A condition in which the breast tissue becomes red and swollen (also called inflammation) is called mastitis. It is often caused by an infection. Some people with mastitis may experience breast pain, warmth, fever, and chills.
Commonly, this breast condition occurs in women who are breastfeeding (lactation mastitis). However, mastitis may happen in people who are not breastfeeding.
Those who suffer from lactation mastitis may experience continuous tiredness, which makes it difficult to take care of their babies. In some cases, mothers wean their babies earlier due to this painful condition. Some women may continue breastfeeding because it is better for the baby, despite administering antibiotics.
Symptoms
In most cases, mastitis symptoms appear suddenly and may affect either one or both breasts. Check below some examples:
- Skin redness
- A burning feeling or persistent pain
- Swelling, tenderness, or warmth
- Fever of 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C)
If any of the previous symptoms occur or any others that cause concerns, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
The primary cause of this condition is trapped milk in the breast. However, it may happen due to other causes as well. These include:
- A blocked milk duct – When the breast does not empty completely during feedings, one of the milk ducts may become clogged. As a result, the milk goes back up, causing an infection.
- Germs that enter the breast – In some cases, the germs from the skin surface and the baby’s mouth may enter the milk ducts. Therefore, these germs begin to multiply in the milk ducts and stay in the breast that is not emptied. It often happens when there is a crack in the nipple skin or a milk duct opening.
Risk Factors
There are some factors that could elevate your risk of developing mastitis. These include:
- Sores or cracked nipples
- A medical history of mastitis
- Pressure on the breast that restricts milk flow
- Not nursing properly
- Poor eating
- Smoking
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue) or persistent stress
What Are The Potential Complications of Mastitis?
Without treatment, this condition may cause pus to build up in the breast (also known as an abscess). Commonly, abscesses require surgery to drain the pus. However, you can consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or prevent mastitis complications. Most women require a course of antibiotics, especially if they have a history of mastitis.
How to Prevent Mastitis?
It is advised to consult with a breastfeeding specialist (also known as a lactation consultant) before you begin breastfeeding. It may help reduce the risk of complications. Check below some tips that may help prevent mastitis:
- Feed the baby on demand or remove the excessive milk with your hand (frequently called expressing)
- You should fully drain the milk from the breasts while breastfeeding
- It is recommended to let the baby empty one breast completely before switching to another one.
- Regularly change the position you use to breastfeed from one feeding to the next
- Quit smoking (if you face problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your healthcare professional)
Diagnosis
Usually, to diagnose this condition is enough to perform a physical examination. Physicians may also ask some questions about your medical history and symptoms. When it is not clear, physicians may perform an ultrasound. To determine which antibiotic is best for you, doctors may remove a small amount of fluid from your breast for a culture test.
However, there is a rare type of breast cancer that causes similar symptoms to mastitis, such as swelling and redness. Thus, physicians often perform a mammogram or an ultrasound to confirm or rule out this rare breast cancer.
If symptoms continue to appear even after a full course of antibiotics, doctors may perform additional tests (such as a biopsy). It is very important to inform your doctor about the symptoms after treatment with antibiotics.
Treatment
Check below some treatments often recommended by doctors for people with mastitis:
- Antibiotics – This group of medicines is usually recommended for people with mastitis. It also helps reduce the risk of recurrent infection. When the symptoms persist despite a course of antibiotics, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
- Painkillers – You can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to lessen pain caused by the disease. These include Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and others.
Commonly, it is safe to continue breastfeeding because milk flow helps clear the infection. Sometimes, weaning the baby too early may worsen the symptoms of the disease. Check some recommendations on the best way to breastfeed below:
- Make sure your baby latches well
- Gently massage the breast while breastfeeding or pumping milk. Never press hard on the breast.
- You should make sure that the breast drains completely during breastfeeding and do not let the breasts fill too much between feedings.
- It is advised to breastfeed on the affect side because the baby is hungrier and suck harder.
- Drink plenty of liquids
Frequently Asked Questions
Will mastitis heal on its own?
In some cases, breast infections clear on their own, but if the symptoms persist for more than 2 days, you should see a doctor. You can also take some anti-inflammatory medicines that help temporarily reduce the symptoms.
How long does mastitis last?
People usually recover within 2 weeks with early detection and proper treatment. Otherwise, surgery may be needed to treat the condition.
What happens if mastitis is left untreated?
If you do not get treatment for this condition, it may lead to certain complications. Check some examples below:
- Chronic mastitis
- Breast scarring
- Damage to milk ducts
- Spread of infection to other parts of the body, such as to the bloodstream (also known as sepsis)
- Abscesses
Consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of complications or how to avoid them. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
