Description

Mastitis is the inflammation and the redness, the so-called inflammation of the breast tissue. It sometimes involves an infection. In addition to causing swelling and redness, mastitis causes of pain in the breasts and the heat. An infection can also cause a fever and chills.

Mastitis most often affects people who are in the period of lactation. This is called mastitis breastfeeding. But mastitis can occur in people who are not breastfeeding.

Mastitis breastfeeding can cause you to feel run down, making it difficult for the care of your baby. Sometimes mastitis causes people to wean their babies before what that meant. But it continues to breast-feeding is best for you and your baby. This is true even if you are taking an antibiotic.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mastitis can appear suddenly. May be in one or both breasts. Symptoms may include:

  • Breast tenderness or warmth.
  • Swelling of the breasts.
  • Thickening of the breast tissue, or a lump in the breast.
  • Pain or burning sensation all the time, or during breastfeeding.
  • Redness of the skin, often in the form of a wedge pattern. The redness may be more difficult to view in Black or brown the skin.
  • General feeling of discomfort.
  • Fever over 101 ° f (38.3 ° c) or higher.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care professional if you have breast symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The milk that is trapped in the breast is the main cause of mastitis. Other causes include:

  • A blocked milk duct. If the chest does not empty all the way during feeding, one of the milk ducts can get clogged. Then, the milk accumulates, which leads to the infection of the breast.
  • The germs that goes into the chest. The germs from the surface of the skin and of the baby's mouth can enter the milk ducts. This can happen through a crack in the skin of the nipple or through a milk duct opening. Germs can grow in the milk that is left in a breast that is not empty.

Risk factors

The risk factors of mastitis are:

  • Have a history of mastitis.
  • Have sore or cracked nipples.
  • Putting pressure on the chest that restricts the flow of milk. Use a tight bra or the use of a tight seat belt can cause pressure.
  • Not nursing properly.
  • Being too tired or stressed.
  • Eating poorly.
  • The habit of smoking.

Complications

Mastitis is not treated or is due to a blockage of the duct can cause the accumulation of pus in the chest. This is called an abscess. An abscess most often needs to be drained surgically.

To avoid this complication, talk with your health care professional as soon as you get symptoms of mastitis. You may need to take a course of antibiotics.

Prevention

Before you start breast-feeding, think about the meeting with a lactation specialist, call a lactation consultant. This can help prevent complications, such as mastitis.

Reduce your chances of suffering from mastitis by following these tips:

  • Feed your baby on demand or leave out the milk it with his hand, called express, often.
  • Fully draining the milk from the breasts during lactation.
  • Let your baby empty one breast all the way down, before switching to the other breast during breastfeeding.
  • Change of the position you used to breastfeed from one feeding to the next.
  • Make sure your baby is not latching on well during feeding.
  • If you smoke, talk with your healthcare provider about how to stop smoking.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may have an ultrasound of the breast. Your health care professional may carry out, called the aspirate, some of the liquid in her womb. A culture of this fluid can help to find the best antibiotic for you.

A rare form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer, can also cause redness and inflammation that could be confused with mastitis. Your health care professional may suggest a mammogram or ultrasound or both.

If your symptoms do not go away after taking a full course of antibiotics, you may need a biopsy to make sure that you do not have breast cancer. Be sure to follow with your health care professional after taking all of the antibiotics.

Treatment

Mastitis treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics. If you have an infection, a 10-day course of antibiotics is necessary more often. Take all medications. This reduces the risk of the infection coming back. If the infection does not improve after taking antibiotics, contact your health care professional.
  • Pain relievers. You can try a drug that is sold without a prescription, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

It is safe to keep breastfeeding if you have mastitis. Breastfeeding helps to remove the infection. Weaning your baby, suddenly could make your symptoms worse.

You can see a specialist in breastfeeding, call a lactation consultant, help and support. Advice on the best way of feeding could include:

  • Don't let your breasts become too full between meals.
  • Try to get your baby to latch on well. This can be difficult when your chest swells.
  • Letting out a small amount of milk by hand before the chest can help. This is called express.
  • Give a gentle massage in the breast during breastfeeding or pumping the milk. Start in the affected area and move down toward the nipple. Do not press force or pressure.
  • Make sure that your breast is drained all the way during lactation. If you have trouble emptying your breast, put a warm, moist cloth over the breast before breastfeeding or pumping.
  • Breastfeed on the affected side in the first place. This is when your baby is hungry and suck harder.
  • Change positions for breastfeeding.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To help you feel better:

  • Don't let your breasts fill up with too much milk between feedings.
  • Put a cold cloth or an ice bag on her breast after breastfeeding.
  • Wear a bra to support their breasts.
  • Rest as much as you can.

Preparing for your appointment

You may be sent to an obstetrician-gynecologist. For problems related to breastfeeding, you may be referred to a lactation specialist.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Its symptoms, including those that do not seem to be linked to the reason why you made the appointment, and when they began.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dosage.
  • Key medical information, including other conditions.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • My mastitis clear on its own or do I need treatment?
  • What can I do at home to relieve my symptoms?
  • How could my condition affect my baby?
  • If I can keep breast-feeding, is the medicine you're prescribing safe for my baby?
  • How much time do I have to take the medicine?
  • What are the chances that the infection will come back? How can I reduce my risk of return?

Be sure to ask all the questions that you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may ask:

  • Are your symptoms in one or both breasts?
  • How bad is the pain?
  • How do you breastfeed?
  • Have had mastitis before?
Symptoms and treatment of Mastitis