Plugged milk duct? Bleb? This is messing up my symmetry!!

October 30, 2006 6:29 PM

What is the white dot on my nipple?

For as long as I can remember (since I was really young), I've had a white dot at the end of only one of my nipples. It's very small, and no one has ever seemed to notice it, though it's not something I've ever pointed out. I've searched google, but I can't figure out what it could be. The only thing that I can find that comes close to what I'm describing is a plugged milk duct or "bleb". It is right on the spot where one of these would be, and it looks somewhat like it. However, I have never been pregnant, breastfed, or otherwise lactated. It doesn't cause me any pain at all, and there is no "lump" underneath the nipple that seems to indicate plugged milk ducts from my research. I really can't figure this out.
To clarify, the dot is not on my areola, it is right on the nipple, I guess where milk would come out.
Also, if it's not obvious from the above, I am a female.
What is this? Can I get rid of it?

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Gross question, but have you tried to squeeze it? Does it look like a pimple? If you have tried to squeeze it, what happens?

I have had clogged milk ducts, and there was a white spot at the end of my nipple, (and sometimes not), but dissapeared when the ducts were unclogged by nursing, massage, and pumping of breast milk. If it has been there since you were a child it's probably something that can't be squeezed or massaged away. The milk comes out in many different areas at the tip of the nipple, almost like a 'shower'. I don't seem to be much help, hopefully someboby will know exactly what it is.
posted by LoriFLA at 6:40 PM on October 30, 2006

Hm... I have lots of small white dots on the rough parts of my nipples that I've always thought were little bits of skin in my milk ducts--kind of like clogged pores. If I rub/pick gently at them, they'll come off, but reappear eventually. I'd imagine they're nothing to worry about; I barely notice them.
posted by soviet sleepover at 7:13 PM on October 30, 2006

I notice these at times too. I would also suggest squeezing it. Usually I just notice a little substance come out. I have never been pregnant or lactated either, I just assumed it was normal to have them since nipples were made to lactate.
posted by harrumph at 7:13 PM on October 30, 2006

Common. Forget about it. Really. It's nothing. Seriously, this is not uncommon, I know that babies have fed through such a thing. You are normal. (now if you could just tell me about this thing on my manly parts.....)
posted by caddis at 8:23 PM on October 30, 2006

Could it be a calcium deposit? I know a few people who have these (though I've only noticed them on the face around the eyes, never been privvy to the boobs). Kind of like a tiny hard white cyst under the skin.
posted by cocoagirl at 9:30 AM on October 31, 2006