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| Mastitis |
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| What is Mastitis? |
| Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast, usually
accompanied by an infection. It may be Lactational Mastitis or Nonlactational
mastitis. |
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| What is lactational mastitis? How is it treated? |
This is the most common type of breast infection,
which occurs when a woman is breastfeeding. The woman's nipples become cracked
and sore, allowing bacteria from the baby’s mouth to enter the ducts and
rapidly multiply in the milk. Occasionally, infection may arise from a blocked
milk duct. In both cases, the breast becomes hard, reddened, hot, and painful.
Treatment for lactational mastitis will be determined by a doctor, who may
suggest trying to unblock the duct with warm compresses and massage. Antibiotics
to control the infection and an analgesic for the pain may be prescribed.
In some cases, lactational mastitis progresses and forms an abscess - a
more serious condition that may require drainage. |
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| What is nonlactational mastitis? |
| Nonlactational mastitis is similar to lactational
mastitis but occurs in nonlactating women. In some cases, this condition
occurs in women who have had removal of lumps in the breast followed by
radiation therapy, in women with diabetes, or in women whose immune systems
are depressed. While this condition is rare, it is usually accompanied by
high fever and headache and treated with antibiotics. A doctor will have
to be consulted for correct diagnosis and treatment. |
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| What is chronic subareolar abscess? |
Chronic subareolar abscess is another type of breast
infection, which is not as common as the infections mentioned above. It
was thought that this infection was due to a blocked duct. But it is now
believed that the glands that make sebaceous material around the nipple
become infected, causing an abscess. If the infection is detected early
before the formation of the abscess, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to make an incision and drain the abscess.
It is very important to consult a doctor when a woman has any symptoms related
to the breast. |
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| A Note: |
| If the doctor has performed an incision and drained
the pus from the infected breast, a woman should not breast feed her child
from that breast. She should use a breast pump to periodically remove the
milk, so that the breast will not become inflamed once again. |
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| This page was last modified on July 05, 2001 |
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