast changes. When should your nipples be fully developed? 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. Learn More: Breast Anatomy 13 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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 De Sanctis V, Elhakim IZ, Soliman AT, Elsedfy H, Soliman N, Elalaily R. Cross-sectional observational study of nipple and areola changes during pubertal development and after menarche in 313 Italian girls. Acta Biomed. 2016;87(2):177-183. Cleveland Clinic. If you have breast pain, should you worry? 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 American Cancer Society. Intraductal papillomas of the breast. 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 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 American Cancer Society. Breast cancer signs and symptoms. Additional Reading 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;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;34(2):119-126. doi:10.4274/balkanmedj.2016.0184 By Serenity Mirabito RN, OCN Serenity Mirabito, MSN, RN, OCN, advocates for well-being, even in the midst of illness. She believes in arming her readers with the most current and trustworthy information leading to fully informed decision making. Originally written by Pam Stephan Pam Stephan Pam Stephan is a breast cancer survivor. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit