Mastitis and breast abscess

Mastitis is breast inflammation that leads to local tenderness, redness and fever. Milk flow from the affected breast is difficult. Fever, dizziness, malaise and headache may also occur.

If mastitis is not recognized at an early stage, it can turn into an abscess (formation of a local purulent collection). The area of the breast with the abscess is hot, painful, full of fluid, swollen or a purulent discharge may appear.

There is no consensus among experts on whether the term mastitis always means a bacterial infection; it is certainly always an inflammatory process. The most common cause of acute mastitis is pyogenic staphylococcus, which produces toxins responsible for symptoms such as fever, chills, malaise, and in the most severe cases, breast abscess. Mastitis can also be caused by fungi, especially if the child has oral thrush. During acute mastitis, you may feel very bad; you will quickly get much better with proper treatment.

It most often occurs in the first weeks after childbirth, although it can occur at any time during lactation. Unlike breast engorgement and plugged milk ducts, mastitis occurs in one breast!

Causes of mastitis

All the factors that lead to breast engorgement also contribute to the development of mastitis.

Cracked nipples.
An infection that is transmitted from the nipple through the milk ducts into the breast.
Improperly emptied or untreated plugged milk ducts.
Infection in the baby's mouth.
Sudden interruption of breastfeeding.

Treatment of mastitis

Contact your doctor and use medications against infection, pain and fever on the doctor's advice.
Antibiotic treatment is necessary if the mother has a fever for more than 24 hours, if symptoms persist after 24 hours of frequent and efficient breastfeeding or breast emptying, if the mother's condition deteriorates.
Do not stop breastfeeding (unless recommended by the doctor).
Make sure the baby is correctly positioned on the breast and correct the position if necessary.
After each breastfeed, express milk from the affected breast.
Apply cold compresses after expressing for up to 15 minutes every hour.
Rest as much as possible until the infection recedes, but without interrupting breastfeeding (the mother is resting, not the breast!).

If mastitis recurs, the same region is always affected, redness and swelling do not pass, consider the presence of an abscess (ultrasound examination of the breast is recommended and, based on the findings, consult a surgeon). If an abscess occurs, surgical treatment (incision and drainage) is necessary.

If you have questions or doubts about lactation and milk production in the breasts, call the "Hello Baby" telephone counseling service of the Belgrade City Institute of Public Health. The visiting nurses on phone duty (24/7) at at 011/7158-444 will provide you with professional assistance and advice, and help you calm down.