@bwbillh You got mealybugs near the top. If you want your plant to live, start treating(neem oil, insecticides, cleaning ) it stat.
And i lost 2 of these due to mealybugs, so trust me on this.

I'm guessing the white spots up there are actually little rocks from the substrate that got caught up in between the spines. Take a toothpick and poke at them to see if they are soft or hard before you proceed with some kind of intensive treatment.

I checked it out and I am thankful that it was some substrate. I have not had mealy bugs yet and from what I hear I don't. Thanks for the info.

Bill

Except i wasnt talking about the brown things on the size, but the fuzz at the top....

That fuzz doesn't resemble mealybugs to me.

Any chance of an overhead shot?

here you go - it looks like just fuzz to me.

Me too.

Except echinocereus rigidisimus isnt supposed to be fuzzy. Even if it has , it shouldnt be in on and between the spines

https://i.pinimg.com/originals...
https://www.cactus-art.biz/sch...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dm...
On top of that, the fuzz is too bright and vivid, not matching the color of the areoles.
Best way to disprove or prove me? Try pulling it off with a sharp object/brush. Then it with your fingers. If it turns sticky...well. Get insecticide.
Humor me. IMO its better to be safe than sorry.

ok I pulled some off and it was very light and fluffy, not sticky. The fuzziness increased when I moved it closer to the window and in winter the sun is low enough to come into the window directly so since the beginning of October it started to get direct sun - maybe that's why is got more fuzzy, I don't know.

Bill

Since its been about 2months since I noticed the fuzziness starting and if it were mealy bugs should I have seen some type of damage? I really want to know what to look for so that I can keep a look out. Is there any pictures of what mealy bug damage looks like? I have seen mealy bugs outdoors on plants and its very distinct. Is it the same for indoor cactus?

Thanks
Bill

That fuzz looks like household dust to me, not anything the plant or any bugs produced. You would not likely see any damage from mealy bugs because it would be hidden under all those spines. Just keep an eye out for the actual bugs or the sticky web they produce.