Breastfeeding breast infection

Breast Infection (Mastitis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

How the Breast Is Built
Breast Infection Causes
Breast Infection Symptoms
When to Seek Medical Care
Breast Infection Exams and Tests
Breast Infection Treatment
Breast Infection Home Remedies
Medications for Mastitis
Surgery for an Abscess
Next Steps
Follow-Up Care After a Breast Infection
Mastitis Prevention
Outlook for Breast Infections

How the Breast Is Built

The breast is composed of several glands and ducts that lead to the nipple and the surrounding colored area called the areola. The milk-carrying ducts extend from the nipple into the underlying breast tissue like the spokes of a wheel. Under the areola are lactiferous ducts. These fill with milk during lactation after a woman has a baby. When a girl reaches puberty, changing hormones cause the ducts to grow and cause fat deposits in the breast tissue to increase. The glands that produce milk (mammary glands) that are connected to the surface of the breast by the lactiferous ducts may extend to the armpit area.

Breast Infection Causes

Mastitis is an infection of the tissue of the breast that occurs most frequently during the time of breastfeeding. It can occur when bacteria, often from the baby's mouth, enter a milk duct through a crack in the nipple.

Breast infections most commonly occur one to three months after the delivery of a baby, but they can occur in women who have not recently delivered and in women after menopause. Other causes of infection include chronic mastitis and a rare form of cancer called inflammatory carcinoma.

In healthy women, mastitis is rare. However, women with diabetes, chronic illness, AIDS, or an impaired immune system may be more susceptible.

About 1%-3% of breastfeeding mothers develop mastitis. Engorgement and incomplete breast emptying can contribute to the problem and make the symptoms worse.

Chronic mastitis occurs in women who are not breastfeeding. In postmenopausal women, breast infections may be associated with chronic inflammation of the ducts below the nipple. Hormonal changes in the body can cause the milk ducts to become clogged with dead skin cells and debris. These clogged ducts make the breast more open to bacterial infection. Infection tends to come back after treatment with antibiotics.

Breast Infection Symptoms

Breast infections may cause pain, redness, and warmth of the breast along with the following symptoms:

Tenderness and swelling
Body aches
Fatigue
Breast engorgement
Fever and chills
Abscess: A breast abscess can be a complication of mastitis. Noncancerous masses such as abscesses are more often tender and frequently feel mobile beneath the skin. The edge of the mass is usually regular and well defined. Indications that this more serious infection has occurred include the following:
- Tender lump in the breast that does not get smaller after breastfeeding a newborn (If the abscess is deep in the breast, you may not be able to feel it. )
- Pus draining from the nipple
- Persistent fever and no improvement of symptoms within 48-72 hours of treatment

When to Seek Medical Care

Call your health care provider as soon as you feel any suspicious lump, whether you are breastfeeding or not. Call for an appointment if:

You have any abnormal discharge from your nipples.
Breast pain is making it difficult for you to function each day.
You have prolonged, unexplained breast pain.
You have any other associated symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain that interferes with breastfeeding, a mass or tender lump in the breast that does not disappear after breastfeeding.
If you are breastfeeding, call your doctor if you develop any symptoms of breast infection so that treatment may be started promptly.

You may need to be evaluated in a hospital's emergency department if the breast pain is associated with other signs of an infection (such as a fever, swelling, or redness to the breast) and if your health care provider cannot see you promptly. The below symptoms require emergency treatment:

A persistent high fever greater than 101.5°F
Nausea or vomiting that is preventing you from taking the antibiotics as prescribed
Pus draining from the breast
Red streaks extending toward your arm or chest
Dizziness, fainting, or confusion

Breast Infection Exams and Tests

The diagnosis of mastitis and a breast abscess can usually be made based on a physical exam.

If it is unclear whether a mass is due to a fluid-filled abscess or to a solid mass such as a tumor, a test such as an ultrasound may be done. An ultrasound may also be helpful in distinguishing between simple mastitis and abscess or in diagnosing an abscess deep in the breast. This noninvasive test allows your doctor to directly visualize the abscess by placing an ultrasound probe over your breast. If an abscess is confirmed, aspiration or surgical drainage, and IV antibiotics, are often required.
Cultures may be taken, either of breast milk or of material taken out of an abscess through a syringe, to determine the type of organism causing the infection. This information can help your doctor decide what kind of antibiotic to use.
Nonbreastfeeding women with mastitis, or those who do not respond to treatment, may have a mammogram or breast biopsy. This is a precautionary measure because a rare type of breast cancer can produce symptoms of mastitis.

Breast Infection Treatment

Breast infections require treatment by a health care provider.

Breast Infection Home Remedies

After you see a doctor, try the following to help your breast infection heal.

Pain medication: Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) for pain. These drugs are safe while breastfeeding and will not harm your baby. Your doctor may prescribe a prescription strength pain reliever if your pain is severe and not relieved with over-the-counter medication.
In mild cases of mastitis, antibiotics may not be prescribed at all. If you are prescribed antibiotics, finishing the prescription even if you feel better in a few days is very important.
Frequent feedings: Do not stop breastfeeding from the affected breast, even though it will be painful and you may be taking antibiotics. Frequent emptying of the breast prevents engorgement and clogged ducts that can only make mastitis worse.
- If needed, use a breast pump to relieve pressure and completely empty the breast.
- You can also breastfeed from the unaffected side and supplement with infant formula as needed.
- The infection will not harm the baby because the germs that caused the infection probably came from the baby’s mouth in the first place.
- Breastfeeding should be avoided in the infected breast when an abscess is present.
Pain relief: A warm compress applied before and after feedings can often provide some relief. A warm bath may work as well.
- If heat is ineffective, ice packs applied after feedings may provide some comfort and relief.
- Avoid using ice packs just before breastfeeding because it can slow down milk flow.
- Drink plenty of water -- at least 10 glasses a day. Eat well-balanced meals and add 500 extra calories a day while breastfeeding. Dehydration and poor nutrition can decrease milk supply and make you feel worse.

Medications for Mastitis

For simple mastitis without an abscess, oral antibiotics are prescribed. Cephalexin (Keflex) and dicloxacillin (Dycill) are two of the most common antibiotics chosen, but a number of others are available. The antibiotic prescribed will depend on your specific situation, your doctor’s preference, and any drug allergies you may have. This medicine is safe to use while breastfeeding and will not harm the baby.

Chronic mastitis in nonbreastfeeding women can be complicated. Recurrent episodes of mastitis are common. Occasionally, this type of infection responds poorly to antibiotics. Therefore, close follow-up with your doctor is mandatory.

If the infection worsens in spite of oral antibiotics or if you have a deep abscess requiring surgical treatment, you may be admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics.

Surgery for an Abscess

If an abscess is present, it must be drained. After injection of a local anesthetic, the doctor may drain an abscess near the surface of the skin either by aspiration with a needle and syringe or by using a small incision. This can be done in the doctor’s office or emergency department.

If the abscess is deep in the breast, however, it may require surgical drainage in the operating room. This procedure is usually done under general anesthesia to minimize pain and completely drain the abscess. Antibiotics and heat on the area are also used to treat abscesses.

Next Steps

Mastitis does not cause cancer, but cancer can mimic mastitis in appearance. If a breast infection is slow to go away, your health care provider may recommend a mammogram or other tests to rule out cancer.

Follow-Up Care After a Breast Infection

If you have a breast infection, you may be seen for a recheck in 24-48 hours.

Take all antibiotics as prescribed.
Take your temperature three times a day for the first 48 hours after treatment begins. Watch for fever.
Call your doctor if you develop a high fever, vomiting, or increasing redness, swelling, or pain in the breast.
Follow up with your doctor in one to two weeks to make sure that the infection has gone away. If the infection spreads or an abscess develops, you may require IV antibiotics or surgical treatment.

Mastitis Prevention

Sometimes mastitis is unavoidable. Some women are more susceptible than others, especially those who are breastfeeding for the first time. In general, good habits to prevent mastitis include the following:

Breastfeed equally from both breasts.
Empty breasts completely to prevent engorgement and blocked ducts.
Use good breastfeeding techniques to prevent sore, cracked nipples.
Allow sore or cracked nipples to air dry.
Prevent moisture from accumulating in breast pads or bras.
Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.
Practice careful hygiene: Handwashing, cleaning the nipples, keeping your baby clean.

Outlook for Breast Infections

When treated promptly, the majority of breast infections go away quickly and without serious complications. Most women can and should continue to breastfeed despite an episode of uncomplicated mastitis. With proper treatment, symptoms should begin to resolve within one to two days.

A breast abscess may require surgical drainage, IV antibiotics, and a short hospital stay. A small incision is made and usually heals quite well. Prognosis for complete recovery is also good.

Postmenopausal women with breast abscesses have a high rate of return after simple drainage and frequently need to follow up with a surgeon for more definitive treatment. Chronic infection can result if an abscess is not completely drained, and this can result in a poor cosmetic outcome.

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Plugged Ducts, Mastitis, and Thrush

Many moms face temporary issues such as plugged ducts, breast infections, and thrush. These challenges can make sticking with breastfeeding hard, especially when putting your baby to your breast may be the last thing you want do. But there are steps you can take to get relief. Your WIC breastfeeding staff can help you get back to breastfeeding comfortably.

Plugged Milk Ducts

Plugged ducts are a common concern in breastfeeding moms. A plugged milk duct feels like a tender, sore lump or knot in the breast. It happens when a milk duct does not drain properly. Pressure builds up behind the plugged duct, and the tissue around it gets irritated. This usually happens in one breast at a time.

Several things can cause plugged ducts:

Severe engorgement,
Regularly breastfeeding on only one breast,
Skipping feedings or not feeding as often as usual, or
Pressure against the milk ducts. A diaper bag strap or car seat belt pressing across your chest can cause it. So can wearing a bra that is too tight.

Here are a few tips to help you get relief:

Take a hot shower or apply warm, moist cloths over the plugged duct and the rest of your breast.
Massage your breast from the plugged duct down to the nipple before and during breastfeeding.
Breastfeed frequently and use different positions.
Empty the affected breast first.
Wear a well-fitting, supportive bra that is not too tight. Consider trying a bra without an underwire.
Rely on others to help you get extra sleep or relax. This will speed healing. Sometimes a plugged duct is a sign that you are doing too much.

If you have plugged ducts that keep coming back, get help from a WIC breastfeeding expert or a lactation consultant.

Breast Infection, or Mastitis

Mastitis is a breast infection. It may feel sore like a plugged duct. It may happen when you're stressed or have changes in your usual routine. This may be when guests are visiting, during the holidays, or when you're returning to work. It is not always easy to tell the difference between a breast infection and a plugged duct. They have similar symptoms, and both can get better within a day or two.

But the mastitis may also include other signs, like these:

Flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue.
Yellowish discharge from the nipple that looks like colostrum.
Breasts that feel tender, warm, or hot to the touch and appear pink or red.

If you have any signs of mastitis, or if you do not feel better within 24 hours of trying the tips for relief, contact your doctor.

The same tips for plugged ducts may help with mastitis. Apply heat, get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and breastfeed often. In addition, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection that forms on the nipples or in the breast. This infection is also sometimes called a yeast infection. Thrush may have these signs:

Sore nipples that last more than a few days, even after your baby has a good latch.
Sore nipples after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding.
Pink, flaky, shiny, itchy, cracked, or blistered nipples.
Achy breasts or shooting pains deep in the breast during or after feedings.
White spots on inside of baby's cheeks, tongue, or gums.

If you have concerns of a fungal infection, call both your doctor and your baby's doctor. That way, you both can be correctly diagnosed and treated at the same time. This will help keep you from passing the infection back and forth.

Mastitis: symptoms and treatment | Philips Avent

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breastfeeding - one of the most natural processes for a woman, but it is not always easy. Along with the individual aspects of breastfeeding, there are some general problems that new breastfeeding mothers may face.

One of them is mastitis, an inflammatory disease that causes tenderness and tenderness in the breast tissue.

The frequency of lactational mastitis among women in different countries ranges from 2% to 33% and averages about 10%*.

Mastitis in breastfeeding women is caused by a bacterial infection of the milk ducts that enters through cracks, irritation of the nipple, or a nipple piercing.

Lactational mastitis is dangerous because it can cause pain while breastfeeding, interfere with the bonding process between mother and baby, or even interfere with milk production.

To protect the health and comfort of mother and baby, and the mother's milk supply, this problem must be addressed urgently.

So, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about mastitis and the fight against it: “How does mastitis occur?”, “What are the symptoms of mastitis?” and "Is it possible to breastfeed with mastitis?".

Ask your doctor for more information.

Signs of mastitis

What does mastitis feel like? In addition to pain and discomfort, symptoms of mastitis can also include fatigue and a feeling of exhaustion.

How mastitis manifests:

fever (>38.5°C) and/or flu-like symptoms;
nausea;
vomiting;
yellowish discharge from the nipple;
chest warm or hot to the touch;
pink or red breasts.

These symptoms of mastitis are similar to the symptoms of breast engorgement, but there is a fundamental difference between these conditions. Mastitis differs from engorgement in that it usually only affects one breast, not both.

Causes of mastitis

Mastitis can develop in a new mother at any time, but it usually occurs within the first two to three weeks after childbirth. A common cause of this disease is long breaks between feedings - for example, when the baby begins to sleep through the night.

Other possible causes of mastitis are:

improper breastfeeding;
incomplete outflow of milk from the mammary glands, for example, due to blockage of the milk duct;
unattended breast engorgement;
regular pressure on some part of the breast, wearing tight clothing;
chest injury caused by injury or impact.

In short: mastitis usually develops as a result of too much milk in the breast, known as milk stasis. Stagnation of milk provokes the growth of bacteria, which causes mastitis and symptoms of pain and fever. Therefore, to prevent mastitis and stagnation of milk, it is important to make sure that it is removed from the breast properly.

Blockage of the milk ducts can also be the cause. Mastitis is indeed caused by milk stagnation or too long milk in the breast, but this condition and the subsequent symptoms of mastitis - fever and pain - are precisely due to the rapid multiplication of bacteria due to milk stagnation.

Prevention of mastitis while breastfeeding

The good news is that there are many ways to prevent mastitis. Below you will find some tips on how to avoid mastitis.

1. Care for your breasts to prevent nipple irritation. Proper breast care can help prevent mastitis by gently massaging and keeping your nipples dry with soft bra pads.

Find out more about breast care in our article here.

2. Feed your baby often. For complete emptying of the breast, it is important to feed regularly and on time. Even if the baby is sleeping, it should be woken up when it's time for feeding. If the mother cannot be with the baby during feeding, she should express milk from the breast using a breast pump.

Choose an easy-to-use breastpump, such as a single electric breastpump. It allows you to express gently and naturally thanks to the special Natural Motion technology. Many of the complications of breastfeeding can be avoided if the baby latch on properly. Try different breastfeeding positions to find one in which the baby will properly latch onto the breast. This will help prevent mastitis and other problems. We talk more about breastfeeding positions in the article at the link.

4. Wean your baby gradually. To minimize the chance of complications, it is necessary to reduce milk production by gradually reducing the number of breastfeeds.

If you're interested in stopping breastfeeding, check out our tips for weaning your baby in the article here.

Treatment of mastitis in women

One of the most common questions that breastfeeding mothers face with mastitis is: “Can I continue to breastfeed?” Answer: yes. What's more, breastfeeding for mastitis can help clear the infection without causing harm or side effects.

An important point: if you have symptoms of mastitis, contact your doctor immediately. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to relieve symptoms of mastitis after making sure that the prescribed drug is safe for breastfeeding.

Mastitis can be uncomfortable, but there is no reason to panic or despair. This is a common problem that many new mothers experience when breastfeeding for the first time. By following the advice in this article, you can reduce the likelihood of developing mastitis, but if something bothers you, you should seek the help of a specialist.

Articles and tips from Philips Avent

*Lactational mastitis and lactostasis: tactical contraversion. O.A. Void. Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, 2013

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Laktostasis symptoms and treatment

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One of the most common problems breastfeeding mothers face is blocked milk ducts, also known as milk stasis or lactostasis. What sensations arise with a clogged milk duct? A sensitive seal appears in the chest, and slight pain and discomfort may occur.

We'll cover the most common questions about this problem and provide all the important information about blocked ducts, from the symptoms of blocked ducts in the breast to treatments and tips to prevent the condition.

If you need more information, ask someone else.

Signs of blocked milk duct

What is blocked milk duct and how is it different from other breast conditions like mastitis? Blockage of the milk duct, also known as milk stasis or lactostasis, is a condition in which a milk clot forms in the breast, preventing milk from flowing out of the duct. A painful lump forms in the chest, and there may be a feeling of discomfort around it.

Common symptoms of blockage of the breast duct are:

- pain in a certain area of the breast;

- painful lump in the mammary gland the size of a pea or more;

- slight increase in temperature in the area of blockage;

- sometimes a small white bubble forms on the nipple.

In a nutshell, duct blockage is the formation of a localized lump in the chest that causes discomfort in the absence of any other signs of illness or fever. If there is a fever or flu-like symptoms and if the chest feels hot to the touch, it may be mastitis.

More information on symptoms and treatment for mastitis can be found here.

Causes of blockage of the breast duct

Blockage of the milk duct can occur for several reasons:

incomplete flow of milk from the breast during feeding;
incorrect attachment of the child, because of which he cannot fully suckle the breast;
engorgement;
excess milk production;
abrupt cessation of breastfeeding;
putting pressure on the mammary gland: for example, wearing tight clothing that squeezes the chest.

Blockage of the milk duct usually occurs as a result of incomplete emptying of the breast or excessive pressure on the breast for a long period of time.

How to remove blockage of the milk duct?

To prevent a breast infection, it is important to find a way to clear the blocked milk duct as soon as possible.

Here's what to do if your milk duct is blocked:

Continue breastfeeding. If the milk duct is blocked, you should continue to feed the baby and try to do it so that the baby sucks out all the milk. You can also try breastfeeding a baby with a blocked duct every two hours. This will help keep the milk flowing and possibly clear blockages. Continuous stimulation of the flow of milk is the key to eliminating blockage of the duct.

These bra pads help prevent milk stains on clothing while breastfeeding. Their porous top layer and excellent absorbency will help keep clothes dry and comfortable.

Massage and express between feeds. Before each feeding, it is recommended that the mother massage the breast with stroking movements from the periphery of the breast to the nipple. This stimulates the flow of milk even before the start of feeding. After breastfeeding, a mother can express any milk left in a breast with a blocked duct to ensure that the ducts are completely emptied. Stimulating the flow of milk can help prevent blockages in the milk ducts, but there are times when a mother cannot be with her baby during breastfeeding. To stimulate the flow of milk in such situations, it is very important to express milk manually.

Check out these manual breast pumps for expressing milk anywhere, anytime.

Latch the baby correctly to the breast. Attaching the baby to the breast in such a way that his chin is directed towards the blocked duct can help solve the problem. Such attachment to the breast will help the baby, when sucking, empty exactly the area of \u200b\u200bthe mammary gland where there is a blockage. You can try to apply the baby in different ways, so that it is more convenient for him to extract all the milk from different parts of the breast.
Apply warm and cold compresses. As compresses, you can use a towel, as well as thermal pads 2 in 1. It is recommended to apply a warm thermal pad to the area of the clogged duct several times a day, while doing a light massage. Breast discomfort after feedings can be alleviated somewhat by using cooled thermal pads.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. One of the causes of blockage of the milk ducts is excessive pressure on the mammary glands for an extended period of time. This pressure can be exerted by tight clothing or bras, so it is important to wear loose clothing to clear a blocked duct. Sometimes mothers also notice clogged pores on their breasts - loose clothing and a bra will also help to cope with this problem.
Tight clothing encourages more sweating and prevents sweat from evaporating, resulting in clogged pores. Moms should wear loose-fitting clothing to clear clogged pores and clear blocked milk ducts.

If following these tips fails to open the milk duct, it is recommended that you contact your doctor or lactation consultant to prevent infection.

How to prevent clogged milk ducts?

Every mother would like to avoid the problem of blocked milk ducts altogether. No one will give a 100% guarantee against blockage of the milk ducts, but you can try to prevent it by using a few useful tips.

After each feeding, check that there is no feeling of fullness and discomfort in the chest. If it is, then it is necessary to additionally express milk, until a feeling of comfort.
Feed your baby regularly for as long and as often as he wants
Express milk between feedings if you experience discomfort and fullness in your breasts.
Place the baby on the breast without undue pressure.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bralettes.

When should I seek professional help?

When a blockage of the milk duct occurs, the mother should not panic. Despite the discomfort and pain, this condition is quite normal and usually goes away if treated immediately.

If you want to know how to clear a blocked milk duct, or if you are feeling a blocked milk duct, you should seek help from your doctor.

Find out more about other common breastfeeding problems and how to deal with them.