What does nipple discoloration mean? Is there necrosis? (Photo)

Question

I had a BA/BL in March2017. Had open wound been taking care of that but now the skin on the nipple is lighter almost the color of my skin. Is this necrosis? What can be done?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear XoCaroleena,based on your photo, it doesn't look like a necrosis. If you are concerned, I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon. You will get the best recommendations after a thorough examination.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD · Answer

The changes in the color of the areola is from lack of pigment on them, the pigment cells in the skin are lost and then you have a different color now. You can get a tattoo to replace the pigment where is lost.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your picture and question. The discoloration may be a result of scarring and wound healing. With newly healed wounds, it can take some time for the color to return, often a year or more. If after a year, the color has not returned, a good tattoo artist could easily match things up for you and tattoo the nipple to blend the colors.Hope this helps!

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It appears that you have hypopigmentation of a portion of your areola. A nipple that is necrotic will turn dark, and then part of it will slough off. There is then an open wound. You would know if you had necrosis while you were healing. Areas of hypopigmentation can be treated with tattooing and can give a very nice result. I would contact your surgeon for specific recommendations.

Christopher C. Chang, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question. Discoloration and pigment changes around the incision and scar are common but I would ask your surgeon for his input. It does not seem that you have any active or frank necrosis. However the red area below your nipple looks a little inflamed or irritated. I would recommend going in to have it examined.

Good luck,
Christopher Chang, MD
Washington DC

Good luck,
 Christopher Chang, MD
Washington DC

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

A more thorough history including the progression of healing of the nipple/areola complex would be necessary to more accurately answer your question. Nevertheless, it does appear that you had some vascular compromise (significant loss of blood supply to the tissues resulting in some tissue/cell loss). There is no necrosis at present. I would give this at least a year if not more to see if at least some of the pigmentation returns. If not, skillfully performed tattooing can give you a nice long term result.You should also discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

occurred resulting in loss of pigment.  If this does not recover on its own, you can consider tattooing or full thickness skin grafting with the latter unpredictable in outcome.

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

The lighter color of your aerola and nipple area is loss of pigment and scarring. Some pigmentation may yet return. If needed the color can be improved with some tattooing in the future. Good luck.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the photos and the areola have depigmented in areas but that stitch abscess that you have needs to be treated by your surgeonDr Corbin

What does nipple discoloration mean? Is there necrosis? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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