Many, many thanks to all who sent messages in response to my question about
"leathery" areolas.  The general concensus seems to be that this condition
is seen occasionally, usually in dark-skinned moms, it resolves
spontaneously within a few days of delivery, and the small quantities of
dark material shed into pump flanges or into the baby's mouth are not cause
for concern.

Sure enough, the Japanese mom who was worried by the leathery areolas
reports that all is now well.  The areolas are uniformly coloured now, the
skin appears smooth, soft and "normal" and no more dark material is coming
away.  She was very reassured to know that other LCs occasionally see this
and that although they don't know the cause, they are not worried about it.

Thank you all so much.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
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