Now, if you know why they’re red-for example, you went running and they chafed against your sports bra-then you’re good. The exception here is if your nipples have suddenly turned red. The dark skin surrounding the nipples, on the other hand, is called the areola, and it has glands (called Montgomery glands) that secrete fluid to aid in breastfeeding. Sometimes people think the entire pink or brown part of your boobs is your nipples but actually, your nipples are just the center part of the dark area-yep, where milk comes out if you breastfeed, according to the Cleveland Clinic. First, a word about your nipples.īefore we start talking about “normal nipples,” let’s get some definitions out of the way. Keep reading to learn which seemingly weird nipple things are actually pretty run-of-the-mill and which are a sign you should check with your doctor. That said, there’s a small chance your nipples might be trying to tell you something about your health.
There is so much variation when it comes to nipples-like the look, shape, texture, color, and size-that you’ve likely wondered at least once whether or not yours are “normal.”Īnd while the many differences you spot may give you pause, fear not: Chances are, you have totally normal nipples and whatever you’re noticing is a natural variation. If you’ve ever found yourself googling something “weird” you’ve noticed about your nipples (like “bumps on nipple” or “third nipple”), you’re not alone.