Skip to content
Breast infections occur when bacteria invade the breasts leading to inflammation, also known as mastitis. It is widespread in women, especially those who are breastfeeding. This blog will go through some
breast infection symptoms, the different types of infection, and their possible remedies. Mastitis is very common in breastfeeding women and can occur during the first six or 12 weeks of breastfeeding. However, even men and women who aren’t breastfeeding
can get an infection, and these are the factors and conditions that increase their chance of developing mastitis: There are different types of breast infections that you can get in your breasts. These include: Some breast infection symptoms that women usually experience include:
People may also have abscesses. – This is a complication of mastitis, and if a person has noncancerous masses, these are usually tender, and their edge feels regular and well defined. If a patient has a severe infection, they have pus coming out from the nipples, persistent fever, or symptoms that don’t improve with treatment within 48-72 hours. Breast Infection CausesThis section will cover breast infection causes and why mastitis occurs mostly in women who breastfeed. An infection develops when the milk ducts or cracks in the skin allow the bacteria to enter the breast tissue. It can also develop when a milk duct is blocked with milk accumulation or when the patient does not use the correct breastfeeding technique. That said, breast infection causes include:
Breast Infection DiagnosisA physical exam can help determine whether a patient has a breast infection or abscess. In some cases, we may also recommend other tests, such as:
Mastitis TreatmentBreast infection can sometimes go away without treatment, but your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics, and the condition should disappear within ten days. Sometimes, it can also clear up within three weeks. Your physician may also recommend taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation. Natural remedies that may help include:
MedicationsIf a patient has simple mastitis but no abscess, the doctor may recommend oral antibiotics such as cephalexin or dicloxacillin. There are other antibiotics available for a breast infection, and these depend on your signs of breast infection, the doctor’s preference, and whether you are allergic to any drug ingredients. These are also safe for breastfeeding women as they do not harm the baby. Non-breastfeeding women can have chronic mastitis, which can be complicated. This infection may not respond well to treatment, so the patient may have to attend follow-up appointments with their doctor. SurgeryIf a patient has an abscess, the doctor injects a local anesthetic to drain this using a small incision or aspiration with a needle and syringe. If there is an abscess deep in the breast tissue, this may require surgical drainage. We perform this under general anesthesia to help reduce pain and drain the abscess. We can also treat abscesses with antibiotics and heat. PreventionWomen who are breastfeeding can do the following to reduce the chance of a breast infection:
Follow-up CareWe recommend our patients to do the following if they have received a diagnosis for a breast infection:
When to Seek Medical HelpWe urge our patients to seek medical help if they feel a suspicious lump, regardless if they’re breastfeeding or not. Call your doctor if you have:
Some symptoms may require emergency treatment, such as:
Book Your Appointment TodayBreast infection can occur in both men and women, and treatment can vary depending on the type of infection and whether you have a health condition or drug allergy. We perform different tests that help us detect breast abnormalities and determine the cause of infection. If you have symptoms of a breast infection or want to learn more about this condition, book an appointment with us. We look forward to meeting you at Breast Care Center Miami. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!Related PostsPage load linkIs amoxicillin good for breast infection?It is important to note that amoxicillin without clavulanate is not a suitable treatment option due to the high degree of resistance. If the mastitis develops into an abscess, a combination of drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy will be required to achieve healing.
Which antibiotic is best for breast lump?Antibiotics considered appropriate are flucloxacillin or erythromycin (if penicillin sensitive) for lactational and skin‐associated infection, and coamoxiclav, or flucloxacillin or cephalexin or erythromycin with metronidazole for non‐lactational infection.
What is the solution for breast infection?A doctor can drain the abscess, which will reduce pain. They will likely then prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Warm compresses can help relieve mastitis pain. People can also take medications, which may include antibiotics to treat the infection and ibuprofen to relieve pain and inflammation.
What is the strongest antibiotic for mastitis?Dicloxacillin. Drug of choice (DOC) for mastitis.
|