Acne on the chest and nipples in women: why they appear, how to remove and cure them

Acne on the mammary glands in women: causes
The main causes of acne in women on the breast
Treatment of acne in women on the breast
Other remedies for treating breast acne

The appearance of breast acne is quite common for many women. Understanding what causes breast acne, how to prevent breast acne and how to treat acne should help cure this acne condition or at least keep it at a manageable level.

Causes of acne on the chest and nipples

Why do acne appear on the chest, what factors contribute to its development? Medicine identifies several common causes of this unpleasant phenomenon:

Cause	Why do they appear?
Blockage of sebaceous and sweat glands	The formation of numerous white pimples on the chest indicates blockage of the sebaceous and other ducts due to insufficient skin care or excessive production of fatty substances.
Allergy	Individual intolerance by the body to some perfume or cosmetic product is often manifested by the appearance of acne on the chest, nipples and other parts of the body.
Incorrect thermoregulation of breast skin	Poor ventilation of the skin of the mammary glands occurs when wearing a tight bra, especially if it is made of synthetics. If there is insufficient air supply, red pimples appear on and under the chest.
Endometriosis, hormonal abnormalities in the reproductive system	For some women and girls, acne may appear before menstruation. As a rule, they disappear on their own after its completion.
Hormonal disorders	In approximately 1/3 of situations, acne on the papillae is caused by a hormone imbalance. Hormonal instability often disrupts the secretion of sebaceous substances and local immunity. Rashes that appear against the background of hormone deviations provoked by physiological processes in the body, such as puberty, pregnancy or breastfeeding, go away on their own after childbirth or completion of lactation.
Gastrointestinal diseases	If acne near or on the nipple is caused by gastrointestinal diseases, then in this situation characteristic symptoms appear: - diarrhea; - constipation; - heartburn; - stomach ache; - increased flatulence.
Uncompensated diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency	The presence of these pathologies can lead to acne on the mammary glands and nipples.
Drug and food allergies	Individual intolerance of the body to certain medications or foods is a common cause of the development of pimples.
Cold	Often, acne on the nipples and chest is a side effect of a previous cold.
Insufficient breast hygiene	Sometimes acne or pimples appear due to failure to comply with basic hygiene procedures.
Stress	In stressful situations, a rash in the form of acne forms not only on the chest, but also on the back (along the spine), neck, and shoulders.

How to treat rashes?

Since the causes of rashes are many and varied, there is no single way to get rid of them. But we can generalize them by highlighting the main areas of therapy:

Infectious diseases. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor! For smallpox, the rashes are dried point by point; for lichen, special creams are used. Follow your doctor's recommendations and don't figure out how to remove the rash on your own.
Allergic reactions disappear when contact with the irritant stops. You can alleviate the condition with soothing creams, cucumber masks, lotions and compresses from herbal decoctions.
In case of hormonal imbalances, the rashes will not disappear until the hormonal levels return to normal. During the period of drug treatment, avoid stress and spot-dry inflamed pimples with alcohol solutions or essential oils that have a disinfecting effect.
Rashes that appear as a result of improper hygiene are eliminated as follows: steam blackheads and non-inflamed acne (you can do it in a bath), cleanse the skin, and nourish it. We dry inflamed pimples point by point, if there are only a few of them. We apply compresses and applications with a disinfecting solution if the affected area is large. Having relieved inflammation, we clean the pores and begin to properly care for the skin.

The skin of the chest and mammary glands is just as susceptible to rashes as the face. But there are more reasons for chest acne, and many of them are dangerous to health. Don't ignore them or self-medicate. It is usually ineffective and sometimes dangerous.

Features of the pathological condition during pregnancy and lactation

If white pimples appear on the papillae of women during pregnancy and lactation, then you should not squeeze them, as the formations may not be pimples, but Montgomery tubercles.

Montgomery pimples are special glands located on the areolar area of the female breast. In a pregnant or lactating woman, they often become more expressive, which is explained by the preparation of the mammary glands for feeding the child. An increase in Montgomery's pimples is one of the signs of pregnancy. The presence of such tubercles is normal and their treatment is not required.

Pregnant and lactating women sometimes experience such a nuisance as the appearance of real abnormal pimples around or on the nipple. They usually develop against the background of a hormonal “storm” in the female body, which is caused by the birth of a small life.

In this case, you should try to establish the nature of the acne:

Classification	Varieties	Peculiarities
Inflammatory	Papules are red. Pustules are pustular formations. The nodules are burgundy-red papules. Cysts are subcutaneous pimples with pus.	They are large in size. The skin next to them often turns red. You can see the contents through the skin. Often cause painful discomfort.
Non-inflammatory	Comedones: - open (small brown or black dots); - closed (wen).	They look like dots or pimples. When infections are introduced into them, they immediately become inflamed and go into the “inflammatory” classification.

The pathological condition in the form of acne on the chest during pregnancy and lactation, in addition to hormonal surges, is due to the following:

Dehydration of the body.
Excessively sensitive skin.
Insufficient hygienic treatment of nipples after feeding the baby.

Usually, unpleasant rashes, if they are not caused by internal problems, disappear after the first months of pregnancy or after childbirth or completion of breastfeeding.

Why do skin rashes appear on the mammary glands?

acne or white, can be found on or around the breast, nipples . Their appearance can be triggered by various factors on which further treatment depends.

Gastrointestinal and hormonal disorders

The inflammatory process of the digestive organs in all cases leads to an overly excited state of the central nervous system and, as a consequence, disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system. As a result, a large number of bacteria accumulate in the sebaceous ducts, which the skin does not have time to fight. They become clogged with fat and form red papules with a purulent top.

Acne on the female breast most often appears during the lactation period, gestation, or a few days before the start of the menstrual cycle. This is due to changes in hormonal levels. The concentration of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) decreases, and testosterone, a male hormone, leads to the release of large amounts of thick sebum. As a result, the ducts become clogged, causing acne.

Allergic causes of acne

Daily wearing of synthetic or woolen clothing leads to the formation of acne on the female mammary glands. If the cause of this is an allergic reaction, the skin will constantly itch, peel, and the irritation will spread to neighboring areas of the body. If left untreated, small, watery pimples appear on the chest over time.

Causes of acne on nipples in men

Rashes in males are often caused by blockage of the sebaceous and sweat glands. They are distinguished by their small size and white tint.

The most common reasons include:

an allergic reaction caused by poor-quality perfume, insect bites or food;
constant wearing of warm or tight-fitting clothes that interfere with the thermoregulation of the skin;
infectious disease;
increased blood sugar;
personal hygiene deficiencies.

According to experts, the most common causes of acne are stress and constant nervous tension. In this case, the rash appears not only on the chest, but also on the back.

What are the consequences of having acne?

Doctors do not recommend squeezing pimples and blackheads in the chest area, much less cauterizing them. Such actions are fraught with:

Formation of scars.
Infection.
Development of an abscess.
Blood poisoning.
A breakthrough of pus in the breast tissue.

If a pimple causes unpleasant discomfort and is accompanied by other clinical signs, you should consult a doctor.

What you should pay special attention to

Sometimes, in most cases in women, unpleasant small pimples may appear in the nipple area. They should not be touched: the area is too delicate and sensitive. But if the pimple is quite large, something periodically comes out of it, it smells unpleasant, or asymmetric changes in the shape of the nipple are observed, consult a mammologist. It is likely that nothing bad is happening. But sometimes this is how some tumor diseases begin. And the sooner you find out what we are talking about, the better.

Alarming symptoms

In most cases, pimples on the areolar-nipple area disappear on their own. However, if, when trying to squeeze them out, an infection was introduced into the subcutaneous layer, then alarming symptoms may appear:

Montgomery's tubercles turn red and begin to hurt.
Purulent fluid comes out of the nipple.
After menstruation returns, the number of pimples and blackheads continues to increase.
The pimple becomes inflamed and develops into a boil.
Abnormal formations begin to itch very much.
Inflammation of the areolar circumference.
Increased body temperature.
Acne does not disappear, but on the contrary, there are many of them.

How to squeeze pimples and blackheads correctly

Components required for the procedure:

medical alcohol;
hydrogen peroxide;
new thin rubber gloves;
herbal ointments or creams with antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects;
bactericidal adhesive plaster;
cosmetic discs.

Before the procedure, it is necessary to prepare the surface of the dermis on which the removal will take place. Wash with soap an area that is significantly larger in area than the area with the pimple located on it.

For example, if we want to squeeze out a blackhead on our face, then we need to wash our face completely with soapy water. Use a clean soft towel to remove moisture.

Important! It is better to wash your face with soap and warm water. When washing with high temperature water, bleeding may occur during the procedure.

Instructions for the procedure

Wear rubber gloves. Treat the working surface of the gloves with alcohol.
Use a sponge moistened with alcohol to wipe the inflamed area of the epidermis.
Place your thumbs on either side of the pimple.
Apply gradual pressure on the area around the pimple until it opens.
Remove any pus that appears with a cosmetic disc moistened with alcohol. Continue pressure until the pus is completely released (until bleeding appears). Constantly removing the discharge with a sponge with alcohol.
After extrusion. Treat the pimple area with a clean alcohol pad. To stop bleeding, apply a cotton pad with hydrogen peroxide to the wound.
Lubricate the removal area with antibacterial ointment or cream, and cover with a bactericidal adhesive plaster.

After the procedure, you must carefully monitor the condition of the wound, treat it with peroxide and change the patch.

Attention! If the wound does not heal for a long time after removing a pimple, you should visit a doctor.

Is it necessary to see a doctor?

In case of regular appearance of acne and other rashes on the papilla and mammary gland, especially if there is a tendency to inflammation, you should visit a therapist.

In this situation, you may need to consult additional specialists:

Dermatologist.
Mammologist.
Gynecologist.
Cosmetologist.
Allergist.

Highly specialized doctors will help determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe the appropriate treatment regimen.

In some cases, a comprehensive examination of the body is indicated, which makes it possible to determine the factor that provokes acne:

Submission of laboratory tests.
Ultrasound of internal organs.
Ultrasound of the endocrine glands.

You cannot self-medicate, much less squeeze out pimples or remove them in some other way. Any illiterate actions increase the risk of widespread spread of the inflammatory process.

What can be done?

As already mentioned, if the problem is serious, you should consult a doctor. They will help to accurately determine the cause and prescribe adequate treatment. Or simply give advice appropriate to a specific situation.

But while waiting for a visit to the doctor, and also if for some reason you are unable to get to one, you can simply try to dry the chest area. Tar soap is perfect for this. It has a specific aroma, but don’t worry: the smell does not remain on the skin after washing. But the soap dries perfectly and does not cause allergies.

True, for delicate skin on the chest it is not advisable to use it too often. Otherwise, you will dry out the area, which will cause irritation. And this can have the opposite effect, that is, increase the number of acne, but for a different reason.

A mixture of lemon juice, water and tea tree oil cares for the skin and kills bacteria on the chest. True, if you have never used anything like this before, first check your body for allergies. That is, drop a little on your wrist and wait half an hour. If everything is in order, proceed.

So, to prepare the composition you will need 8 drops of essential oil for 3 tablespoons of juice and water. All this needs to be shaken and used for periodic wiping (no more than 3 times a day).

Ways to get rid of acne on the chest and nipples

How to remove acne on the chest and nipples, what medications and folk remedies can be used without harm to the body? Doctors highlight the following therapeutic points:

Drug intervention.
Regulation of diet.
Wardrobe revision.
Stabilization of hormonal status.
Exclusion of perfumes and cosmetics.
Compliance with hygiene procedures.
Use of folk remedies.

Experts note that the elimination of skin abnormalities in the bust area and other areas of the body should be comprehensive.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of acne on the nipples is practiced in cases where other treatment methods have not brought the expected effect. It is important to remember that it is advisable to use any drug only with the permission of a doctor, this especially applies to pregnant and lactating women.

Based on the diagnostic results obtained, the following drugs are prescribed:

Antiallergic.
Antipruritic.
Anti-inflammatory.
Drying.
Disinfectants.
Vitamin complexes.
Hormonal agents.

What can you put on a pimple before going to the doctor? External medications have a good therapeutic effect:

Lokoid.
Pantestin.
Sulfuric ointment.
Levomekol.
Advantan.
Psilo-balm.
Salicylic-zinc ointment.

However, pregnant and lactating women should check with their doctor about the possibility of their use, since some substances may pass into breast milk or adversely affect the condition of the fetus.

Features of choosing underwear

If you have skin rashes in the mammary glands, you need to carefully choose a bra. The best option is hypoallergenic underwear made from natural fabrics.

Synthetics impair the process of thermoregulation and reduce the quality of air exchange in the skin of the mammary glands. As a result, the skin quickly sweats, thereby creating a favorable environment for the formation of acne.

However, it is not enough to pay attention only to the bra. It is necessary to carefully select clothing that is in direct contact with the body. Preference should be given to a wardrobe made from natural materials such as linen, viscose, silk, etc. However, wear woolen clothes with caution, since wool is an allergen for many people.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers to get rid of acne on the papillae through herbal decoctions prepared on the basis of:

Sequences.
Mint.
Daisies.
Calendula.
Sage.
Parsley.
St. John's wort.

The selected component is poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1 tsp. herbs per 200 ml. liquid, heat in a water bath for 10-15 minutes and cool. The strained decoction is used to wipe problem areas with pimples. Pharmacy tinctures made from these herbs also have an effective effect, but they must be applied pointwise, applied to the skin with a cotton swab, without affecting healthy areas.

For acne and other similar manifestations on the chest, it is better to use tar soap for water procedures. As you know, its main component, birch tar, has a whole range of medicinal properties.

In addition, the following have a good healing effect:

Lemon juice.
Soda solution.
Aloe juice.

When using these folk remedies, you should not wipe the nipple area too often or diligently to avoid injury. This precaution applies not only to women, but also to men, because their skin in the areola area is also quite vulnerable.

Before using any treatment option, be sure to consult a doctor about the possibility of their use in order to exclude allergic manifestations.

Exclusion of allergenic cosmetics and perfumes

Any cosmetics and perfumes, even the most expensive ones, negatively affect the skin, clogging its pores. During the period of fighting acne, you must refrain from using cosmetic products or reduce their use to a minimum.

At the end of the day, it is important to free the skin from remnants of cosmetics using special products with a cleansing effect (tonics, lotions, gels, etc.).

When purchasing cosmetic products, give preference to options with a minimal presence of perfumed fragrances.

Review of diet

Pimples on the nipples and breasts sometimes appear due to poor diet. Especially dramatic changes in diet are necessary for teenagers, who often suffer from acne and acne with the onset of puberty.

Balanced and healthy diet:

Has a beneficial effect on the body.
Helps improve the quality of the skin.
To some extent helps normalize hormonal levels.
Increases the capabilities of the immune system.
Provides the body with useful substances.

With the systematic manifestation of pimples and blackheads on the papillae and breast, it is necessary:

Eliminate large quantities of carbohydrates from your diet.
Eat greens, fruits, vegetables and dishes made from them.
It is important to eat foods rich in fiber.
Minimize the consumption of animal fats.
Preference is given to vegetable fats.
Choose lean meat and fish.
Limit consumption of confectionery products.
Regularly introduce low-fat dairy and fermented milk products into the menu.
If there are no contraindications, drink coffee and strong tea in reasonable quantities.
Quit alcohol and smoking.
Avoid excessive consumption of salt and salty foods (daily value - 3 g, taking into account other products containing it).
Maintain daily fluid volume - the average norm is 1.5-2 liters.
Preference should be given to whole grain baked goods.
Prepare dishes by boiling, stewing, steaming, baking. When frying, use a minimal amount of fat.
Do not go on strict diets, which is especially dangerous for young girls.

Compliance with basic hygiene procedures

Pimples on the papillae and areola in women can occur due to insufficient care of the mammary glands. Regular water procedures help get rid of skin problems, they are especially necessary if you are prone to blockage of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

It is necessary to shower 1-2 times a day (without soap), and in the hot season as often as possible.

If hygiene is not observed, dust and dirt particles are added to the sebaceous and sweat secretions. Such a mixture not only has a detrimental effect on the skin, but can also lead to inflammation.

Causes

Human hormones are in strict balance. When their level changes, an imbalance occurs. We first encounter hormonal imbalances in adolescence, when the endocrine system changes.

Changes that occur under the influence of a hormonal surge cause the sweat and exocrine glands to work differently.

The number of bacteria increases, which provokes skin inflammatory processes in the form of single pimples or multiple rashes.

Critical days in women are accompanied by changes in hormonal levels. Androgens (steroidal male sex hormones) provoke intensive work of the external secretion glands and the reproduction of sebum. This is the reason for the appearance of various types of acne.

During pregnancy, women may experience skin rashes. The reason for this is the activation of a hormone that stimulates the glands to produce excess dermal fat. As soon as the hormones subside, the work of the sebaceous glands is restored, and the acne problem disappears by itself.

Stressful state

Human skin is a litmus test that reflects the physiological and mental state of a person. Negative experiences and stress increase the percentage of oily skin.

A fertile environment is created for the reproduction of bacteria. Due to excess sebum, the glands become clogged, and microbes already rule there, as a result, the sebaceous glands become inflamed and acne appears in the most unexpected places.

It is impossible to get rid of acne while under stress. In a stressful state, the work of the external secretion glands increases. A favorable environment is created for the habitat and spread of rashes. The recovery process slows down.

Dead cells

The regeneration process of the skin occurs due to the “shedding” of dead cells. During adolescence, new skin cells grow faster than the skin sheds dead cells.

The pores become clogged, inflammation occurs, and comedones (cyst-shaped pimples) appear. Comedones on the skin look like dots of black and white. A black dot grows in an open pore and a white dot grows in a closed pore.

Once bacteria enter the pores, they begin to multiply rapidly. This provokes inflammation. Comedones swell, turn red and turn into acne.

If acne appears in adulthood, this is a consequence of hormonal imbalance.

Oily skin

Skin with a high fat content is a generally accepted variant of the normal state of the epidermis. It differs from other types in the more intense production of sebum. The main problem of oily skin type is a predisposition to comedones.

There is a statement that blackheads (comedones) on the skin arise from dirt getting into the pores, but this is not true.

Black formations are the result of oxidation of sebum products and cellular debris containing a dark pigment - melanin. Since white comedones do not come into contact with air, they retain the color of the sebum in them.

Lack of unsaturated acids leads to pathological changes in the composition of oily skin - seborrhea. With this disease, the number of keratinized cells increases many times over. The volume of the glands increases, sebum penetrates and accumulates in the tissues. Seborrhea is accompanied by a constant eruption of purulent acne.

Inflammation

Environmental exposure does not always have a beneficial effect on the epidermis. Sudden temperature changes, strong winds, and ultraviolet rays provoke the appearance of inflammatory processes.

Inflammation of the epithelium is the result of the formation of a favorable environment for the activation of pathogenic microbes, sebum loses its antibacterial qualities, and the body unleashes a fight against pathogenic microflora.

Dying bacteria and leukocytes provoke inflammation of the epidermis with the subsequent appearance of purulent acne.

Diseases of the stomach and intestines

Often, unbalanced intestinal function and stomach diseases are the cause of acne.

Toxins released into the intestines by pathogens poison the body and suppress the immune system. Therefore, the dermis cannot resist external influences from pathogenic microbes.

The natural protection of the epidermis is lost, and microorganisms begin to attack it. The secretion of the sebaceous glands is disrupted, the ducts become clogged, sebum thickens and conditions are created that are favorable for the proliferation of microbes. Clogged pores fester and acne is born.

Read why many people have acne on their face.

Causes of acne on the face in women. More details here.

Bacteria

Bacteria are a favorable environment for the appearance of acne inflammation. Microorganisms have a role to play: supporting the development of the inflammation process.

Microbes of different types live in skin cells and hair follicles. They are representatives of the microflora of the epidermis and do not harm the body. But under certain conditions they can cause illness.

Bacterial biocatalysts break down substances in the hair follicles and dermis into free fatty acids that feed multiplying microbes. A favorable environment appears that promotes the proliferation of microorganisms and the appearance of inflammation and acne.

Acne prevention

To prevent the formation of acne and pimples in the bust area, doctors recommend following simple rules:

Review your diet.
Wear a properly fitted bra.
Maintain personal hygiene.
Carry out air baths for the mammary glands.
Adjust hormonal levels.
Avoid stress and psychological stress.
Visit a mammologist and gynecologist regularly.
To live an active lifestyle.
Exercise.
Choose new cosmetics carefully.
Strengthen the immune system with vitamin complexes.
Change bedding in a timely manner.

Consequences

An incorrectly performed pimple removal procedure leads to the formation of scars. They occur when the epidermis around acne is disrupted. Complete tissue restoration does not occur, and the wound is covered with scar tissue instead of connective tissue.

Cosmetic flaws

If the rules of sterility are violated at the time of squeezing out pimples, the skin becomes reddish-bluish, spots and scars appear. To disguise them, additional cosmetics are required.

Re-infection

When squeezed out, the pustular formation of a blackhead can affect adjacent pores and provoke re-infection.

Removing one pimple will give birth to a whole colony of acne. It is possible that the infection can spread through the lymph and blood throughout the body.

Thus, getting rid of acne on your own is possible if it occurs once. If acne occurs periodically, it is better to seek medical help.

Types of acne that can appear on the shoulders

Measles

Measles is an infectious disease.
It appears on the skin as a watery rash. Small pimples often appear initially on the face, but can also affect the shoulders.

This disease occurs with a very high body temperature and other symptoms similar to those of the flu - runny nose, cough, weakness.

Chickenpox

This disease is considered to be a childhood disease.
But it is not uncommon for adults to become infected with this virus. With chickenpox, red pimples appear on the upper back, on the shoulders, and on the neck.

Subsequently, the rashes spread throughout almost the entire body. They are accompanied by itching.

Hive

This skin infection occurs due to an allergic reaction to certain medications.
These pimples are very large and are located on random parts of the body.

The rash causes severe itching.

But the hives disappear quite quickly - within three to four days - so the disease is not particularly dangerous.

Cystic acne

These types of acne are much larger than a normal rash on the face.
This rash is caused by a deep subcutaneous infection.

The disease is accompanied by the appearance of dark, dense spots on the back and shoulders, as well as large pimples filled with pus.

Acne

The most common type of rash is on the shoulders.
First, comedones appear on the skin.

Later they become infected and inflamed, which leads to the appearance of very large, sometimes even purulent, pimples.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with a detailed treatment plan for acne on the back. This article contains tips that you can apply to combat acne on your shoulders.

We also advise you to study information about the features of treating acne in an adult: cleansers, creams and lotions, diet.

And if the first four types of acne disappear when treated for the corresponding disease, then acne requires a special approach. And in order to fully get rid of such a problem, it is worth thoroughly studying the reasons for its occurrence.

Photo: Nature of the rashes

See how to use mumiyo for acne on your face. About tar soap for acne on the face. Find out further.

How to clean your face from acne at home? The answer is here.

Not all pimples need to be remembered and not all pimples can be squeezed. If necessary, you need to follow the rules for removing acne. When deciding to remove acne mechanically, study the possible consequences of the procedure.