As always, I preface by saying one should always talk to her own doctor, but I've had such good results that I need to share. I've been battling crusty nipples for month. LO is 9 months old and this was a new, strange problem. I'd try to peel it off and it created cracks and pits in my nipples that bled. Tried lanolin, which softened everything, but didn't make it go away. Finally called my doc, who referred me to an awesome lactation specialist. She talked with me on the phone and after explaining everything that was going on, she suggested I get in a warm shower and use a mild soap with soft washcloth on my nipples. After the shower, apply polysporin. Bees, my old nipples are back! If I need to feed or pump shortly after applying the polysporin, I try to wipe it off, but the IBLC was not really concerned about LO ingesting any. If it didn't clear up, she advised me to go to a dermatologist.