Lump on my Nipple

I am 23 years old, and I have just noticed a lump on the side of my bottom left nipple. How worried should I be?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear julieann:  I am assuming that this lump is on the outside of the nipple.  Sometimes a little cyst or pimple can form on the aereola or nipple.  If this is the case it will go away and is nothing to worry about.  However, if this has been there for more than a week, is getting larger, causing you pain, scaling or bleeding, you should have it examined by a physician.