A hard lump in the areola may be caused by the following conditions: first, intraductal papilloma, the typical symptoms of which are a hard lump in the areola, unidentified nipple overflow, brown or bloody discharge when pressing on the hard lump, mostly in women around 40 years of age, occurring mainly in the large milk ducts around the areola, and the possibility of lesions that require surgical removal. Second, plasmacytoid mastitis, the typical symptom of which is a hard lump next to the areola, the boundary of which is not clear and is accompanied by nipple depression. Third, the clinical manifestations of breast fibroids are mostly breast pain, nipple overflow and breast lumps. Fourth, mastocytosis and mastitis, it is best to go to a regular hospital breast specialist for further examination and, if necessary, puncture pathology analysis.