Madusha (age 29), a mother of a 3-week-old baby, came to my clinic last Tuesday. She was shivering profusely, had a high fever, and was feeling tired.
"Dr. Priya, I've been feeling very cold and feverish since last night. My whole body aches, like I have the flu. One side of my right breast is red, swollen, and painful to the touch. I'm afraid my milk will pass germs to the baby, so I've stopped breastfeeding," Madusha explained her illness.
I examined her and explained: "Madusha, you are facing a condition known as mastitis in medical science. This is an inflammation or infection of the breast tissue, and it is not an infection of the milk at all. Therefore, your breast milk is completely safe for your baby. In fact, continuing to breastfeed is essential for mastitis to heal, and if you stop breastfeeding, there is a risk of milk accumulating in the breast and forming a breast abscess . This is caused by a blocked milk duct or a cracked nipple, allowing bacteria to enter. Today, let's see how to diagnose mastitis and what are the medical treatments for it."
🚨 Red Flags that require immediate medical attention
Mastitis usually begins to heal within 48 hours with proper medical care. However, you should see a doctor immediately if you have any of the following warning signs:
- Fever or breast pain that does not subside after 24-48 hours of taking antibiotics.
- A hard lump in the breast gradually becomes soft, feels fluid-filled, and is very painful (this is a sign of a developing breast abscess).
- Redness in the breast that quickly spreads to the chest or armpit.
- The mother may have extreme cold and shivering, fainting, or difficulty breathing (sepsis - signs of the germs spreading to the bloodstream).
The main causes of mastitis
- Blocked Duct: When milk does not empty completely from the breast (due to the baby not latching on properly or the frequency of breastfeeding is low), milk clots in the milk ducts and blockages occur.
- Bacterial entry: When cracked nipples are injured, bacteria on the surface of the skin can enter the milk ducts and cause an infection.
- Breast engorgement: Breasts become engorged for a long time due to excessive milk production.
- External pressure: Compression of the milk ducts due to wearing tight bras (underwired bras) or sleeping face down.
- Extreme fatigue: The mother's lack of adequate rest leads to a decrease in the body's immunity.
Medical treatment and palliative measures for mastitis
Medical advice and physical therapy methods to cure mastitis are as follows:
1. Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is present, the doctor will prescribe a 10-14 day course of antibiotics. The antibiotic tablets prescribed by the doctor should be taken for the full number of days prescribed.
2. Painkillers: Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used as prescribed by a doctor to control pain and fever (avoid aspirin).
3. Feed and empty frequently: Feed the baby from the affected breast frequently. Warm compresses on the breast before feeding can help the milk flow more easily.
4. Cold Compress After Breastfeeding: After breastfeeding, place a frozen ice pack or a clean, refrigerated cabbage leaf on the breast to reduce pain and swelling.
5. Gently massage the breasts: Gently massage with your fingertips from the area that is tight while breastfeeding towards the nipple.
Do's & Don'ts
| ✔️ Things to do (Do) | ❌ Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Start breastfeeding the baby from the affected breast first (the blockage is easily cleared by sucking). | Do not stop breastfeeding suddenly without medical advice (it increases the risk of abscess formation). |
| The mother should get as much rest as possible and consume plenty of nutritious foods and fluids. | Avoid massaging vigorously, applying excessive pressure to the breast (which damages the tissue). |
| After breastfeeding, empty the breast by expressing the remaining milk by hand or using a breast pump. | When using antibiotics, do not stop taking the medication without completing the prescribed number of days as soon as you feel better. |
❓ Some other questions you may have (FAQ)
Is breastfeeding harmful to the baby when there is mastitis? ▼
No. Bacterial infections in the breast will not affect your milk. Breastfeeding is completely safe because the antibodies in the milk protect the baby from those germs.
How to diagnose a breast abscess? ▼
If mastitis is not treated properly, pus can collect in the breast and form a lump. This is extremely painful and feels soft and fluid-filled when touched. This can be accurately diagnosed with a breast ultrasound test.
Why does severe breast inflammation occur after using antibiotics? ▼
Candida yeast infection can occur when the beneficial bacteria in the body are destroyed due to taking antibiotics. In this case, a severe burning or stabbing pain is felt in the breast during and after breastfeeding. For this, antifungal treatment should be taken on the advice of a doctor.
Is there a link between mastitis and breast cancer? ▼
No. Mastitis is a temporary infection and does not cause breast cancer. However, if a lump or change in the breast does not completely heal after a month of treatment, you should see a doctor to make sure there are no other medical conditions.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment