What is Breast Infection?

Breast which is composed of several glands and tissues. Its infection is known as mastitis, which occurs within the breast tissue. This breast infection is common among mothers who lact breast milk to their infants. It happens when infection from infants or baby’s mouth enters and infects the breast. Mastitis is not common in womens who are not breastfeeding, but there are chances that it may occur. 

Mastitis affects fatty tissues of breast, which lead to swelling, pain, and lumps. This kind of infection is seen in mothers who are breastfeeding their baby’s.

What is the cause of Breast Infection?

1. The common cause of breast infection is staph infection. It occurs when bacteria from the mouth of infant, enter a milk duct through a crack in the nipple. Breast infections are common in mothers who had delivery in past one to three months. 

2. This kind of bacteria is normally found on the skin. It is seen in women after menopause also. In case, bacteria gets into breast tissue, it can multiply quickly and cause painful symptoms. Infections like mastitis are not harmful to the infants. Mothers with this infection can continue feeding their baby. 

3. In case of non lactational or non breastfeeding mastitis affects women with weak immune system. It also affects womens with diabetes and sugar. In it there are very rare signs of inflammatory breast cancer.

What are the symptoms of Breast Infection?

Breast infection also has some common symptoms such as - 

1. Tenderness - it is seen, women with infections report tenderness of breast. 

2. Lump - a painful lump is also seen in cases of infection in breast. 

3. Pus - a discharge of pus is seen from the nipple in such cases. 

4. Fever - light fever of 101 feranite can also occur in such cases. 

5. Lymph nodes - in neck and armpit region got enlarged.

Apart from them there are symptoms like itching in the breast, pain or burning sensations, abnormal swelling, skin redness, flu like symptoms, and changes in breast also appears in such cases. 

Symptoms of severe breast infection could also lead to inflammatory breast cancer in which unusual warmth in the affected breast seen, breast tenderness and pain are also seen in breast cancer cases. Thickness or enlargement is seen, discoloration of chest is also reported in these cases. 

What are the treatment of Breast Infection?

Treatment of breast infection include - 

1. Antibiotics - medications like antibiotic prescribed by the doctor are most effective in this type of infection. Most of the women start getting relief in two to three days of treatment. 

2. Clinically incised - in case of boil due to severe infection of the breast, the doctor may need it to be cleared and most importantly this will help the breast heal faster. 

3. Inflammatory breast cancer - treatment of it, will depend upon the seriousness of the condition. A doctor may go for chemotherapy, in which cancer cells are killed by using chemicals intravenously. They could also use radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. 

4. Surgery - to remove lymph nodes, bumps doctor may advise you for it.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

In the case of mastitis, which is not cancer. It is just an infection which goes away slowly. Just to rule out cancer, a doctor may advise for a mammogram, which is a test to detect breast cancer. After treatment of breast, infection doctor may advise you following - 

Take all prescribed medications on time. 

1. Check your temperature thrice a day for at least the next two days when the treatment begins. 

2. In case of swelling, pain, redness or vomiting after treatment, contact your doctor. 

3. Follow up your doctor in one to two weeks after treatment, so that doctor can make sure about the infection has gone or not.

In mastitis prevention, it is necessary to feed equally from both breasts. Empty your breast completely to prevent from blocked ducts. Allow crack or sore nipples to air dry. Avoid dehydration and drink a lot of water. Be hygienic and keep your infant clean.

How can i prevent from breast infections?

If you are breastfeeding then you can use these tips and prevent yourself from breast infections - 

1. Empty breast after each feeding. 

2. Avoid soap and intense cleaning of the nipple. 

3. Keep your feeding scheduled. 

4. Massage your breast, if you feel a lump. 

5. Try different feeding positions. 

6. Before feeding apply warm wet towels to the breast. 

7. Avoid tight fitting bras