Breast infection is more common among people who are breastfeeding than other people. And there are different types of breast infection. Subareolar Breast Abscess is a rare type of breast infection that can occur to anyone, including women who are not breastfeeding.
An abscess is a condition where there is an inflamed, pus-filled area in the body. A subareolar breast abscess is a condition where you have an infected lump located under the areola, which is the colored skin around the nipple.
The swelling and pus are usually caused by a local infection, which occurs when bacteria find their way to your body and remain there. In the case of local infection, bacteria don’t spread to other parts of the body, instead, it just remains in that area, which then causes the swelling and build-up of pus.
Symptoms of Subareolar Breast Abscess
You can easily identify a subareolar abscess. They usually follow infection in your breast. If you have an abscess, your breast may be more tender than usual.
With a subareolar abscess, you will notice a red, painful lump in the breast. Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Pus builds up
- Warmth in the affected area
Early treatment is very important to avoid complications, like an infection. Immediate treatment will be required if your abscess got infected. More specific symptoms from an infected subareolar abscess include:
- Your nipple looking a little inward
- Release of pus from the abscess
- A fistula is an abnormal mammary duct. [1]
The earlier you get treated, the better you can be. These symptoms can continue to get worse if not attended to.