Short answer: Bumps that look like enlarged hair follicles on your breasts are usually one of three things: folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles, often after plucking, shaving or waxing), ingrown hairs, or Montgomery glands, which are normal oil glands on the areola. Most clear up with gentle care and a break from hair removal. See a doctor if a bump is very painful, hot or lasts more than a few days, or if the skin of your breast starts to look like orange peel.
Small bumps around the nipple or on the breast can be worrying, especially when they appear after removing a few hairs. The good news is that most are harmless and easy to manage. Here is how to tell the common causes apart, what you can do at home, and when to get them checked.
What are the bumps around my nipples?
The table below sums up the most common causes. The sections that follow explain each one.
| What it is | What it looks like | Typical trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Folliculitis | Small red bumps or pus-filled spots centered on hairs, may itch or hurt | Plucking, shaving or waxing; bacteria; yeast; tight clothing |
| Ingrown hair | Raised, itchy bump, sometimes with a hair visible under the skin | Plucking, shaving, waxing or threading |
| Montgomery glands | Small skin-colored bumps on the areola, like goosebumps | Normal anatomy; more visible in pregnancy, breastfeeding or when the nipple is erect |
| Blocked Montgomery gland | A firm, swollen bump like a pimple on the areola | Clogged oil gland |
Folliculitis: inflamed hair follicles
Folliculitis is the medical term for inflamed hair follicles. It starts when a follicle is damaged or blocked, for example by shaving or by clothes rubbing against the skin. [1] It can affect any hairy area, including the chest. [2] There are several types:
- Irritant folliculitis develops as hairs regrow after shaving, waxing or plucking. Swabs from these spots grow no germs. [2]
- Bacterial folliculitis is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that lives on the skin. A deep infection can turn into a painful boil. [2]
- Hot tub folliculitis is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that thrives in warm water. [2]
- Yeast (Malassezia) folliculitis causes an itchy, acne-like rash, usually on the upper body of young adults. [2]
- Occlusion folliculitis happens when follicles are blocked by tight clothing, greasy ointments, moisturizers or plasters. [2]
Ingrown hairs
An ingrown hair grows back into the skin instead of out of it. It causes a raised, often itchy bump, sometimes with the hair visible under the surface. Infected ingrown hairs can be painful and fill with pus. [3] They are more common in areas that are shaved, waxed, plucked or threaded, and in people with coarse or curly hair. [3] Read our full guide to ingrown nipple hair.
Montgomery glands: normal bumps on the areola
Not every bump on the areola is a hair follicle. Montgomery glands are oil glands in the areola, the darker skin around the nipple. They release an oil that protects the skin, especially during breastfeeding. [4] They look like small skin-colored bumps, a bit like goosebumps, and often become more visible in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, when the nipple is erect or when estrogen levels rise. [4] The number and size of these glands vary widely between people, and these differences are normal. [4]
A Montgomery gland can sometimes get blocked and turn into a firm, swollen bump, a bit like a pimple. It often clears on its own, and a warm cloth can help. Do not squeeze it, as this can cause infection. [4] Rarely, a blocked gland forms a harmless cyst behind the areola, which can become infected and may need treatment. [4]
How to treat enlarged hair follicles on your breasts at home
Evidence: Limited The self-care steps below come from health services and dermatology references. They are based on clinical experience rather than trials, but they are low risk and usually enough for mild bumps.
- Take a break from hair removal. For irritant folliculitis, DermNet advises stopping hair removal and not starting again for about 3 months after the bumps settle. [2]
- Use warm, moist compresses. A clean washcloth soaked in warm water and held on the area a few times a day may help the follicle drain. [1]
- Keep the area clean. Wash gently and change out of sweaty clothes. An antiseptic wash can help with bacterial folliculitis. [2], [1]
- Reduce friction. Wear soft, loose clothing. [1]
- Choose an oil-free moisturizer if you need one, since greasy products can block follicles. [2]
- Do not squeeze, pick or scratch. This can damage the skin and lead to infection. [3], [4]
If you use hot tubs, give them a miss while your skin is healing, since hot tub folliculitis comes from bacteria that thrive in warm water. [2]
Treatment from a doctor
If bumps do not settle, a doctor can work out the cause and treat it. Depending on what is going on, treatment may include:
- Antibiotic cream or ointment, or antibiotic tablets, for bacterial folliculitis [2], [1]
- Antifungal cream or tablets for yeast folliculitis, often for several weeks [2]
- Removal of a trapped hair with a sterile needle, or a steroid cream to calm swelling, for an infected ingrown hair [3]
- Draining a boil or abscess if pus has collected [5]
These are standard treatments recommended by the dermatology and health references we cite. We did not find studies on folliculitis of the breast specifically.
How to prevent bumps around the nipples
- Trim nipple hair with small scissors instead of plucking or shaving. Trimming does not damage the follicle.
- If you shave, use a sharp blade, shave in the direction of growth, and leave a little stubble. [3] An electric razor and plenty of shaving gel are gentler. [2]
- Avoid tight, non-breathable bras and tops when your skin is prone to bumps. [2]
- Use oil-free moisturizers on your chest. [2]
Evidence: Moderate If you get bumps every time you remove hair, longer-term hair reduction may help, because it means less plucking and shaving. The NHS suggests laser treatment as one option to avoid ingrown hairs. [3] A Cochrane review found that alexandrite and diode lasers reduced hair by about 50% for up to 6 months, but the trials were small and none was high quality. [6] Read about laser hair removal on the nipples before you book, since the areola needs extra care.
When to see a doctor
Contact a doctor if:
- A bump lasts longer than 2 or 3 days, keeps coming back or gets worse [1]
- The area is very painful, hot or swollen, or you have a fever or feel unwell [3]
- A Montgomery gland is sore and inflamed [4]
See a doctor promptly about any of these breast changes, even if you think they are related to hair: [7]
- Skin that is dimpled or looks like the peel of an orange
- Swelling of all or part of the breast
- Red, dry, flaking or thickened skin on the nipple or breast
- A nipple that turns inward, or discharge that is not breast milk
- A new lump in the breast or armpit
Breast inflammation that is not related to breastfeeding can, rarely, be a sign of a form of breast cancer, so it should always be checked. [5]
If the bumps come from removing a lot of hair around your nipples, and the hair is spreading or coarse, it is worth asking your doctor about hormones too. Learn more in why you may have hair on your breasts, or try our hirsutism self-check. The most common hormonal cause of excess hair is PMOS (formerly PCOS). [8], [9]
Frequently asked questions
Why are the hair follicles on my breasts so big?
Follicles look bigger when they are inflamed (folliculitis) or have an ingrown hair. [2], [3] Bumps on the areola itself are often Montgomery glands, which are normal. [4]
Are the bumps on my areola hair follicles?
Some may be, but many are Montgomery glands, oil glands that protect the nipple and become more visible in pregnancy and when estrogen rises. [4]
Should I pop an enlarged follicle on my breast?
No. Squeezing or picking can damage the skin and cause infection. [3] Use a warm compress instead and see a doctor if it does not settle. [1]
Can tight bras cause folliculitis?
Yes. Friction from clothing can damage follicles, and tight clothing can block them. [1], [2]
Key takeaways
- Most “enlarged follicles” on the breast are folliculitis, ingrown hairs or normal Montgomery glands.
- Plucking, shaving and waxing are common triggers, so take a break from hair removal while the skin heals.
- Warm compresses, gentle cleaning and loose clothing help most mild bumps. Do not squeeze them.
- See a doctor for bumps that last more than a few days or get worse, and promptly for orange-peel skin, swelling or nipple changes.
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Sources
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Folliculitis. Accessed October 2026. Link
- DermNet. Folliculitis. Accessed October 2026. Link
- NHS. Ingrown hairs. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Cleveland Clinic. Montgomery Glands. Accessed October 2026. Link
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Breast infection. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Haedersdal M, Gøtzsche PC. Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(4):CD004684. Cochrane summary
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
- Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, Laven JSE, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. PubMed 42119588
This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.