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Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, which may also involve an infection. Common symptoms include breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness, often accompanied by fever and chills.
This condition can affect anyone, but it is most seen in women who are breastfeeding (known as lactation mastitis). Nevertheless, mastitis can also occur in women who are not breastfeeding and even in men.
Lactation mastitis can be challenging for a breastfeeding mother, as it can make her feel fatigued and unwell, making it difficult to care for her baby. In some cases, mastitis may lead a mother to wean her baby earlier than planned. However, it is advised to continue breastfeeding, even while undergoing antibiotic treatment for mastitis, as it benefits both the mother and the baby.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of mastitis can manifest suddenly and may include:
- Swelling of the breast.
- Tenderness of the breast or warmth to the touch
- Pain or a burning sensation continuously or while breast-feeding.
- Breast tissue thickening, or a breast lump.
- Skin redness, often in a wedge-shaped pattern
- General feelings of unwellness.
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
If you experience any breast symptoms that worry you, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor.
Causes
The primary cause of mastitis is milk that becomes trapped in the breast. Other contributing factors may include:
- Blocked milk duct: One of the milk ducts may clog when a breast does not completely empty during feedings. A breast infection results from the milk building up due to this obstruction.
- Bacteria in the breast: Bacteria from your skin and baby’s mouth can enter the milk ducts through a crack in your nipple or a milk duct opening. If milk stays in the breast without being fully emptied, it gives these bacteria a chance to grow and multiply.
Risk factors
The following risk factors of mastitis includes:
- Nipples that are sore or cracked, however mastitis can still occur without skin breaks.
- History of mastitis while breast-feeding
- The use of a seat belt, a tight-fitting bra, or placing pressure on the breast while carrying a large bag can all prevent milk production.
- Improper nursing technique
- Exhausted or stressed.
- Having poor nutrition
- Smoking
Diagnosis
Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare kind of the disease, can also exhibit redness and swelling at first and first resemble mastitis. The following procedure will assist the healthcare provider to properly diagnose mastitis.
- Physical Examination: The healthcare provider will conduct a clinical examination of the breast, focusing on identifying signs of inflammation such as redness, localized tenderness, increased warmth, engorgement, and swelling. Additionally, any signs of nipple damage will be noted.
- Culture test: A sample of your breast milk may be collected for a culture test. This helps the doctor determine the most effective antibiotic treatment, particularly in cases of severe infection.
- Imaging Test: The healthcare provider may recommend imaging tests like mammography, ultrasound, or both. These tests are important to rule out any potential malignant involvement or breast cancer.
- Biopsy: If symptoms persist even after completing the antibiotic course, a biopsy may be necessary to definitively rule out breast cancer as the cause of the symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment for mastitis aims to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain while also preventing the occurrence of infection. Treatment may include the following:
- Antibiotics: A 10-day antibiotic program is often needed in infections. To reduce the risk of recurrence, it is essential to finish the entire course of medicine that has been given. It is crucial to follow up with a healthcare provider for additional assessment and care if the mastitis symptoms continue despite taking antibiotics.
- Pain relievers: The healthcare provider may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help manage the discomfort associated with mastitis.
Continuing to breastfeed while experiencing mastitis is safe and can even aid in clearing the infection. Abruptly weaning your baby is likely to exacerbate your symptoms and make the condition worse. Therefore, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding to help alleviate the mastitis and support your overall health.
Patients may receive a referral to a lactation consultant from their doctor to receive assistance and ongoing support. Some recommendations for modifying breast-feeding techniques could involve the following:
- Avoiding breast engorgement: Encourage frequent, regular feedings to prevent excessive breast fullness before breastfeeding sessions.
- Correct latch-on technique: Ensure your infant latches onto the breast correctly, even when dealing with engorgement. If needed, consider expressing a small amount of milk by hand before nursing to facilitate proper latch.
- Breast massage during feeding or pumping: Employ gentle massage from the affected area towards the nipple while breastfeeding or pumping to alleviate discomfort and aid milk flow.
- Complete breast drainage: To promote optimal milk removal, ensure the breast is thoroughly emptied during each feeding. Applying warm, moist heat to the breast before nursing or pumping can help with challenging areas.
- Strategic feeding on the affected side: Begin breastfeeding on the engorged or tender side first, when your baby is hungrier and more eager to nurse, which may improve milk removal and reduce discomfort.
- Varied breastfeeding positions: Experiment with different breastfeeding positions to identify the most comfortable and effective one for both mother and baby.
