Rapid sore growth under nipple (Age 18)

[SLVR]

Ok so three days ago my nipple started getting sore and now there's a painfully sensitive protruding lump underneath. Also I've noticed some redness in the area around the areola.   I'm 18 years old and am in great shape (Only 140lbs) I'm likely not finished with puberty since I was a semi-late bloomer (Age 15ish) I actually noticed it the morning after doing an intense chest exercise.  I've read that this could be from a hormone imbalance of sorts so I started taking Zinc supplements last night. Since this just started three days ago, is it possible to still reverse this?  I was rather proud of my pectorals and now I'm worried that I'll be self conscious about them.

[Paa_Paw]

First of all do not attempt to treat yourself. It does not work but if you keep trying and actually do have a hormonal problem you could either make things worse or you could mask the condition and make a proper medical diagnosis much more difficult. Not only that, but if your condition is reversible, you are losing precious time while you are messing around.

Now to answer some of your questions.

I seriously doubt that there has been any significant change in your breasts in a matter of days. If you had said three months, I could accept that much more easily. I will concede that it could be possible that the breasts have been enlarging for some time and you just recently took notice of this making it seem like it happened suddenly.

Could you be a "late bloomer?" That is possible and there could be other things going on that should be checked out. While Gynecomastia is harmless in itself, the condition is sometimes an important symptom of other medical problems. Even though major problems are actually rare, I am of the belief that this should be checked out. To err on the side of safety is never a mistake.

Start with your family Doctor. Some Doctors in general practice are not too familiar with such things and you may need a referral to a specialist such as an Endocrinologist. If there is a problem and the problem is identified/treated early enough then the breasts may revert without treatment. If you wast valuable time playing with self treatment until the breast tissue has stabilized, surgery is the only way to get rid of it.

[SLVR]

Yes I do mean three days and not 3 months. And it has definitely appeared just over the last few days since the night before I was feeling my chest after the workout. And yes, I was a late bloomer but it's not like I'm barely starting puberty. That was years ago. I've got plenty of bodily hair to show for that unfortunately.
 I don't understand what else it could be though.
Also I guess I should mention that I've had a tender spot in my armpit since then as well. I know there's a lymph node in there but I thought you can usually feel a lump when it's swollen whereas this just feels like a bruise.

[absec9]

Are you taking any supplements?  Bc if your nips are tender then it does sound like its starting to grow.

[DrBermant]

Ok so three days ago my nipple started getting sore and now there's a painfully sensitive protruding lump underneath. Also I've noticed some redness in the area around the areola.   I'm 18 years old and am in great shape (Only 140lbs) I'm likely not finished with puberty since I was a semi-late bloomer (Age 15ish) I actually noticed it the morning after doing an intense chest exercise.  I've read that this could be from a hormone imbalance of sorts so I started taking Zinc supplements last night. Since this just started three days ago, is it possible to still reverse this?  I was rather proud of my pectorals and now I'm worried that I'll be self conscious about them.

Pain and rapid growth of the male breast are Gynecomastia Symptoms that should be evaluated by an experienced Endocrinologist. Self treatment can obscure Gynecomastia Testing and Diagnosis.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

[Grandpa Bambu]

And yes, I was a late bloomer but it's not like I'm barely starting puberty.

In what ways were/are you a 'late bloomer'?

I was a late bloomer myself... My brother got tall very early in his teens where as I put on height late in my teens. It was a very sudden growth spurt... within a year or so, I gained a foot in height...

I ran a poll here on this site a few years ago asking how many members were late bloomers... To my surprise, quite a few guys responded...

I have also noted that many of G sufferers that have passed through this site are >6'... In addition, my PS told me that the 'majority' of his G patients are 6 foot plus... Interesting huh?

There is a connection between G, late bloomers and being tall...

I also suspect there is a slight relation to memory loss and being an introvert...

GB...

[Grandpa Bambu]

Pain and rapid growth of the male breast are Gynecomastia symptoms that should be evaluated by an experienced Endocrinologist. Self treatment can obscure Gynecomastia testing and diagnosis.

As Grandpa Dan always says...  'He who self medicates, has a fool for a doctor...'  

GB...

[SLVR]

I was a late bloomer in that I didn't really start going through puberty much till around 8th grade. I'm still short though and it's likely that I'll only end up being around 5' 9".  A little update. The pain and sensitivity has mostly subsided.  Also it seems like the hard chunk of tissue in there has been shrinking a bit over the last couple days. Would it still be smart to schedule a doctor appointment about it? I have an extensive physical coming up on the 5th of June so I guess I'll ask about it then, but I'm wondering if I should go in sooner.

[Grandpa Bambu]

8th grade would put you at 14 years young... I wouldn't call that being a late bloomer...

Yes, get it checked out... It may be something serious dude...


GB...