Montgomery tubercles are vestigial glands that are found on the surface of the areola. Their standard number is from 4 to 28 pieces. By themselves, these pimples do not pose a health hazard. Most often they appear during pregnancy and breastfeeding, less often during puberty. Montgomery's nodules indicate health problems if their appearance is not associated with natural processes in the body.
The role and functions of the Montgomery tubercles
On the outside, Montgomery's glands look like small nipples surrounding a large nipple. The appearance is clearly demonstrated in the photo. At the top of each tubercle there is an excretory duct connected to the gland itself, located under the layer of skin. This duct is invisible to the naked eye.
The gland produces a special secretion. It is a clear lipoid liquid (may have a slight whitish tint). The substance is an antiseptic and has bactericidal properties. The secretion maintains the acid-base balance on the surface of the pigmented area around the nipples. In medical practice, there are cases where colostrum was released from the duct.
The exact significance of the gland has not yet been established. This is due to the fact that the reasons for the appearance of tubercles are controversial. There is a version that claims that these are sebaceous glands that have undergone some changes, and their main purpose is to protect the skin and nipples from drying out and exposure to pathogenic bacteria.
Another version says that the tubercles are rudiments of the mammary glands. According to the third, this is nothing more than a kind of “bridge” between the sebaceous and mammary glands. Professor Benoit Schaal suggested that the secretion produced by this organ has a specific odor that stimulates the baby’s appetite.
Medical research has established a connection between the bumps and the amount of breast milk produced. The more such seals on the chest, the more nutrition the newborn receives, the better and faster it develops.
Prevention measures
Proper treatment of nipple acne can quickly eliminate the problem. However, it is much easier to prevent the appearance of formations.
For prevention, the following methods must be followed:
- choose high-quality linen made from natural fabric;
- shower regularly;
- saturate the body with useful vitamins and minerals;
- use scrubs regularly;
- avoid damage to the skin;
- wear clothes that fit.
When acne appears on the chest, it is forbidden to squeeze or tear off the formations. There is a possibility of infection and complications.
The appearance of any type of formation on the chest requires a detailed examination. Self-treatment can have a negative impact on your health and lead to complications. It is also not recommended to use medications on your own without consulting a specialist.
Montgomery glands during menstruation
The process of puberty is accompanied by hormonal changes. The tubercles first become noticeable when the mammary glands are actively developing and take on an “adult” appearance. If such lumps become noticeable in a girl, it means that the process of egg formation has begun in her body; the uterus and ovaries are ready for conception. The glands are influenced by the same hormones (FSH and LH) as the reproductive organs, so the tubercles are especially noticeable during the menstrual cycle (during the formation period).
While the maturation period lasts, the glands protrude especially. This is due to hormonal activity. But after menstruation is established and the hormonal levels return to normal, the tubercles become almost invisible. In the future, until the moment of conception, they should not change. Before menstruation, the glands remain invisible.
If on critical days they swell or thicken, this indicates either a disruption in the production of hormones, or the individual characteristics of the body . In this case, the girl should have her mammary glands and thyroid gland examined. If the lumps are clearly visible without pregnancy and this is not related to hormones or the specifics of the body, then this is a sign of a pathological process developing in the mammary gland.
Types of rashes in the décolleté area
Pimples on the sternum in women differ in shape, size, color and abundance:
- White. These are small wen, the cause of which is blockage of the sebaceous glands with subcutaneous fat. May be associated with metabolic disorders, the use of poor cosmetics or improper hygiene.
- Red pimples. Associated with the inflammatory process, which can be caused by kidney disease, colds, poor hygiene and a number of other factors.
- Purulent acne. Most often they develop as the next stage of red rashes. Purulent formations often indicate a critical condition of the body.
- Small itchy rashes. The vast majority of cases are associated with an allergic reaction, inflammation of the follicle or lack of nutrients.
- Black dots. Often accompanied by profuse rashes not only on the chest, but also on the back. The reason for such acne on a girl’s shoulders and sternum is the blockage of pores with dead cells. It can be caused by hormonal imbalances and metabolic problems.
Montgomery tubercles during pregnancy
Active growth of tubercles begins in the early stages. The secretion becomes intense. There are several reasons for this:
- the lipid layer increases (fats are necessary for the full development of the fetus);
- the embryo develops, hormonal levels change;
- Mammary gland cells are actively dividing, preparing for lactation.
The Montgomery tubercles perform important functions during pregnancy. They produce sebum, which is brought to the surface through ducts. Fat nourishes and moisturizes the skin of the pigmented area and nipples, and protects this delicate organ from cracks. This is one of the “events” that the female body “arranges” when preparing for breastfeeding.
Since the secretion has antiseptic properties, the liquid produced by the glands also serves as protection against infections. Any illness during this period can negatively affect the health of the unborn child, so such protection is very important.
The glands may become noticeable in the first days after conception, this is a sign that the woman is pregnant. At this time, the nipples and the area around them darken slightly, and the color of the nodules is slightly more intense than the color of the skin. This is normal pigmentation. If the areola becomes red, the nodules hurt and cause discomfort, then this is a sign of an inflammatory process.
The tubercles do not require special care. It is enough to follow standard hygiene rules and wear clean, comfortable underwear. It is not recommended to use soap when washing, because its components are aggressive and destroy the protective barrier created by the secretion of the glands.
How to care for your breasts during pregnancy
To maintain breast health during pregnancy and lactation, it is important for a woman to know how to properly care for the mammary glands during this important period of life.
Choose comfortable underwear. During pregnancy, your bust may become heavier by up to a kilogram, so your usual bra will have to be replaced for a certain time with a special one, with wide straps and without wires. It will ensure the correct position of heavy breasts and will not compress the milk ducts during lactation.
When the milk in the breast begins to arrive, the young mother’s clothes may become soaked through with it. At this time, it is necessary to strictly observe breast hygiene - this is of great importance not only for the newborn, but also for the health of the woman herself. To do this, special pads are placed in the bra cups, which will protect the mammary glands from possible infection and clothes from wet spots.
During hygienic water procedures, the breasts can be rinsed with water at room temperature and lightly massaged in a circular motion. It is useful to pour cool water over your nipples. During pregnancy, the skin of the mammary glands in most cases becomes excessively dry. To avoid adding fuel to the fire, avoid taking hot showers and avoid soap. A warm, relaxing shower with a moisturizing gel is most suitable for pregnant women. After a shower, a nourishing cream is applied to the skin of the body, and problem areas (chest, stomach, buttocks) can be pampered with a special remedy for stretch marks.
There is a special massage to prepare the breasts for feeding the baby. Before performing it, the expectant mother should discuss this issue with her gynecologist, since nipple stimulation is not indicated for all pregnant women. The complex system of nerve impulses of the uterus and breasts is closely interconnected, and massage of the nipples can cause contractions of the uterus. And this, as you understand, with a high risk of miscarriage and a number of other problems, is extremely undesirable. The doctor will decide whether nipple massage will harm you and explain how to do it.
Do not forget about cosmetics during an “interesting” situation. Every woman wants her breasts to remain firm and attractive for as long as possible, but this cannot be achieved without regular additional hydration. Necessary care is unthinkable without cosmetic series produced specifically for expectant mothers. The shelves of pharmacies are full of a variety of cosmetics, so that every woman can choose what suits her personal needs: Baby Teva, Nasha Mama, Mustela, Chicco. By the way, these products can be used to care for your breasts after childbirth, during breastfeeding - such cosmetics will always come in handy. Products that care for nipples and breast skin do not cause allergic reactions and are absolutely safe for the child.
Pregnancy does not always bring only positive emotions to a woman. While expecting a baby, the skin of the expectant mother may become covered with unattractive red, bluish or bright pink stripes - stretch marks, better known as stretch marks. The tendency of a pregnant woman to develop this problem is inherent at the genetic level, but the main prerequisite for the appearance of the defect is inelastic and dry skin, in which fibers tear very easily at the microscopic level, and in their place scars are formed that appear on the surface of the skin in the form of rough stripes. What can you do to maintain the beauty of your skin? Buy a quality stretch mark cream and eat right. Nuts, seafood, citrus fruits, milk and eggs - products that increase skin elasticity should always be in your diet.
Pregnancy is an exciting journey that ends with a long-awaited meeting with your baby. Sometimes amazing metamorphoses in one’s own body (an increase in Montgomery tubercles on the chest, the appearance of profuse leucorrhoea, toxicosis) confuse the expectant mother and make her feel a sense of self-doubt, but this approach cannot be called correct. If you have any questions that concern you, you should immediately contact your doctor: it’s better to ask once than to get lost in guesses and assumptions.
Inflammation of the Montgomery tubercles
The inflammatory process develops due to diseases. Abnormal causes include:
- Furuncle. Appears due to injury.
- Acne and atheroma. Due to the deterioration of the sebaceous glands, the ducts become clogged and the secretion does not come out. White pimples filled with pus form.
- Paget's syndrome. There is a malignant mole on the chest, which causes the development of a cancerous tumor. In the area of the neoplasm, the nodules are enlarged and inflamed.
- Eczema. Characterized by the appearance of warts. It occurs due to problems with the endocrine system, wearing synthetics, and stress.
- Allergy. The area around the nipples is dotted with a small red rash. There is pain and burning.
The most common cause of inflammation is blocked ducts. Sometimes women begin to squeeze juice out of the nodules, thereby damaging their surface and creating conditions for pathogens to penetrate inside.
Symptoms of the development of the pathological process are an increase in the size of the nodules, a change in their pigmentation, and the release of pus or foul-smelling fluid from the ducts. The process may be accompanied by the appearance of cracks and an increase in temperature. There may be pain that intensifies with palpation.
Ignoring these signs is dangerous, especially during pregnancy. During this period, the female body is weakened and susceptible to infections, and therefore the disease can develop further and harm the health of the expectant mother and child. Non-pregnant women may also develop breast diseases. Sometimes inflammation is a symptom of cancer, and diagnosing cancer at an advanced stage can cost the patient his life.
Self-medication is strictly prohibited. Do not squeeze out, cauterize or heat the nodules. It is necessary to treat the inflamed surface with an antiseptic and consult a medical specialist.
Are nipple pimples treated?
Despite the commonality of the phenomenon, women still have a question about when the condition of Montgomery's tubercles is normal and when they need to see a doctor.
Continuing the topic of bumps on the nipples: what they are, we’ll talk about when the appearance of the bumps is a cause for concern and subsequent consultation with a doctor, this is:
- Redness of the skin around the nipples and a reddish tone of the tubercles themselves;
- Swelling around the nipple area and an increase in the size of the tubercles;
- The appearance of discomfort in the nipple area and painful touching of the tubercles;
- Discharge from the tubercles.
All these are signs of serious diseases that should be treated by a doctor. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can take the necessary measures to treat the disease.
It is not recommended to self-medicate and use any medications, as well as traditional methods of treatment.
If it is not possible to see a doctor in the coming days, and the tubercles have turned into purulent formations, treat them with chlorhexidine or miramistin, and then seek medical help.
Treatment of Montgomery tubercles
The therapeutic course is selected after the diagnosis is established. Local anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs must be prescribed. These are creams (Levomekol, Nise gel), hydrogen peroxide, injection solutions (Cefepime, Ceftriaxone).
In non-pregnant women, adverse reactions are less common; expectant mothers are prescribed gentle treatment. The medication is taken under the supervision of a doctor. Potent medications are replaced with physiotherapy, homeopathy, and herbal medicine.
If an allergic reaction is detected, antihistamines are used and ensure there is no contact with the allergen. In any case, vitamin complexes are prescribed to restore health.
Removal through surgical treatment is used if, after the breastfeeding period has ended, the tubercles have not disappeared and look unaesthetic. This is a cosmetic surgery and is relatively safe. After the procedure, barely noticeable light traces remain. The secretion production function is restored.
