Swollen Nipple: Normal or a Sign of Cancer?

There are many cases of swelling on one or both nipples either for men or women. The challenging question emerging is how dangerous it is and Is it dangerous at all?

For boys stepping into puberty, it is normal because as hormone levels rise, there is a sort of stimulation on the breast tissue. This is called Gynaecomastia. It usually happens to just one of the breasts. On the other hand, if women have swollen nipple or nipples, it can be a sign of cancer otherwise, it is just an irritation because of breastfeeding.

According to RightDiagnosis.com, there are 13 basic causes of having swollen nipples:

• Puberty
• Normal neonatal nipple enlargement (transient)
• Subareolar hyperplasia of nipples (young adolescent males)
• Premature hyperplasia (young pre-pubertal females)
• Gynaecomastia
• Medications
• Liver failure
• Oestrogen-secreting tumours
• Adrenal carcinoma
• Testicular tumour
• Pregnancy
• Paget's disease

Healthline.com adds up to the list some important notes to consider related to the swelling of the nipples and perhaps the whole breast:

• Some foods and drinks, such as those with high amounts of caffeine or salt
• Mastitis, an infection of the milk duct that can accompany breastfeeding
• Postpartum-related breast changes when a mother's milk comes in
• Pregnancy-related changes
• Taking estrogen-containing medications, such as birth control pills

Some experts would say that the swelling of the nipples can be linked to hypothyroidism, breast infections, and pituitary tumors. Whatever the case may be, it is important that the consultation with a doctor is done immediately.

Pain killers and antibiotics will be the possible medications at the onset but it is always helpful and safe to get the advice of the doctor first. Unusual growths formed on the breast can be really tricky because some problems with it are normal while some points to fatal causes. The extremities should not navigate you to be laid back about it. In case you or a person you know has one or both nipples swelling and it seems really weird, do not hesitate to ask a doctor. Prevention is safer and less expensive than a cure.