Subareolar AbscessSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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.
Texas Health Breast Specialists
Dr. Radha Iyengar is the medical director of the Breast Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen. She obtained her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Florida and went on to complete a general surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. She then completed a Society of Surgical Oncology accredited breast fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta before returning to Texas.Dr. Iyengar is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, Dallas Medical Society, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Breast Disease and American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Iyengar is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subareolar Abscess. She is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Intraductal Papilloma, and Lymphadenectomy.
Advocate Christ Outpatient Pavilion Breast Surgery
Ameer Gomberawalla is a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Gomberawalla is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subareolar Abscess. He is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Intraductal Papilloma, Lymphadenectomy, and Sleeve Gastrectomy. Dr. Gomberawalla is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.
Advocate Christ Outpatient Pavilion Breast Surgery
Joslyn Albright is a Surgical Oncologist practicing medicine in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Albright is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subareolar Abscess. She is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Giant Mammary Hamartoma, Intraductal Papilloma, and Lymphadenectomy. Dr. Albright is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.
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.
Klimberg VS, Hunt KK. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 35.
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.