Last Updated on February 26, 2025 by Analgesia team
Definition of Mastitis in Medical
Mastitis is a medical term referring to inflammation of the breast tissue, often caused by a bacterial infection and most commonly occurring in breastfeeding women due to milk stasis (build-up of milk in the ducts), which can lead to painful swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected breast area; it may or may not be accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptoms.
Mastitis symptom
Symptoms usually come on quickly and affect one breast, but can sometimes affect both.
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- Painful, swollen, hot breasts
- A red, painful, or hot “wedge-shaped” swelling on a breast
- A red, painful, or hot lump in your breast
- Red streaks on your breasts
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood
- Burning pain in your breast
Common cause
Mastitis is a breast infection that can be caused by several factors, including milk build-up, infections, and injuries.
Milk build-up
- Milk stasis: A buildup of milk in the breast that can occur when a baby doesn’t latch on properly, or if feeds are infrequent or missed
- Oversupply: When milk builds up faster than it can be removed
- Blocked ducts: Milk ducts can become blocked if a breast doesn’t empty during feedings
Infections
- Germs from the skin or baby’s mouth: Can enter the milk ducts through a crack in the nipple or a milk duct opening
- Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis: These are the predominant pathogens that cause mastitis
Injuries
- An injury that damages a milk duct or gland
Mastitis Treatment
Mastitis is usually treated with antibiotics and pain relievers. You should also rest, drain milk from your breast, and wear a supportive bra.
- A doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics if you have mastitis and your symptoms don’t improve
- Take all the antibiotics as prescribed, even if you feel better after a few doses
- A small amount of the antibiotic may pass into your breast milk, but it’s not harmful to your baby
- Take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen
- Take paracetamol, which is safe to take while breastfeeding
Other treatments
- Empty milk from your breast
- Apply a cool pack to reduce swelling
- Perform lymphatic drainage by gently pressing your breast toward your lymph nodes
- Perform reverse pressure softening (RPS) to reduce swelling in your areola and nipple
- Wear a supportive bra
When to seek help
- If your symptoms don’t improve 12 to 24 hours after treating it at home
- If you have a breast abscess
- If you have breastfeeding problems
Who is most affected: Breastfeeding women, especially in the early postpartum period.