Why does the skin of the areola peel off?

Answer 1

The area known as the areola is the darker tissue around each nipple. It is part of the sensitive erectile tissue that makes up the nipple. The only noticeable differences between the areolas and nipples is that the nipple is lighter while the areola is darker; the nipple rises above the areola; and small blood vessels often raise under the skin of the areola.

At the point where the nipple and areola meet, dead skin can collect very easily. Our skin sheds every day, all over the body, including the breasts, penis, and scrotum. Usually, the friction of a washcloth and water running over the skin removes the dead skin. Clothing also helps us shed dead skin. But sometimes the creases and folds of the skin don't get the needed friction. Some women don't wear Bras, so there's no clothing-to-skin friction to remove the dead cells. Older women in nursing homes can get the same "crud" if caregivers do not fully wash, rinse, and dry the skin of each breast. Other women can't regularly shower or bathe in a tub (example: homeless females). And sometimes, it just seems "enough" to lather up and rinse off, but without friction the dead skin cells can cling to the healthy layer of skin underneath. As each day passes, more and more dead skin builds up, forming a darker ring around the nipple. It's darker because dirt and oils begins to be trapped between the dead skin layers, and makes it appear dark. In fact, a Caucasian woman can look like she's pregnant (pregnancy causes darker areolas) or like her areolas are of an African-American woman, just because the dead skin has trapped so much dirt and the dead layers have accumulated.

The good news is, peeling areolas can be cleaned and healed. First, it's important to soften the dead layers. You can start this process by first cutting square of wax paper or cling wrap big enough to lie over the breast. Place a glob of mild hand lotion in the center of a square of wax paper or cling wrap and put the lotion side against the breast. After a hot bath or shower, put a square on each nipple. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then remove and throw away the cling wrap. Rub the excess lotion into the areola and ridge around the nipple. Repeat this for a couple days. When showering/bathing, use a firm motion around each nipple with a soapy washcloth. Rinse and dry well, rubbing with the towel. As the skin starts to peel, you can gently use a fingernail to 'pick' more of the dead skin layers off. *Be very careful because the tissue underneath will be very sensitive! It may be reddened, and sore. Do just a little cleaning at a time; reapply lotion after every bath/shower.

With lotion and covering the breasts once a day for a few days, the crud will lift enough to wash away. Then, it's maintenance: be sure to wash with a washcloth and use friction on the skin.

In many ways, washing the breasts is no different than attention to the dry skin areas on the feet. If we let the dead skin build up, it can look dirty, accumulate, and cause pain or irritation. With good regular cleaning, women can prevent "breast crud".