Mastitis is inflammation of the breast and is seen almost exclusively in women. It is especially common among women who are breastfeeding. Mastitis usually affects only one breast, but may affect both breasts.
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, breastfeeding, tuberculosis , skin rashes, or, rarely, breast cancer . This article will focus on symptoms and treatment of lactation-associated mastitis.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
Symptoms may include:
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:
Treatment may include:
Antibiotics are generally used to treat the infection and there is evidence that they may reduce the duration of symptoms. Whether antibiotics are necessary for a cure or to reduce the risk of more serious, but rare complications, such as bloodstream infection, is unknown.
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. The bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for many cases of bacterial mastitis and most abscesses, but in recent years “staph” has become resistant to many of the commonly used antibiotics. Resistant bacteria have so far only rarely been reported in association with mastitis, but it seems likely that antibiotic resistance will eventually be seen in mastitis, probably requiring a change in the usual antibiotics chosen for this infection.
Methods to clear blocked breast ducts include:
To reduce pain and swelling in the breast:
If you are diagnosed with mastitis, follow your doctor's instructions .
Strategies to help prevent mastitis include:
RESOURCES:
The American Medical Association Women's Association
http://www.amwa-doc.org/
National Women's Health Information Center
http://4woman.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/index.cfm/
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://www.aap.org/ .
Amir L. Breastfeeding and Staphylococcus aureus : three case reports. Breastfeed Rev . 2002;10:15-18.
Barbosa-Cesnik C, Schwartz K, Foxman B. Lactation mastitis. JAMA . 2003;289:1609-1612.
Laibl VR, Sheffield JS, Roberts S, McIntire DD, Trevino S, Wendel GD Jr. Clinical presentation of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol . 2005;106:461-465.
Medline Plus website. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001490.htm .
The Merck Manual of Medical Information . 17th ed. Simon and Schuster, Inc; 2000.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC, FACOG
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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