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What Causes Dry White Crust On The Nipple?

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Posted on Thu, 11 May 2017
Question: I am a 67 year old, post menopausal woman. This is an embarrassing question. Sometimes I see dry, white stuff in the center of my nipple. My nipples have an indentation in them and the stuff is in there. It is not wet, and rubs right out. All my mammograms are normal. Just had one XXXXXXX 30, 2017. Is this lubrication from XXXXXXX glands? Is it normal? I have had it for a long time. It is not itchy, or scaly or painful. It rubs out easily. I am on Metroprol 25 MG and Lovastatin. Occasionally Lorazapram. I have read that statin use longer than 10 yrs causes breast cancer. I have been on them 7 yrs.
THX
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please give additional information and post clear photographs if possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/67 - dry white stuff in the center of nipple sometimes - nipples have indentations and the stuff is in there - not wet - rubs out easily - normal mammograms - for a long time - on Metoprolol and Lovastatin (for 7 years) - occasional Lorazepam - read about statins can cause breast cancer when used longer than 10 years - wants to know whether this is lubrication from XXXXXXX XXXXXXX glands - whether this is normal...
I would request you to post the actual, clear and focused photos of the affected are if possible as these help in on-the-spot diagnosis.
Please give additional information:
Whether the problem is in the center of nipple or on the areola as XXXXXXX gland are on areola?
Since when are these present?
Is it on one side or both?
Any other information that you would like to share.

Awaiting:
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (10 minutes later)
I do not have any pictures. It is not there right now. It comes and goes. It is in both nipples. It is in the very center of the nipple. My nipples look like they have a crease in the middle and that is where the white stuff is. I have had it a long time, but just got to thinking about it because a friend got diagnosed with breast cancer recently.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Since it is in both nipples, comes and goes and persisted for a long time without any ulceration, skin changes or mass formation, it is least likely to be cancer.
If this would have been a cancer, there would have been marked changes by this time, changes seen in mammography.
Hence all the points go against cancer as per the history your have provided.
Obviously the final diagnosis is there on histo-pathology of the biopsy, which may be done only if your Surgeon suspects cancer.

I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (13 minutes later)
Could this just be dead skin cells, oils, etc produced by the body and it accumulates in the nipple creases?? Do statins cause breast cancer?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Looks to be as mentioned by you.

Detailed Answer:
Absolutely acceptable, the cause looks to be dead skin and oils.
About statin: as per the available literature, there are no long term studies and the ones that are available are contradictory. So can not really say whether statins can cause cancer or reduce the cancer risks.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Dry White Crust On The Nipple?

Brief Answer: Please give additional information and post clear photographs if possible. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. To recapitulate: Female/67 - dry white stuff in the center of nipple sometimes - nipples have indentations and the stuff is in there - not wet - rubs out easily - normal mammograms - for a long time - on Metoprolol and Lovastatin (for 7 years) - occasional Lorazepam - read about statins can cause breast cancer when used longer than 10 years - wants to know whether this is lubrication from XXXXXXX XXXXXXX glands - whether this is normal... I would request you to post the actual, clear and focused photos of the affected are if possible as these help in on-the-spot diagnosis. Please give additional information: Whether the problem is in the center of nipple or on the areola as XXXXXXX gland are on areola? Since when are these present? Is it on one side or both? Any other information that you would like to share. Awaiting: