Nipple Discharge<\/h3>\n
Nipple discharge is common, and most causes are benign. Discharge may be milky, clear, yellow, green, gray or bloody, but color alone does not determine the cause. How the discharge occurs is often more important, including whether it happens spontaneously or only when the nipple is squeezed, whether it affects one or both breasts and whether it comes from one or multiple milk ducts.<\/p>\n Milky discharge is commonly associated with pregnancy or breastfeeding and may continue for a period afterward. Hormonal changes, certain medications, infection, inflammation and benign changes within the milk ducts can also cause nipple discharge.<\/p>\n Common benign causes of nipple discharge include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Spontaneous discharge from one breast should be evaluated, particularly when it persists or recurs, appears to come from a single duct, is clear or bloody, or occurs with a breast lump or another new breast change. Most nipple discharge is not caused by breast cancer, but these characteristics help determine when additional evaluation is appropriate.<\/p>\n Evaluation may include a clinical breast examination and diagnostic imaging based on your symptoms, age and medical history.<\/p>\n Some people naturally have flat or inverted nipples, and a nipple that has always appeared this way is usually not a medical concern. A nipple that becomes newly flattened, pulled inward or changes position should be evaluated, particularly when the change affects one breast or occurs with a lump, nipple discharge or skin changes.<\/p>\n Eczema, dermatitis and other benign conditions can cause redness, itching, dryness, flaking or irritation involving the nipple or areola. These changes may be temporary, but persistent symptoms affecting one nipple deserve evaluation, particularly when there is crusting, scaling, ulceration, bleeding, discharge or a change in the shape of the nipple.<\/p>\n Rarely, persistent nipple or areolar changes may be caused by Paget disease of the breast, a form of breast cancer involving the nipple that can resemble eczema or dermatitis. Paget disease typically affects one breast and is often associated with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer in the underlying breast tissue.<\/p>\n A new lump, nodule or area of thickening involving the nipple or areola can have several causes. One uncommon benign condition is a nipple adenoma, a growth involving the nipple that may appear as a small superficial nodule and can sometimes cause discharge, crusting, irritation or erosion of the skin.<\/p>\n Infection and inflammation can also cause swelling, tenderness, redness or a lump beneath the nipple or areola. A subareolar abscess is a collection of infected fluid beneath the areola that may require antibiotics, drainage or other treatment depending on its severity. Smoking and nipple piercing are among the factors associated with an increased risk of subareolar abscess.<\/p>\n Any new or persistent nipple lump, swelling or inflammatory change should be evaluated so the cause can be identified and appropriate treatment can be recommended.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","layer_is_content_auto_columns":false,"sidebar_position":"right","widgets":false,"layer_icon":"","layer_icon_position":"left","layer_background_color":"","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":" Many nipple changes are benign, but certain new or persistent changes should be evaluated so the cause can be identified. In general, it is a good idea to seek breast evaluation when a nipple change affects only one breast, does not resolve, or occurs together with another breast change.<\/p>\n Redness, tenderness, warmth, swelling or drainage may occur with infection or inflammation involving the nipple or the tissue beneath the areola. These symptoms should still be evaluated, especially when they are worsening, recurrent or associated with a palpable lump.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Evaluation begins with a careful review of your symptoms, medical history and any changes you have noticed in the nipple or breast. Your breast specialist will also perform a clinical breast examination to better understand whether the change appears localized to the nipple or may be part of a broader breast condition.<\/p>\n Depending on your symptoms, age and medical history, your evaluation may include diagnostic breast imaging such as mammography, ultrasound or other studies. Imaging can help assess the ducts, breast tissue and the area beneath the nipple when there is spontaneous discharge, new inversion or a palpable abnormality. Persistent nipple or areolar skin changes may also require direct examination and biopsy when clinically appropriate.<\/p>\n Some nipple conditions can be evaluated and managed based on the clinical examination and imaging findings, while others may require additional testing. When a suspicious lesion, persistent skin change or unexplained abnormality is present, your care team may recommend biopsy or another procedure to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Learn more about Breast Evaluation<\/u><\/a> at the Margie Petersen Breast Center.<\/p>\n Most nipple conditions are not caused by breast cancer, but new or persistent nipple changes should not be ignored. The most important next step is determining what is causing the change and whether monitoring, medication, a procedure or other follow-up is appropriate.<\/p>\n At the Margie Petersen Breast Center, our multidisciplinary breast team provides timely evaluation for nipple discharge, inversion, skin changes and other breast concerns. We work with patients to determine the cause of a nipple change and recommend next steps based on the individual clinical findings.<\/p>\n","layer_is_content_auto_columns":false,"sidebar_position":"right","widgets":false,"layer_icon":"","layer_icon_position":"left","layer_background_color":"bg-gray-l","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":" If you have found a breast lump or noticed another breast change, you do not need to wait for your next routine mammogram or determine which type of test you need. Contact the Margie Petersen Breast Center and our team can help you take the appropriate next step.<\/p>\n The Breast Clinic provides rapid access for patients with new breast concerns, providing a breast evaluation . If additional evaluation is needed, our team can coordinate further imaging, biopsy and pathology so you can get answers and understand what should happen next without unnecessary delays.<\/p>\n If a biopsy confirms breast cancer, specialists work together to develop a treatment plan based on the characteristics of the cancer and your individual needs. Depending on your diagnosis, this may include consultation with breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology and other specialists. When appropriate, oncoplastic techniques may also be considered to combine cancer surgery with reconstructive approaches designed to preserve or restore breast shape and appearance.<\/p>\n","layer_is_content_auto_columns":false,"sidebar_position":"right","widgets":false,"layer_icon":"","layer_icon_position":"left","layer_background_color":"bg-gray-l","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_image","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_content":" The Breast Health Clinic can be reached at (310) 582-7209<\/a><\/strong>. If you have questions about a new breast symptom, need an evaluation or would like help determining your next step, call and a member of our team can assist you.<\/p>\n See Breast Evaluation<\/a> Contact Us<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Intraductal](\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/Intradutal-papilloma-saint-johns-cancer-institure.jpg\")
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Nipple Retraction or Inversion<\/h3>\n
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/03\/Nipple-Inversion.jpg\")
Nipple Skin Changes<\/h3>\n
Nipple Lumps, Growths and Inflammation<\/h3>\n
![\"Nipple](\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/09\/nipple-adenoma.jpg\")
When Should You Have a Nipple Change Evaluated?<\/h2>\n
Changes That Should Be Evaluated<\/h3>\n
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When Symptoms May Be Related to Infection or Inflammation<\/h3>\n
How Nipple Conditions Are Evaluated<\/h2>\n
Clinical Examination and Breast Imaging<\/h3>\n
Additional Testing When Needed<\/h3>\n
We are ready to support you.<\/h2>\n
![\"Breast](\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/09\/Breast-consultation-Saint-Johns-Health-Center.jpg\")
Contact the Margie Petersen Breast Center<\/h2>\n
Prompt Evaluation When You Have a Breast Concern<\/h3>\n
Coordinated Care if Breast Cancer Is Diagnosed<\/h3>\n
Talk With Our Breast Clinic Team<\/h3>\n