What is mastitis?
On a
good day, your breasts may be tender. They are always at the forefront, taking
the brunt of every afternoon run and making the little ones bounce. They don't
often get infected, but when they do, it can be as painful as a bad bra or
premenstrual syndrome.
The
common name for breast tissue infection is mastitis. If you are breastfeeding,
this is called lactation or postpartum mastitis. Otherwise, it is called
periductal mastitis. Mastitis can make you feel like you have the flu, but it
can be cured much faster.
Causes
Mastitis
is a common condition in breastfeeding women. This is due to the reflux of milk
into the milk ducts. This happens when your baby doesn't suckle or latch
properly, or prefers one breast over another. Mastitis can also occur if you
don't breastfeed or express milk regularly.
Breastfeeding
women are not the only ones who develop mastitis. If you are not breastfeeding,
a cracked nipple or nipple piercing can cause a breast infection. Both allow
bacteria to enter the milk ducts. This is especially true for women who smoke.
Symptoms
As
with any other infection, the tissue around the infected area becomes inflamed
to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. In mastitis, an
infected milk duct causes the breast to swell. Your breasts may be red, tender,
or warm.
Many
women with mastitis feel as if they have the flu, including body aches, chills,
and a fever of 38.3°C or higher.
You
may also have nipple discharge or a feeling of a hard lump in your chest.
Diagnostics
Symptoms
of mastitis can appear very suddenly. You may feel like you've caught the flu
before you feel discomfort in your chest. When you feel this pain or see
obvious redness, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your
doctor can diagnose mastitis based on a physical exam. It is given away by
fever and chills, as well as a wedge-shaped red area on the chest, indicating
the nipple.
There
are two things to rule out: a breast abscess, which occurs when mastitis is not
treated quickly, and inflammatory breast cancer, which is rare and has common
symptoms of redness and swelling.
Treatment
If you
are not breastfeeding, antibiotics should help you feel better within a day or
two. Take them as directed.
If you
are breastfeeding, taking care of yourself will help you feel better faster.
Drink plenty of water, wear a loose bra, and get as much rest as possible. Your
doctor may suggest ibuprofen or something similar to relieve fever and pain.
It is
important to continue breastfeeding and move this milk in and out of the ducts.
While it may be painful, it won't hurt your baby.
Prevention
Bras
and tight clothes put pressure on the chest. Keep things light and free.
To
prevent milk stasis, make sure your baby is breastfeeding properly and express
all the milk from each breast at every feed. A lactation consultant can help
you if you need support.
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