White bits on nipple

[Gamorasgran]

Will preface this by saying will go to gp and yes I know the internet can't diagnose me but my dad just died of cancer 5 weeks after diagnosis and I have health anxiety so could do with some support.

In the bath today I noticed a couple of white flakes on my nipple. V small and not sure if skin flakes or discharge. I scraped them off (nice) mostly. I am mid 40s, potentially peri menopausal I guess but no symptoms really.

Mid cycle, always suffer from sore boobs. Couldn't breastfeed and haven't been pregnant for a decade. Was checked for a tiny 'lump' last year which was apparently enflamed milk ducts and nothing to worry about (in this same breast).

DH compared both nipples - what a trooper - and he says they look the same and he can't see any visible difference but my boob is a bit sore.

Any experience? A quick google initially seemed quite reassuring but mostly in the context of a recent breastfeeder which I am not.....

I have this and have had for as long as I can remember! (Or at the very least, post dc, the youngest of which is 11) I'm 43. It does seem a little linked to my menstrual cycle. I just think of it as boob-discharge, for want of a better phrase. I'm sorry about your dad. If it would put your mind at rest, you should go to the GP.

Thanks for the reply. My suspicion is the already identified duct thing, age and stress (consultant said stress hormones make it worse and I have been pretty stressed!). I need to see the gp anyway for thyroid stuff so will mention......

I have always had this and don't think its anything to worry about, if its actively leaking a lot that's different and needs checking but odd dried bit here and there is pretty normal AFAIK.

Thanks penguins. Nothing all week but I've just had a bath and noticed the tinest spec again. I'm less worried as a, it really is tiny and b, I think the heat (I have v hot baths and often put a flannel over my boobs - don't ask....) combined with the fact it's in the boob which I already know had the duct thingy in it means it's probably that. Will still get it checked though