What is mastitis?

What is mastitis?

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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