Mastitis
(Breast Infection)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Mastitis
To determine if you have mastitis, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms. No tests are usually required for breast-feeding women.
However, if you are not breast-feeding, your doctor may request certain tests to better understand your condition. These may include mammography or a biopsy (a tissue sample).
Treating and Preventing Mastitis
Women who are breast-feeding and have mastitis should:
- get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids
- apply a warm, moist cloth to the affected area several times a day
- breast-feed frequently and use different breast-feeding positions to help unplug the affected milk duct
Antibiotics may also be used to treat mastitis when symptoms continue for more than 24 hours despite rest, heat, and frequent nursing. If antibiotics are prescribed, completing the antibiotic treatment is crucial to preventing a recurrence of the infection. Always take the medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Mothers who are breast-feeding are typically encouraged to continue nursing their babies while receiving treatment for mastitis. Breast-feeding can help clear plugged ducts, which will reduce the accumulation of milk and help the infant maintain proper nursing techniques. In general, mothers do not have to worry about harming the health of their baby as the antibiotics used to treat these infections are usually safe for breast-feeding.
Many mothers with mastitis worry about passing the infection to their infant. It is important to understand that breast milk contains many antibacterial components that protect the infant from infection.
Breast abscesses usually require surgical drainage along with the use of antibiotics. This procedure can be done using a local anesthetic, but sometimes requires sedatives.
Preventing future breast infections is possible. Try wearing well-fitted bras, breast-feed your infant frequently to keep milk ducts from plugging, avoid carrying heavy items over your shoulders (e.g., a purse, diaper bags, etc.), and use several different positions while breast-feeding to help drain different areas of the breast.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Mastitis
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