Subareolar abscess

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Normal female breast anatomy

A subareolar abscess is an abscess or growth on the areolar gland, which is located underneath or beneath the areola (the circular area of darker pigmentation around the nipple) of the breast.

Abscess - areolar gland; Areolar gland abscess

The cause of a subareolar abscess is a blockage of the small glands or ducts under the areola, with development of an infection under the skin.

This is an uncommon problem that affects younger or middle-aged women who are not breast-feeding, unlike most types of infections in the breast. There are no known risk factors.

Review Date: 11/08/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.