Mastitis: definition, symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

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Definition

What is mastitis?

Mastitis is an infection of one or more of the ducts of the breast. The condition is usually associated with breastfeeding and can cause severe pain if it is not detected and treated promptly.

This infection that occurs due to breastfeeding is also known as lactation mastitis. Mastitis is one of the many problems with breastfeeding mothers and the challenges of breastfeeding.

Although cases of mastitis often occur in breastfeeding mothers, women who have never given birth and breastfeeding as well as women who enter menopause can experience it too.

How common is this condition?

Mastitis is a condition that can affect breastfeeding women. As many as 2-3 percent of breastfeeding women develop mastitis within the first 6-12 months after giving birth or during breastfeeding.

Mastitis is a condition that can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of lactation mastitis?

Symptoms or features of mastitis that appear can develop very rapidly. At the beginning of its appearance, the symptoms you are experiencing are conditions that may at first glance look like flu symptoms.

The body usually feels cold, chills, to make the body temperature rise, aka fever.

However, there are also breastfeeding mothers and women who are not breastfeeding who do not experience these flu-like symptoms.

In other words, the absence of mastitis symptoms can make you experience mastitis suddenly.

A series of mastitis symptoms that you need to be aware of are as follows:

1. Swollen breasts

Swelling of the breasts is one of the most visible symptoms of mastitis. You certainly know very well the shape and size of your breasts.

Indeed, breast size usually tends to increase during breastfeeding. However, this change in the size of the enlarged breast is different from the swelling due to mastitis.

2. A lump appears in the breast

Breastfeeding does not make nipples and breasts sore, it is a myth of breastfeeding mothers.

However, the appearance of a lump in the breast that causes pain can be a symptom of mastitis.

Yes, sometimes, breast swelling can also be accompanied by the appearance of a lump.

Breast lumps as a symptom of mastitis are conditions caused by thickening of the breast tissue.

3. Breast pain

Pain and heat are the main symptoms of an infected breast in the milk ducts. This discomfort can happen at any time.

However, when you are breastfeeding your baby, the pain and pain will get worse, including when touched.

4. Red breasts

The appearance of lumps and swelling in the breasts is also enhanced by the redness of the skin on the breasts like an irritated rash.

In fact, when the breasts are touched there are some areas that feel hot.

5. Itchy breasts

Apart from feeling painful when touched or not, other symptoms of mastitis also cause itching in the breast area.

6. There is a sore on the nipple or breast skin

Mastitis caused by bacterial infection usually occurs due to a small cut or cut right on the nipple or in the breast area around the nipple.

The wound or gap then makes it easier for bacteria to move and enter the breast, causing this condition.

7. There are red streaks on the breasts

As your breasts become swollen, you may notice the appearance of several red streaks on the skin of your breasts.

This condition can occur due to inflammation of the tissue in the breast.

Other symptoms that may appear

Apart from these symptoms, there are other symptoms that can occur alongside the main symptoms.

The various supporting symptoms of mastitis are as follows:

• Fever or an increase in body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
• The body feels cold and shivers
• Severe fatigue
• Stress and anxiety
• Discomfort in the body

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms above or have questions, consult a doctor immediately. Each person's body condition is not always the same.

Discuss with your doctor to find the best solution for your condition.

Cause

What causes lactation mastitis?

The cause of mastitis can be due to an infection that attacks the breast ducts or without infection.

Therefore, an infected breast usually looks swollen, reddish in color, and feels painful. It can also give you a fever and chills.

Broadly speaking, here are some of the causes of mastitis that breastfeeding mothers are prone to:

1. Clogged milk ducts

Before breastmilk (ASI) is released by the nipples, breast milk goes through a long process until it can finally provide the baby and mother with the benefits of breastfeeding.

Breast milk produced by the breast glands, including exclusive breast milk, is then flowed by the milk ducts until it empties into the last place, namely the nipple.

Unfortunately, the channel of breast milk is not always smooth. Under certain conditions, these ducts can become blocked, causing milk to accumulate in the breast.

The more breast milk that accumulates, the more risk it is to cause inflammation.

This is probably because the accumulation of breastmilk triggers pressure indirectly.

The pressure is like forcing or pushing the milk into a blocked duct.

The presence of blockages in the milk ducts does not just happen. Non-stick baby suction factor (latch on) Appropriately on the nipple during breastfeeding can clog the milk ducts, causing mastitis.

This suction factor can be influenced by problems during breastfeeding such as the baby tongue-tie or abnormalities in the tongue.

Accustomed to breastfeeding only on one breast can also cause clogged ducts.

The reason is, milk production that continues to be carried out by the mammary glands does not come out of the breast because the baby is not sucked.

As a result, breast milk will actually build up on one breast and then block the flow. In addition, this blockage can also be caused by the breasts that are not completely empty while breastfeeding.

2. Bacterial infection

If the blocked milk ducts do not involve bacteria, the cause of mastitis due to infection is certainly triggered by the presence of bacteria.

Bacteria are common on everyone's skin, but they are actually harmless.

However, when these bacteria get through the skin, they may cause an infection.

The bacterial infection that causes mastitis can enter the breast tissue because the skin on the areola or the area around the nipple is damaged.

On the other hand, milk that is blocked in the milk ducts can also lead to infection.

In fact, the environment of good and fresh breast milk does not support the proliferation of bacteria.

Damage to the nipple and areola surrounding the nipple, causing mastitis, can be due to improper suction of the baby during breastfeeding.

Using a breast pump that is positioned incorrectly on the nipple also carries the same risk.

Not only that, the bacteria that cause mastitis can also move from the baby's mouth to suck on your nipples, especially if there are sores and gaps in the nipples.

As a result, bacteria can easily enter and trigger an infection in the milk ducts.

3. Other causes

Apart from a blockage in the milk ducts and bacterial infection, there are other things that can cause mastitis.

As explained earlier, there is a possibility that women who are not breastfeeding can experience mastitis.

For women who have not given birth and who are breastfeeding, this condition is known as periductal mastitis.

The cause of periductal mastitis can be due to an infection in the breast. This infection is preceded by the appearance of chronic inflammation of the lower part of the nipple.

As a result, the nipple can become injured, sore, or create a gap, which makes it easier for bacteria to get into it.

Usually, periductal mastitis occurs in women aged 20-30 years. Meanwhile, mastitis experienced by women who have entered or are menopausal is known as duct ectasia mastitis.

This is because the ducts located inside the nipple become wider and shorter with age.

Although there is nothing to worry about, ductal ecstatic mastitis is a condition that risks irritating and injuring the lining of the breast ducts.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of getting this infection?

Mastitis is a condition that can be influenced by several risk factors, namely:

• Have had mastitis before
• Are in the breastfeeding period during the first few weeks after delivery
• The nipple hurts and hurts like cracks
• Often use a bra that is too tight
• Putting excessive pressure on the breasts, such as using a seat belt too tightly or carrying a heavy bag that blocks the flow of milk
• Severe stress and fatigue
• Inadequate intake of daily nutrients
• Smoke
• Always use one position to feed the baby

Generally, mastitis is a condition commonly experienced by breastfeeding mothers, especially when the milk does not completely come out of the breast and instead accumulates inside.

However, this milk duct infection can also be experienced by women who have diabetes, AIDS, chronic diseases, or disorders of the immune system.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose mastitis?

Doctors diagnose mastitis through symptoms and examinations. A blood test, breast milk analysis, or a sample of bacteria from the baby's mouth may also be done depending on the needs.

Rare forms of breast cancer such as inflamed breast cancer can also cause redness and swelling which is often mistaken for mastitis.

Your doctor may recommend a breast mammography test. If signs and symptoms persist even after going through all stages of antibiotics, you will need a biopsy to make sure you don't have breast cancer.

What are my treatment options for mastitis?

The main cause of mastitis is the presence of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or S. aureus . Complaints about mastitis will certainly complicate the breastfeeding process.

Your doctor can give you medicines to treat bacteria S. aureus while reducing the severity of symptoms.

Take it easy, doctors certainly provide drugs that are safe for breastfeeding mothers. However, women with mild mastitis do not need to stop breastfeeding.

Properly emptying the breast will stop bacteria from accumulating in the breast and help shorten the infection period.

Well, the various choices of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat mastitis during breastfeeding are as follows:

1. Dicloxacillin

Dicloxacillin is one type of drinking antibiotic. Dicloxacillin is a mastitis drug that you cannot buy carelessly in pharmacies because it is classified as an antibiotic, which requires a doctor's prescription.

Antibiotics will help fight the bacterial infection that causes mastitis.

The choice of antibiotic for you during breastfeeding usually depends on your health condition, as well as whether there is a drug allergy.

That's why it's important to tell your doctor about any current health conditions, medical history, and any drug allergies you may have.

Dicloxacillin is safe to drink as a mastitis drug during breastfeeding.

The levels of this drug are fairly low in breast milk and are also not expected to cause bad side effects in the baby.

Quoting from Breastfeeding Medicine, the rules of drinking dicloxacillin are usually 4 times a day for a size of 500 milligrams (mg), or according to doctor's instructions.

2. Flucloxacillin

Just like dicloxacillin, flucloxacillin is an antibiotic drug that can help treat the symptoms of mastitis due to bacteria. S. aureus .

Both dicloxacillin and flucloxacillin are types of antibiotics in the penicillin group. The rules for taking flucloxacillin are also the same as dicloxacllin, which is 4 times a day in a size of 500 mg.

The rules for taking flucloxacillin mastitis medicine are when the stomach is empty or, to be precise, about 30-60 minutes before eating.

3. Cefalexin

If a nursing mother has mastitis but is allergic to penicillin, of course the antibiotics dicloxacillin and flucloxacillin cannot be given.

In these conditions, the recommended solution for mastitis medication is cefalexin.

In short, giving antibiotics to treat mastitis must be readjusted to your condition.

Cefalexin can help treat bacterial infections S. aureus as a cause of mastitis.

Cephalexin is usually prescribed by doctors for cases of infection of the milk ducts that are not too severe without an abscess.

You don't need to worry because cefalexin (Keflex) is relatively safe to use during breastfeeding.

With a note, you are taking this medicine according to the dosage recommended by your doctor.

Taking excessive cefalexin during breastfeeding can affect the milk content of the baby.

4.Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is one of several types of pain relievers (anti-inflammatory) that can be used during breastfeeding to treat mastitis.

On the other hand, this drug can also help relieve fever which is often one of the characteristics of mastitis.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is one of the mastitis drugs that you can get at pharmacies because it is classified as an over the counter (OTC) drug.

It is feared that several types of drugs will affect the natural taste of breast milk that babies drink.

However, launching from the Mayo Clinic page, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe to drink while you are breastfeeding.

The rule of taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) is about 1-2 tablets within 8 hours.

Avoid taking this drug more than 6 tablets within 24 hours. Although acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an OTC drug, you should obey the rules and take the dosage according to your doctor or pharmacist.

5.Ibuprofen (Advil)

Another pain reliever drug that can be purchased over the counter (OTC) is ibuprofen (Advil).

This medicine is safe to take during breastfeeding because it is low in breast milk.

However, to be on the safe side, you should talk to your doctor first before taking medicines during breastfeeding.

Although this drug is considered safe to drink while breastfeeding, still pay attention to the drinking rules.

Avoid taking ibuprofen (Advil) more than the recommended dosage. In addition, this drug is also not recommended to drink if you have stomach ulcers and asthma.

This is because ibuprofen (Advil) can cause stomach bleeding and bronchospasm.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat lactation mastitis?

Apart from medical drugs, treatment for mastitis can also be given with natural remedies.

According to the International Journal of Phytomedicine, there are several plants that are considered to be natural home remedies for mastitis.

One such plant, namely Momordica charantia which in Indonesia is known as the bitter melon plant.

However, it would be nice not to use this treatment without consulting your doctor first.

Lifestyle and other home remedies that may help treat mastitis include the following:

• Maintain cleanliness during breastfeeding. Avoid using the dryer, always wash your hands, and keep the nipple and baby clean.
• Avoid dehydration. Drink more fluids.
• Get enough rest and eat food for breastfeeding mothers.
• Breastfeed from the uninfected breast and empty both breasts with a breast pump on the infected breast.
• Check with your doctor within 1-2 weeks to see if the infection has cleared up.

Always apply the proper way of storing breast milk after pumping the milk and give it according to the baby's feeding schedule.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.