Mastitis

Mastitis is inflammation of a womans breast. It is common and usually occurs in women who are breast-feeding. Mastitis usually affects only one breast, but may affect both breasts.

Causes

Mastitis occurs when a milk duct in the breast becomes blocked, or the skin around the breast nipple becomes cracked. Both of these situations allow bacteria to enter and infect the breast tissue. Causes of mastitis include pregnancy, breast-feeding, tuberculosis, skin rashes, or, rarely, breast cancer.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition.
  • Previous mastitis
  • Abrasion or cracking of the breast nipple
  • Wearing a bra or clothing that is too tight
  • Missed breast-feeding
  • Irregular breast-feeding
  • Pressure on the breasts, caused by:
    • Sleeping on the stomach
    • Holding the breast too tightly during feeding
    • Baby sleeping on the breast
    • Exercising (especially running) without a support bra
  • Anything that causes too much milk to remain in the breast, including:
    • Baby's teething
    • Use of artificial nipple or pacifier
    • Incorrect positioning of the baby during feedings
    • Abrupt weaning
  • Yeast infection of the breast
  • Low resistance to infection or immune deficiency disorder
  • Psoriasis or other skin conditions that affect the nipple
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Use of cortisone drugs
  • Prior breast surgery or implants
  • Smoking

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Aches, chills, or other flu-like symptoms
  • Redness, tenderness, or swelling of the breast
  • A burning feeling in the breast
  • A hard feeling or tender lump in the breast
  • Pus draining from the nipple
  • Swollen lymph glands in the armpit or above the collar bones

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and examine your breast. If the diagnosis is uncertain, or if Mastitis recurs, your doctor may order the following tests:
  • A culture of your breast milk or nipple discharge
  • A biopsy of the affected area
  • A breast ultrasound, or sound-wave test
  • A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast

Treatment

Treatment may include:
Medication
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. If mastitis does not respond to antibiotics, a localized collection of pus called an abscess might be present. This is usually treated with antibiotics and a drainage procedure or surgery.
Clearing Blocked Breast Ducts
Methods to clear block breast ducts include:
  • Breast-feeding frequently (Breast-feeding with mastitis is not harmful to the baby.)
  • Using a breast pump
  • Applying warm compresses to breasts prior to feeding (to stimulate milk ejection reflex)
  • Offering the baby the infected breast first (to promote complete emptying of infected breast)
Pain Relief
To reduce pain and swelling in the breast:
  • Apply ice compresses to the affected area of your breast after breast-feeding.
  • If your mastitis is not caused by breast-feeding, consider using over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your doctor.
  • If your mastitis is caused by pregnancy or breastfeeding, be sure to ask your doctor what pain relievers are safe for you and your baby. Taking aspirin is not advised during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
  • Drink lots of fluids.
  • Get plenty of rest.

Prevention

If you have Marfan Syndrome:
  • Your first-degree relatives (parents, brothers, and sisters) should be screened for the disorder.
  • You can contact a genetic counselor to determine the risk of your child inheriting Marfan's should you decide to have children.

Prevention

Strategies to help prevent Mastitis include:
  • Prevent engorgement of the breast with milk by:
    • Frequent breast feeding
    • Use of breast pump
  • Wash your hands and breast nipple before breast-feeding.
  • Avoid wearing bras or clothing that is too tight.
  • Avoid sleeping on your breasts, or allowing baby to sleep on your breasts.
  • If your nipples crack, apply lotion or cream as recommended by your doctor.