Breast mastitis in women: causes of pathology and form, signs and symptoms, treatment and prevention

Mastitis is an inflammatory process that develops in the mammary gland . Often, representatives of the fairer sex who have recently given birth to a baby encounter this pathology. The infection enters the mammary glands through microcracks formed in the nipples due to breastfeeding. However, symptoms of the disease in women can also occur before the birth process.

What is mastitis

In most cases, inflammation in the mammary gland is acute. Most often we are talking about lactation mastitis, which occurs due to a lack of feeding experience in young mothers. The pathology can also be diagnosed in newborn children.

The causative agents of mastitis are: staphylococcus, streptococcus. They enter the mammary gland through cracks in the nipple or other damage.

In nursing mothers, the disease develops due to stagnation of milk (lactostasis). When pathogenic microorganisms accumulate, an infiltrate is formed, in which suppuration can occur. Purulent mastitis develops into an abscess or even phlegmon and gangrene.

Causes

Mastitis is an acute nonspecific disease with rapidly developing symptoms. After childbirth, pathology often manifests itself as lactostasis. In this case, a woman may have all the symptoms of inflammation, her body temperature increases. A small lobe is observed in the area of lactostasis. The skin over it becomes noticeably red.

Due to the fact that after childbirth there is a high risk of infection entering the ducts, mastitis can often begin during breastfeeding. The causative agents of the disease are often:

enterobacteria;
staphylococci;
streptococci.

Pests penetrate the ducts and lobes of the mammary gland and begin to actively multiply there. Quite often, factors in the development of mastitis are hypothermia, drafts and too cold water in the shower.

Basic forms

This pathology has several forms. With serous type mastitis, the patient’s general health deteriorates significantly, the temperature increases, and breast milk retention develops.

The infiltrative type of the disease involves the occurrence of infiltration. The skin on it becomes red. The danger is that this neoplasm often turns into an abscess, accompanied by severe inflammation. Abscess mastitis involves the development of an abscess, and with the gangrenous form, extensive tissue necrosis appears.

Types of mastitis

There are two types of disease: infectious and non-infectious.

Each of them has its own characteristics:

Non-infectious mastitis. With a serious stagnation process, edema actively develops in the gland, and the patient’s body temperature rises. In addition, milk during stagnant processes in the breast is a favorable environment for the active development and proliferation of bacteria. As a result, this type of mastitis can very quickly develop into an infectious form due to improper or untimely treatment.
Infectious mastitis. Various microorganisms can enter the internal tissues of a woman’s mammary gland from the surface of the skin, causing an inflammatory process. Most often, this serious pathology is provoked by Staphylococcus aureus.

Description

Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland.
By its nature, mastitis can be lactational or non-lactational. These two forms of inflammation of the mammary gland differ from each other in that the first begins during lactation, and the second during the non-lactation period, respectively. Approximately 90% of all clinical cases of mastitis occur in postpartum women during their first birth. The remaining 10% occurs due to inflammation of the mammary gland during pregnancy and in non-pregnant women. Statistically, the right mammary gland is at greater risk of developing mastitis than the left mammary gland. The cause of mastitis in 80% of cases is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). However, the mere presence of an infectious agent is not enough to cause an inflammatory process in the mammary gland. There are predisposing factors for the development of mastitis:

Reduced resistance of a woman's body . The reasons for the decrease in resistance may be nephropathies during pregnancy (a common pathology in pregnant women), colds, heavy bleeding after delivery, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases during the normal course of pregnancy (rheumatism, malformations).
Lactostasis . Various factors lead to the development of stagnation of mammary gland secretions:

Child's refusal to breastfeed. In the early stages of lactation, milk production is stimulated by the hormone prolactin, which is released regardless of the milk consumed by the child. Therefore, if the breasts do not empty, the mammary glands still produce milk. To prevent the development of lactostasis in this case, it is necessary to resort to pumping.
Incorrect breastfeeding technique. If the feeding technique is incorrect, the child is unable to adequately empty the mammary glands, which leads to stagnation of milk and the formation of “plugs”.
Anatomical features of the child’s oral cavity. These include the following anomalies: short frenulum of the tongue, cleft of the upper lip and palate.
Anatomical features of the structure of the mother's nipple. If the nipple shape is irregular (small, infantile, flat, elongated), difficulties may arise during feeding. In this case, it is worth starting feeding through the pad. In the future, the baby will adapt to sucking and will be able to feed without assistive devices.
Inconsistency in the activity of the mammary glands and milk ducts. This happens especially often during the first pregnancy. The mammary glands begin to work at full strength, and at this time the milk ducts remain infantile.
Insufficient nipple and breast care. Neglecting the treatment of nipples before and after feeding, inattention to the amount of milk secreted during feeding can provoke the development of lactostasis.

The presence of an entry point for infection . The infection can enter the mammary gland both from the outside (exogenous route) and from the internal environment of the body (endogenous route). Most often, infection occurs exogenously. The entry point in half of the cases is nipple trauma: cracks, abrasions, small wounds that occur during feeding.

Also, in addition to the simple division into exogenous and endogenous routes of infection, there is another classification of contamination:

Canalicular pathway (through milk ducts)
Lyphogenic pathway (during the drainage of lymph from wounds)
Hematogenous route (for blood poisoning)

Why is mastitis dangerous for a nursing mother?

Mastitis in a nursing mother, symptoms and treatment, which, as well as preventive measures, should be known to women at the stage of family planning, responds well to treatment at an early stage. But even one day of delay is a huge risk. The symptoms of mastitis develop and intensify with each passing hour.

The danger of mastitis for a woman is as follows:

Pus may accumulate in the mammary gland, and then it affects the second breast, in which case the only solution is surgery. Seams can become an aesthetic problem.
In the worst case scenario, the infection will spread through the blood to other organs and cause diseases that threaten the life and health of the woman.
With this disease, which occurs in a purulent form, breastfeeding is strictly prohibited, since pus can enter the baby’s body with milk.

Characteristic symptoms

The disease can be chronic or acute. In a girl who has encountered this disease, the symptoms of the disease resemble lactostasis. In this case, the following signs of mastitis in women may be observed:

the mammary gland becomes denser;
the surrounding skin turns very red;
The patient develops severe pain and chills.

In the absence of adequate therapy, breast size increases, and pain appears on tactile contact. An abscess may be present in the thickness of the breast in the presence of mastitis. It becomes extremely difficult for a woman to feed her child; there may be blood or even pus in the milk. The doctor may also notice increased skin thickness on the chest and enlarged lymph nodes.

Diagnosis and complications

A qualified surgeon or mammologist can recognize mastitis. To identify pathology, a specialist interviews the patient and performs a visual examination of the mammary glands. To make sure there is no suppuration, an ultrasound may be additionally prescribed, the results of which will allow an accurate diagnosis to be determined.

Breast mastitis can lead to a number of complications. If a woman has already had this disease, then after some time she may experience a relapse. Moreover, the risk of recurrence of the pathology increases with each pregnancy (postpartum period) and breastfeeding.

Stages of disease development

Mastitis in a nursing mother, symptoms and treatment, as well as its clinical manifestations depend on the stage of the disease.

There are several of them:

Serous. The easiest, that is, the initial stage of mastitis, in which only a certain area of the female breast is filled with inflammatory fluid. There is thickening, redness and soreness in this area of the breast. A high body temperature is also noted. The disease develops rapidly, and if left untreated, after 2-3 days it can move to the next stage.
Infiltrative. When the infection also affects the adjacent milk lobes, an infiltrate is formed. In this case, swelling of the gland, redness and an increase in its size are noted. On palpation, a compaction with clear boundaries is felt. Symptoms become pronounced.
Purulent. At this stage, the woman feels chills, fever and increased heart rate. The breast becomes swollen, the area of inflammation acquires a bright red or bluish tint to the skin. Touching the chest causes unbearable pain and pulsation is felt. When you press on the nipple, blood and pus are released with milk. This extremely dangerous stage requires immediate treatment.

MedGlav.com

Mastitis (from the Greek mastos - nipple, breast), breastfeeding - inflammation of the mammary (breast) gland. Acute inflammation of the gland is more often observed in lactating women and pregnant women. During the feeding period, mastitis often develops in young women after the first birth and seriously complicates feeding.

Causes.

Mastitis occurs when microbes penetrate the gland:

Most often through cracks in the nipples or areola,
Less commonly, from a distant purulent focus in the body through the bloodstream , if there are chronic foci of infection in the woman’s body.

Cracks in the nipples occur in women with delicate skin. A young mother often places her baby incorrectly at the breast, and the nipple is easily damaged. Feeding can be especially difficult if a woman has flat or inverted nipples. If the nipple shape is abnormal, a woman from the first months of pregnancy, after consultation with a doctor, should carry out appropriate manipulations aimed at correcting the shape of the nipple.

Mastitis can also appear due to inept milk expression or infrequent feedings. poor nutrition during pregnancy. lactostasis may develop - stagnation of milk in the ducts of the mammary glands. The presence of milk in the ducts of the mammary gland is a favorable factor for the proliferation of bacteria, since milk contains many nutrients. It is possible for microbes to penetrate into the mammary gland through the milk ducts that open in the nipple.

Stages of development of mastitis.

Serous mastitis is the initial stage of the disease. At this stage, there is a slight increase in body temperature, an increase in the mammary gland in volume and its soreness when palpated.
Infiltrative mastitis is characterized by an increase in temperature (possibly up to 38C) and the presence of a painful lump in one area of the mammary gland.
Purulent mastitis is a suppuration of an area of the mammary gland (breast phlegmon).

Clinical symptoms.

If cracked nipples or excessive engorgement of the mammary glands appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Timely and properly administered treatment prevents the development of mastitis. As the disease develops, the temperature rises (up to 39° and above), often with chills, pain and tension in the mammary gland, headaches and weakness appear. The skin over the inflamed area becomes shiny and red; if an abscess forms, a ripple is detected in the center of the inflammatory compaction. The abscess can be single or multiple; sometimes a diffuse purulent process of the mammary gland immediately appears - phlegmon of the mammary gland; Possible inflammation of the lymph nodes in the axillary region. Prevention.

To prevent mastitis from the first months of pregnancy and then the entire period of feeding, a woman should carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene, daily wipe her entire body with water at room temperature, and then rub it with a hard towel. It is especially important to wash your breasts with warm water and soap, drying them with a towel specifically designated for this purpose. If there are no conditions for washing, you can wipe with a solution of boric acid (2 tsp boric acid per 1 liter of warm water).

During the feeding period, nails should be cut short. Before each feeding, be sure to wash your hands with warm water and soap. When feeding, you must try to ensure that the baby grasps not only the entire nipple, but also most of the areola. Since the development of mastitis is facilitated by stagnation of milk in the mammary gland, after each feeding it is necessary to express (carefully maintaining cleanliness) the remaining milk; it is best to use a breast pump for this.

Treatment of mastitis depends on the stage and form of mastitis (serous mastitis, infiltrative, purulent mastitis, etc.)

When there is hardening in the mammary gland, redness, pain, increased temperature (beginning mastitis), it is necessary to fix the breast in an elevated position (feeding with it should continue), use cold, and limit drinking (to eliminate stagnation of milk). It is recommended to express milk from both mammary glands every 3 hours, as stagnation of milk promotes the growth of bacteria.

anesthetics (for example, novocaine blockades) are used as painkillers
It is necessary to stop feeding the child, as there may be an infection in the milk, and also do a bacteriological analysis of the milk to identify bacteria.
Treatment is more successful if lactation (milk production) is temporarily suppressed until complete recovery. For this purpose, special drugs are prescribed: Bromocriptine, Parlodel, Dostinex , etc. After recovery, lactation can be restored if desired.
If inflammation continues, serous mastitis becomes infiltrative, then to suppress the growth and destroy bacteria, antibiotics after bacteriological culture of milk to determine sensitivity to antibiotics: Oxacillin, Amoxiclav, Cefazolin, Cefradil, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, etc.
When an abscess , surgery is performed. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. After surgery, antibiotics are required. Breastfeeding is allowed only when antibiotics are stopped and bacteriological examination of the milk does not reveal bacteria in it.

Causes of mastitis

The main reason for the development of the disease is the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the tissues and ducts of the mammary gland.

The causes can also be classified according to the type of disease:

postpartum mastitis develops due to poor emptying of the mammary gland due to improper attachment, and infection in stagnant areas develops quite rapidly;
fibrocystic mastitis formed when there is a cyst in the breast. Untimely therapy can lead to cancer and other serious pathologies. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in women at the onset of menopause and puberty in adolescents;
infants develop under the influence of lactogenic hormones entering the child's body with mother's milk. It can develop in a child regardless of his gender.

Types of mastitis

If you look in more detail, you can find out that mastitis comes in several types.

The first and most common is postpartum or lactation mastitis. It, as the name suggests, develops during breastfeeding. This mastitis occurs in 85% of women.

The second type is fibrocystic. The reasons for the development of non-lactation mastitis can be very diverse and are not related to the lactation period.

As for the third type of mastitis, this is newborn breastfeeding. Occurs in most cases in newborn babies. Both girls and boys are susceptible to this disease. The main reason is the transition of maternal lactogenic hormones.

There is also a classification of infants according to the ongoing inflammatory process:

acute lactostasis - in this case, milk does not secrete;
serous mastitis - early stage of postpartum mastitis;
acute infiltrative mastitis - develops on the basis of serous mastitis with insufficient treatment;
destructive mastitis - its main characteristic is tissue destruction;
chronic mastitis - usually accompanied by purulent discharge - that is, suppuration occurs in certain areas of the mammary gland.

Mastitis can also be divided according to which area of the skin it affects. Depending on the location of the disease, the following are distinguished:

subcutaneous mastitis - based on the name, it is clear that it develops in the subcutaneous area;
subareolar mastitis - forms and develops in the areola area;
intramammary – localized in the breast itself;
retromammary - develops outside the mammary gland.

What not to do if you suspect mastitis

Any woman should know what is forbidden to do if mastitis is suspected or diagnosed.

Some actions can lead to complications:

Massaging and kneading the breasts, as well as prolonged pumping, leads to the development of even greater swelling.
Any warm compresses or warm showers should be used with extreme caution. A little heat on the chest area can help with pumping, but only at the initial stage of the disease. It is better to refuse all warming procedures, as they can increase the inflammatory process. This is especially true for the purulent stage.
Alcohol-containing compresses warm the affected area and aggravate the inflammatory process. Alcohol significantly reduces the production of the hormone oxytocin, without which milk flow becomes difficult.
Limiting fluid intake can be dangerous when you have a high fever. A woman should drink, but it is better to do it in small sips and small portions. Hot drinks really lead to an active flow of milk. It is better to give preference to purified water, the temperature of which will be close to the woman’s body temperature.

Symptoms of mastitis

Mastitis is a disease that simply cannot be missed due to its pronounced symptoms. The inflammatory process manifests itself:

An increase in body temperature to 39 degrees without specific signs and causes of illness;
Feeling of constant weakness, lethargy, fatigue;
Chills, fever;
Excruciating headache;
When you touch the mammary glands, you feel heat and some painful sensations, which only get worse every day;
With lactation mastitis, painful sensations occur during the first month after childbirth.

If the patient does not pay attention to the above symptoms, then an acute inflammatory process begins to develop. When a woman feels her breasts, she feels painful large and small lumps in her breasts, notices increased swelling of the breasts, as well as redness of the skin.

Diagnostics

Mastitis in a nursing mother, the symptoms and treatment of which can be very serious, is diagnosed by a mammologist or gynecologist by interviewing the patient and feeling the breasts.

Mastitis in a nursing mother. Symptoms can be identified by a doctor who will prescribe treatment.

A blood test and milk culture may be required. The diagnosis is also made based on the results of an ultrasound examination.

Therapeutic measures

Mastitis is one of the diseases that cannot be ignored due to the severity of the symptoms. Seeking medical help should be prompt, in the early stages of the disease, which helps not only to quickly get rid of the problem, but also to avoid dangerous complications. Considering the fact that stagnation of milk in the breast triggers inflammation and can aggravate the situation, in order to successfully treat the disease, you need to follow these recommendations:

regular emptying of the mammary gland through feeding or pumping;
massage after feeding, treatment of seals;
Milk is collected at least once every 3 hours: first from a healthy breast and only then from an inflamed one.

Both traditional and folk methods are used as part of the therapy.

Pharmacy drugs

Treatment of mastitis in women is based on the specifics of its occurrence. The source of the disease is infection, so the basis of drug therapy is antibiotics (usually in medium doses and with intramuscular administration). The type of drug and duration of treatment are determined individually; the doctor may prescribe the following groups of drugs:

penicillin drugs (“Amoxicillin”, “Augmentin”) penetrate into milk in minimal concentrations, therefore they are acceptable for use without stopping breastfeeding;
cephalosporins (“Cefalexin”) have limited permeability into milk and are allowed during breastfeeding;
aminoglycosides pass into breast milk in minimal concentrations, but may have a negative effect on the microflora of the infant’s digestive tract.

When feeding for the treatment of mastitis, it is prohibited to use drugs from the groups of tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and sulfonamides. Additionally, symptomatic therapy is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen), anti-spasm drugs (No-Spa), homeopathic products (Traumeel S gel for non-infectious forms).

It is important to understand that the conservative method is advisable only if a number of conditions are met:

the duration of the disease is no more than three days;
there are no symptoms of a purulent process;
pain in the chest is moderate;
general condition is satisfactory, and body temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees.

Home Remedies

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies is usually carried out in combination with traditional methods, acting as an element of symptomatic treatment of the problem. Effective recipes that have helped many women cope with the disease include:

Cumin: dried mint leaves are crushed in equal proportions, a little rye flour and water are added to the powder. The creamy mass is used as an ointment: it is used to treat sore breasts, and after complete drying, the residue is removed with warm water. Frequency of application – 3 times a day.
The pumpkin pulp is boiled in milk until tender, kneaded to a homogeneous paste and, when cooled, applied to the affected gland. The mass is covered with gauze and left overnight.
The baked onions are kneaded to a paste-like consistency and combined with milk and honey in equal quantities. The composition is applied to the seal, covered with gauze on top and left for 3 hours.

Compresses

An effective home way to combat inflammation of the mammary gland is compresses. They should not be warming, otherwise the pathological process will only intensify. The easiest way is to use cabbage: fresh leaves of the vegetable are scratched a little on the inside with a fork and, after being coated with honey, they are applied to the chest. The compress is changed as soon as the previous one has become sluggish.

Another proven recipe is a starch lotion. Potato powder is mixed with vegetable oil until a paste-like consistency is obtained and applied to the chest (keep for up to 5 hours).

Treatment of mastitis

Treatment tactics are selected based on the form of the disease and the time elapsed from the appearance of the first signs.

The basic principles of therapy are as follows:

stopping the proliferation of bacteria;
anesthesia;
relieving the inflammatory process.

Mastitis with purulent inflammation in a nursing mother with its serious symptoms requires proper treatment. Under no circumstances can it be treated at home. At this stage, only surgical intervention is performed. Recovery is also facilitated by drugs to suppress lactation (Dostinex, Parlodeil and others), which are prescribed exclusively by a doctor.

After complete recovery, lactation can be resumed.

In the infiltrative or serous stage, when there is no pus, you can get by with conservative treatment. Regular pumping is necessary to prevent severe congestion, which provokes the growth of bacteria. Pain is relieved with local anesthetic medications.

The main treatment is antibiotic therapy. After determining the sensitivity of microorganisms, the doctor prescribes a specific drug.

The following groups of antibiotics are usually used:

cephalosporin;
penicillins;
aminoglycosides.

Antibiotics can be taken either orally or intramuscularly, and in special cases intravenously. It is not recommended to use traditional medicine, since every day of delay with adequate therapy can significantly increase the risk of serious consequences.

Drug treatment of mastitis

For uncomplicated mastitis, conservative treatment can be used at home.

In such cases it is allowed to use:

No-shpu or Oxytocin to facilitate milk flow.
Novocaine blockade to relieve pain.
Antihistamines to relieve inflammation.
Ibuprofen or Paracetamol as an antipyretic.
Ointments (Traumeel, Levomekol and others) for topical use, reducing swelling and pain.

Ointments and creams

Treatment for mastitis often involves the use of topical medications in the form of ointments and creams that are applied only to the affected areas of a woman's breast. They relieve swelling, reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

The most popular ointments and creams used in complex therapy:

Traumeel has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It effectively reduces swelling and stops hemorrhages. The drug increases vascular tone and relieves pain. It can be successfully used both in combination with other drugs in the fight against the disease and in the postoperative period.
Ichthyol ointment is an antiseptic that can relieve inflammation and have an analgesic effect. The natural composition makes the medicine safe and prevents side effects.
Heparin ointment contains heparin sodium, which, when released, has an anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effect. It promotes the resorption of compactions and prevents the development of new ones.
Levomekol is a combination drug that does not contain auxiliary components. It is applied to the affected area, where it actively has a healing effect: relieves inflammation, kills germs. The ointment is used in the postoperative period for speedy regeneration.

Treatment of pathology

Treatment of mastitis begins with conservative methods. Women are prescribed:

Antibacterial and antihistamines (oxacillin, cefazolin);
Immunomodulators and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Polyoxidonium);
Vitamin complex (Vetoron-E);
Bandages and compresses with ointment (Vishnevsky ointment).

Antibacterial and vitamin therapy, local treatment, are often sufficient to prevent the development of pathology.

Mastitis surgery

If an abscess occurs, opening with drainage is recommended. If purulent mastitis is diagnosed, surgery is inevitable. In such cases, a small incision is made over the affected area and all the pus is removed. The cavity is thoroughly washed with an antiseptic. The underlying tissues are divided and drainage is performed.

In severe cases, resection of the breast area is possible. Stitches are placed on the incision, which are removed on the 4th day.

In modern medicine, in the treatment of non-lactation forms of mastitis in girls, puncture treatment with drainage of the cavity of the pathological formation is increasingly used. The resulting contents are sent for bacteriological culture. The puncture does not require general anesthesia; such procedures are performed under local anesthesia.

Will people's advice help?

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies should not be considered as an independent and main method of treatment.

In addition to complex treatment, cabbage leaf compresses, honey lotions, sweet clover decoction, potato and rice starch ointments, apple and butter mixtures are useful.

Treatment of mastitis in the early stages is the key to quickly getting rid of the pathology and preventing its development in the future.

Treatment at home

Home treatment for mastitis is possible only after examination by a doctor. Self-medication and the use of traditional medicine can lead to dangerous consequences.

This method of treatment is justified only in the following cases:

the woman’s general condition is not impaired;
no more than three days have passed since the first symptoms appeared;
body temperature does not rise above 37.5 degrees;
there is no pus coming out of the chest;
the pain in the area of the lump is moderate, and its size does not exceed a quarter of the chest.
normal blood test results.

When the temperature rises, it is not recommended to start self-medication. In this case, a doctor’s examination is mandatory, since this symptom may indicate the onset of purulent inflammation.

If a woman does not feel better within a day of starting home treatment, the doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs for her.

Compresses

Many women treat the initial stages of mastitis at home.

Various compresses are often used for this:

Made from magnesia. You need to warm the ampoule in warm water and pour the contents of the ampoule onto a gauze pad that is placed in the bra. A warm scarf is wrapped on top or a sweater is put on.
Cabbage leaf. You need to wash a leaf of fresh cabbage and scratch it with a fork or knife. A teaspoon of bee honey is applied to it, and this leaf is applied to the sore breast. As soon as it withers, the compress can be changed.
Honey can be mixed with an egg and aloe juice and apply the resulting paste to the sore spot in the form of a compress, wrapping it with a warm bandage on top.
3 tbsp. l. cottage cheese, mixed with 1 tsp. warm honey and place on the site of inflammation, covering the top with a plastic bag and wrapping it in a warm scarf. This composition will help reduce pain and promote rapid resorption of compactions.
It is prohibited to make vodka or any compress containing alcohol. It can be effective only in the initial stages of the disease, but in this case the risk is not justified.

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies

Traditional medicine is full of recipes to combat mastitis.

Some of them are especially popular among women:

Rye flatbread . To 1 glass of rye flour you need to add 2 tbsp. l. warm honey and knead the dough. The cake should be placed on film and applied to the sore breast for 4-6 hours. The compress should be wrapped with a warm scarf on top.
Starch. You need to mix potato starch with any vegetable oil to form a paste and apply it to the area of stagnation.
Baked onion. You need to bake a small onion in the oven and, after cooling, apply it to the sore spot.
Figs You need to boil two small figs in milk. Warm fruits are placed on painful areas in the form of a compress.

For mild forms of mastitis, traditional medicine can be quite effective.

Massage

For uncomplicated mastitis, massage can help. The mammary gland needs to be relaxed with light spiral movements from the edges of the chest to the middle. Only after this can you begin to target the affected areas.

The point of massage should be the lump or painful areas. Each of them is massaged separately clockwise from the center to the periphery.

When all painful areas have been massaged, you can begin a general chest massage. It starts from the axillary areas, which contain nerves that can relax the ducts of the mammary gland. Point impacts should last no more than 5 minutes. This procedure will help improve milk flow. The main thing is to perform all movements very carefully and easily.

If there is no infiltration in the gland, then massage can lead to complete emptying of the breast and removal of seals. For easier pumping, you can use a breast pump if it does not cause severe pain.

Folk remedies

Photo: sadgrad.ru

Traditional medicine can help at the serous stage of mastitis, which is not so far from lactostasis. In other cases, mastitis requires serious medical and surgical therapy. Do not neglect traditional methods of therapy. If possible, coordinate alternative treatment with your doctor.

Regular pumping will help relieve the feeling of heaviness in the chest. But if this feeling does not go away after emptying the mammary gland, then you can resort to the following remedies:

Applying cabbage leaves to the affected breast. The cabbage leaf must be cooled under running water and several cuts must be made. Then you can put it in a bra and stay with it for some time. This remedy will help relieve the beginning symptoms of inflammation.
The second way to use a cabbage leaf is to beat off its rough parts, soak it in warm water and smear it with honey. This compress is applied to the chest for the whole day.
Warm onion. It is necessary to bake the onion in the oven, wait until the root vegetable reaches a comfortable temperature for the procedure. Then, until it cools completely, apply the product to the affected breast.
Chamomile decoction is also used. Ordinary gauze is soaked in freshly brewed flowers. Next, you need to lubricate the disturbing area of the chest and definitely the nipple.

The information is for reference only and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. At the first symptoms of the disease, consult a doctor.

Surgical treatment

The law of surgery states that the presence of pus is a direct indication for an incision.

Features of surgical intervention for mastitis are as follows:

During the operation, general anesthesia is used.
The volume of intervention depends on the stage of the lesion and its area.
Drainage is required to ensure rapid drainage and sanitation of the lesion.
Antibacterial treatment is mandatory.
Drugs that suppress milk production are used.

Factors causing mastitis

Most often, the cause of the disease is an infection that enters the mammary glands through microtraumas on the chest. In most cases, the disease is a consequence of the penetration of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria through the skin, which is present in 9 out of 10 people. This pathogenic organism accounts for 70% of all infectious forms of mastitis. There are also other pathogens of the lactation type of disease:

streptococcus;
coli;
tuberculosis bacteria;
fecal enterococcus.

Infection occurs through underwear, bedding, personal hygiene items, or from other people who are carriers of bacteria. New mothers often become infected with mastitis within the maternity ward from healthcare workers, roommates or visitors. In some cases, the disease is transmitted from the baby to the mother during breastfeeding, if the child has an inflammatory process in the oral cavity (stomatitis), pharynx, pharynx, or has dermatological pustular diseases.

In addition to direct infection through microtraumas and cracks in the nipples and areola, a woman’s body must be affected by pathological factors that reduce the barrier properties of the skin and suppress the immune system. Conditions that increase the risk of contracting lactation mastitis:

mastopathy;
pathological structure of the nipple (retracted or flat shape);
undergoing surgical interventions on the chest;
experiencing postpartum depression, traumatic situations that caused severe stress;
pathological pregnancy with toxicosis, gestosis or premature birth;
significant injuries received during childbirth, causing a relapse of chronic somatic diseases.

Non-lactation mastitis is much less common. It is associated with disturbances in the functioning of the body and in some cases has an infectious etiology. This condition occurs not only in nursing mothers, but also in children, causing the formation of characteristic symptoms. The main condition for the development of the disease is a reduced level of immunity due to a viral or bacterial disease. Let's consider a number of reasons causing this type of mastitis:

physical exhaustion;
stress;
hypothermia (hypothermia);
mammary gland injuries.

Possible consequences and complications

Mastitis, like any inflammatory process of an infectious nature caused by staphylococcus, can be complicated in every possible way.

Such complications include:

bacterial pericarditis;
meningitis;
sepsis;
toxic shock;
DIC – syndrome.

What you shouldn't do with mastitis, and what you should do

Doctors strongly recommend observing the following measures during the treatment process, as well as during the illness in general:

Carrying out hygiene procedures is possible only in cool or warm water. Hot baths are canceled, since an increase in body temperature helps to dilate blood vessels and accelerate blood flow, which can lead to faster progression of the disease. At elevated temperatures, hot baths are completely contraindicated;
Leave your chest alone. It is strongly not recommended to apply pressure to areas of infiltration, squeeze, knead, etc. This contributes to the growth of the inflammatory process and, as a result, the progression of the disease;
With serous mastitis, feeding the baby is not only possible, but also necessary, however, the baby should be properly attached to the breast;
Fluid intake should be increased;

Breastfeeding with mastitis

The question of whether it is possible to breastfeed with mastitis is very controversial. The answer directly depends on the symptoms and stage of the disease, as well as treatment methods. In most cases, feeding is possible and even necessary, because frequent latching of the baby will help a woman effectively empty her breasts and fight the disease.

Nothing and no one can empty the breast better than a suckling baby.

In the absence of pus, breast milk does not harm the baby. If pathogenic bacteria enter the baby’s body, it will give him antibodies against the disease. Even if the consistency or color of the milk changes, there is no need to limit breastfeeding.

Elevated temperature is not a factor prohibiting breastfeeding; the quality of milk does not change in any way. On the contrary, completing breastfeeding can harm the baby’s mother. Actively remaining milk will only worsen the situation.

In case of purulent inflammation, the decision about the possibility of feeding is made by the doctor. It depends on the stage of the disease and the amount of pus, as well as on drug therapy, which may be incompatible with breastfeeding.

Prevention of mastitis during feeding

Even during pregnancy, a woman should fully familiarize herself with the rules and recommendations for breastfeeding. Nursing mothers need to monitor the hygiene of the mammary glands - wash them once a day with soap, wipe them with a warm towel before feeding, if cracks appear, use healing ointments (for example, Bepanten) or an oil solution of vitamin A, sea buckthorn oil.

Lingerie must be selected according to breast size (it is advisable to focus on a nursing bodice).

The baby should be fed regularly, followed by expressing milk from the mammary glands (to avoid the formation of milk stagnation). If during feeding the baby was attached to only one of the mammary glands, then next time you need to feed from the untouched breast.

Before feeding, wash your hands thoroughly with soap, do not touch your breasts with unwashed hands, and during the first few months of adaptation to breastfeeding, avoid feeding in public places or on the street.

Prevention

A young mother should try in every possible way to prevent the development of the disease, since prevention is better than any treatment. If the baby and his mother feel well, then there will be no problems with feeding.

Preventive measures are as follows:

correct attachment, in which the entire nipple halo is in the child’s mouth;
You need to feed the baby according to a schedule, and if there is a lot of milk, then you can feed him on demand, that is, give the baby the breast at the first cry;
Do not squeeze the breasts during feeding, or put pressure on the areola;
if for some reason a feeding was missed, then the woman must express milk;
the underwear should be soft and not compress the chest;
the bra is selected so that the girth is the right size and the cups are spacious;
hypothermia, constant stress and neuroses can provoke a breakdown of the immune system and the development of inflammation in the mammary glands;
It is necessary to avoid any injuries to the chest, as well as squeezing them during sleep.

A problem such as mastitis can occur in a nulliparous girl, as well as in a nursing mother. The best prevention of the disease is to follow simple rules of personal hygiene, prevent any injuries to the nipples and properly treat infectious diseases and their accompanying symptoms.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky

Prevention of mastitis in women

Every pregnant woman goes through a young mother's school, where she is taught a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, gymnastics, preventive procedures and techniques for feeding and caring for newborns.

Much attention is paid to caring for the mammary glands.

Preparation for feeding begins long before birth and consists of carrying out certain activities:

Hardening procedures;

Everyday washing of the breasts and light massage will adapt them to daily breastfeeding and prevent the formation of congestion;

massaging the nipples with a terry towel adapts the skin on their surface, making it more elastic and less traumatic;

A carefully selected bra should not compress the breasts or put pressure on them in certain places. The straps must be adjusted in size, allowing them to be evenly distributed over the cup of the female breast.

Postpartum preparation

After childbirth, before each time the baby is latched, the breasts should be thoroughly washed to remove any leaking milk.

After feeding, it should be expressed and massaged until uniform density is obtained throughout its entire volume, the resulting cracks should be lubricated with sterile goose fat or sea buckthorn oil, covered with a sterile gauze swab.

The bra is selected strictly according to size. The first application should not last longer than 2 minutes. Strict adherence to feeding order reduces the risk of disease.

The importance of breastfeeding a child cannot be overstated. A healthy mother means a healthy child. A healthy child means happiness in the family.

Sometimes mastitis develops if a young mother tries to stop lactation using barbaric methods, for example, by pulling or tightly bandaging the mammary glands. If you want to stop lactation abruptly, when a lot of milk is being produced, it is very easy to bring the breasts to lactostasis, and then not far from mastitis.

Lactostasis in a nursing mother, upon cessation of feeding and pregnancy: treatment with folk remedies

As you probably already understood, lactostasis is one of those diseases that are quite easy to treat. That is why, if you wish, you can try to cope with this problem using traditional methods. The most popular home treatment for this pathology is an alcohol compress.

As a rule, it is applied twice a day in the morning and evening, and a bandage soaked in alcohol must be placed on the massaged breast. It is also believed that raw carrots have good anti-inflammatory and absorbent properties. If you apply it to the areas of compaction, even for an hour a day, then after 2-3 days you will notice that during feeding the breasts are completely emptied.

Yes, and remember, in order for carrots to have the maximum effect on your breasts, before applying the vegetable to the reddened areas, you will need to grate it on a fine grater and only then use it for its intended purpose. For even greater therapeutic effect, you can mix it with any internal fat of the animal.

Methods for diagnosing mastitis

If you notice lumps in your breasts, notice pain or any other suspicious ailments similar to signs of mastitis, it is very important to contact a qualified and experienced doctor in a timely manner.

As a rule, the diagnosis of mastitis begins with examination by palpation of the mammary gland. The patient must indicate exactly where the pain is localized and what its nature is (sharp, aching, etc.). To identify mastitis, the specialist also prescribes a general blood test , with the help of which laboratory experts determine the presence of inflammatory processes.

To identify the type of bacterium and determine the further method of therapy, bacteriological examination of mother's milk . Sometimes an additional breast ultrasound may be required.

Mastitis during lactation

If signs of mastitis are detected in a nursing mother, continued feeding is not allowed for a long time. This is due to the fact that an infection in the mammary glands can enter the child’s body.

Another reason for the ban is the use of antibacterial drugs prescribed by a doctor for mastitis. They will be harmful to the baby's health.

At the same time, you should not ignore the procedure of expressing milk: even if symptoms of mastitis appear, it remains important. The patient will be able to continue feeding only when the signs of mastitis completely disappear after treatment.

Treatment methods for mastitis

To decide on a therapeutic method, the specialist, first of all, takes into account the characteristics of the course of the disease, the stage of mastitis, as well as the length of time after the infection penetrates the patient’s mammary gland.

To treat mastitis, it is necessary to perform several tasks: eliminate pain in the chest, suppress the activity of bacteria during mastitis, and reduce inflammation in the mammary gland. If a woman has been diagnosed with purulent mastitis, surgery will be required.

Self-treatment with folk remedies and medications is prohibited, since the lack of professional help for mastitis can cause serious complications (including the development of sepsis and death).

Doctors are convinced that with targeted suppression of milk production, recovery time will be much faster.

Lactation is suppressed by taking medications (Dostinex, Parlodel, etc.). Moreover, if such a need arises in the future, lactation after mastitis can be safely restored, so the woman will one day be able to breastfeed again.

In the first stages of mastitis, conservative treatment methods are usually used: painkillers, antibacterial drugs. It is important to know that the choice of antibiotic for the treatment of mastitis is always determined by the results of tests performed, thanks to which the sensitivity of bacteria to certain antibiotics was established.

Among the antibacterial drugs for the treatment of mastitis, Cefradil, Amoxiclav, Gentamicin, Cefazolin and many others are most often used. In this case, antibiotics can be used as tablets or administered intravenously or intramuscularly.

Purulent mastitis cannot be cured without surgery. The operation is complete and involves general anesthesia. After its completion, the patient is always prescribed antibacterial drugs.

A woman will be able to resume lactation only after complete recovery and official permission from the doctor.

As for the methods of “folk” treatment of mastitis, they are recognized as ineffective, because most of the herbs used cannot suppress the infection even while relieving the symptoms of mastitis.

If you notice the first suspicious symptoms, do not under any circumstances delay a visit to a specialist: without his help, you will not be able to cope with the manifestations of mastitis on your own.