Dried, cracked, scabbing areola one year post. Could this be an infection or my nipple that getting enough blood flow? (photo)

Over a year go I had a breast reduction with implants. For the past 6 months or so my nipple (areola) will get super hard and painful. Around my areola gets dried and scabs , at times my skin would cracks open from being so dry and scabby. The only thing that helps is sometimes putting lotion on it. My right nipple is perfectly fine. Could this be an infection or my nipple that getting enough blood flow?