How do montgomery glands get infected

The mammary glands help in milk secretion that occurs through the nipples after passing through ducts and lobules. So, Montgomery glands are located below the areola region.

There are about five to twenty of these Montgomery glands. Whenever the glands are stimulated at time of breasting or otherwise, they tend to release some oily secretion. Pregnant women may begin to notice changes on their breasts; montgomery glands become larger or their numbers raises. You should not worry about this because it is not an illness.

Normally, when you are pregnant, your breasts and nipples have to prepare for these changes to produce milk to facilitate breastfeeding of the baby after delivery. Your Montgomery glands usually start growing bigger in the second trimester of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, your alveoli , which are responsible for producing milk, grow bigger. During this period, your breast can grow 2 or 4 times their normal size and Montgomery glands also become bigger.

Your areolas become dark as well as increases in size. Montgomery glands produce oily secretion that has antimicrobial properties. This helps prevent germs and bacteria from growing hence protecting your breasts from infections.

Montgomery glands are responsible for producing oily secretions that help lubricate your areolas and nipples as well as protect them against infections. Montgomery glands play a crucial role during breastfeeding as they assist the baby find the breast. Normally, a baby uses the sense of smell to locate the breasts.

The baby understands the amniotic fluid smell, which is similar to the oily secretion produced by your Montgomery glands. The baby therefore is able to pick up the scent and locate the breast. This allows the mother to start feeding immediately. As your Montgomery glands become bigger, you may see yellowish —white substance that looks like mucus on your areolas and nipples.

You can keep your nipples and areolas clean by cleaning them using a clean towel in the bathroom or shower. Make sure you use the towel you have been using to avoid spread of infections.

Sometimes materials on those areas can be difficult to clean. Use olive oil, apply it on your nipples, and leave it for about 5 minutes.

This will help to soften those materials so that you can easily remove them. When your Montgomery glands are very big, one option is to remove them. You should consult your doctor or a health provider on this process.

Your doctor should be able to determine if removal of your Montgomery glands is necessary. In most cases, only a few of these glands will be removed to avoid infections on your breasts when all the glands are removed.

Your doctor can remove your Montgomery glands through surgery. Your doctor will use a scalpel to make an incision into your breast, remove some of the glands, and sew up the area. This procedure is very short and usually takes a maximum of 30 minutes and therefore you will not be hospitalized. Montgomery glands are crucial in women because they protect the breast against infections and lubricate the aerola.

When they are removed, women especially those who are pregnant are really concerned about whether they can breastfeed or not. Warm compresses and oral antibiotics can usually easily treat an infection and get the bumps back to normal. Many women notice their tubercles during pregnancy. But hormonal imbalances, stress or significant weight change can also make them look more noticeable.

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Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Those newly prominent bumps around your areolas will help with breastfeeding down the line. Back to Top. In This Article. What are Montgomery tubercles or Montgomery glands? What do Montgomery tubercles look like? When do Montgomery glands appear?

How to care for Montgomery tubercles The best way to take care of these glands is to simply leave them alone. Can you have Montgomery tubercles and not be pregnant? You may not always love the way they look, but they provide a valuable benefit for you and your baby during pregnancy and nursing. Your best bet is to leave these bumps alone, and let them do their job. But if they begin to hurt, seem swollen or have unusual redness, see your doctor to rule out an infection or another, potentially more serious condition.

View Sources. Kameelah Phillips , M. Jennifer Wu , M. Consultant, Montgomery Glands , April