Learn About Subareolar Abscess
Subareolar abscess is an abscess on the areolar gland. The areolar gland is located in the breast under or below the areola (colored area around the nipple).
Abscess - areolar gland; Areolar gland abscess; Breast abscess - subareolar
Subareolar abscess is caused by a blockage of the small glands or ducts below the skin of the areola. This blockage leads to infection of the glands.
This is an uncommon problem. It affects younger or middle-aged women who are not breastfeeding. Risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- Nipple piercing
- Smoking
Symptoms of an areolar abscess are:
- Swollen, tender lump beneath the areolar area, with swelling and warmth of the skin over it
- Drainage and possible pus from this lump
- Fever and chills
- General ill feeling or fatigue
Subareolar abscesses are treated with antibiotics and by opening and draining the infected tissue. This can be done in a doctor's office with local numbing medicine. If the abscess returns, the affected glands should be surgically removed. The abscess can also be drained using a sterile needle. This is often done under ultrasound guidance.
Practice Associates Medical Group
Sarah Chima is a General Surgeon in Morristown, New Jersey. Dr. Chima is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subareolar Abscess. Her top areas of expertise are Subareolar Abscess, Breast Infection, Breast Cancer, Hernia Surgery, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Chima is currently accepting new patients.
Proliance Surgeons
Helen Kim, MD, is certified by the American College of Surgeons. She has a special interest in breast surgery, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. She is a trained and certified console surgeon on da Vinci® Single-Site™, the da Vinci® Surgical System, and EndoWrist®. She practices abdominal wall hernia repair and open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted techniques for complex and recurrent hernias. She also performs gastrointestinal surgery, laparoscopic and open colectomy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, anti-reflux surgery, and laparoscopic intra-abdominal scar release surgery.Dr. Kim treats high risk, benign, and malignant breast conditions through initial evaluation of high breast cancer risk patients, management and treatment of breast pain, nipple discharge, breast masses and image-detected lesions, as well as surgical management of breast cancer, which includes breast-conserving lumpectomy, skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomy, and sentinel lymph node biopsy. She also coordinates breast reconstruction at the time of mastectomy.During her sabbatical year in 2010, she performed surgeries at Kijabe, Kenya as a short-term medical missionary for one month, travelled to France and Italy, and took oil-painting classes. In and out of the operating room, Dr. Kim places emphasis on meticulous surgical techniques and offers the most advanced minimally invasive approaches wherever applicable, while caring for the patient as a whole in the context of their other medical conditions. Dr. Kim is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subareolar Abscess. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Gallbladder Disease, and Hernia Surgery.
SSoC NH Network Provider
Shamly Dhiman is a General Surgeon in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Dhiman is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subareolar Abscess. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Angiosarcoma, Hernia Surgery, and Lymphadenectomy. Dr. Dhiman is currently accepting new patients.
The outlook is good after the abscess is drained.
Subareolar abscess may return until the affected gland is surgically removed. Any infection in a female who is not nursing has the potential to be due to a rare form of breast cancer. You may need to have a biopsy or other tests if standard treatment fails.
Contact your provider if you develop a painful lump under your nipple or areola. It is very important to have your provider evaluate any breast mass.
Published Date: October 17, 2024
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Matalkah AM, Grobmyer SR. Mastitis and breast abscess. In: Klimberg VS, Gradishar WJ, Bland KI, Korourian S, White J, Copeland EM, eds. Bland and Copeland's The Breast: Comprehensive Management of Benign and Malignant Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 15.
Mohsin SK, Dabbs DJ. Infections of the breast. In: Dabbs DJ, ed. Breast Pathology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 3.