| Alternative names |
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Duct ectasia, Zuska’s disease, Subareolar abscess, Periductal inflammation
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| Causes and risk factors |
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Bacteria from baby’s mouth and skin enter the breast through cracks or break in the skin of the nipple or through the opening to the milk duct of the nipple. After entry they start growing there and cause pain, swelling and redness of the affected breast.
It is more common within six weeks after the delivery.
Previous episode of mastitis, tight fitting bra, cracked nipple skin and use of only one position while breast feeding are the risk factors for mastitis.
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| Signs and symptoms |
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Symptoms of puerperal mastitis and non puerperal mastitis are similar.
Puerperal mastitis occurs in pregnancy, during lactation or weaning. It is due to blocked milk or excess milk whereas non puerperal mastitis is not related to these situations.
Inflammation, reddening and pain of breast tissue are the symptoms of mastitis. Breast may be tender and warm to touch, continuous feeling of burning sensation and pain, general malaise or ill feeling, generally the redness is in wedge shaped pattern and fever of 101F or more are some more symptoms of mastitis.
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| Tests and tools |
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Mastitis is diagnosed by medical history and physical examination.
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| Treatment |
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Treatment of mastitis is oral administration of antibiotics. A course of 10-14 days of antibiotics is required. The symptoms may relieve in two to three days still it is important to complete the prescribed dose of antibiotic. Continued breast feeding, rest and intake of lots of fluid help in relieving symptoms.
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| Expectations (Prognosis) |
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Generally symptoms relieve with antibiotic treatment. Sometimes they do not relieve then further tests are required to rule out breast cancer.
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| Complications |
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There is difficulty in diagnosing breast cancer if mastitis is there. If the mastitis is not treated properly then it may cause breast abscess. Mastitis can be recurrent. Mastitis can cause milk stasis due to which pressure is created and the milk spreads to the surrounding breast tissue resulting in inflammation and pain.
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| Calling your health care provide |
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If there are symptoms of mastitis or the symptoms of mastitis do not go away in five weeks then one must get medical help and get thoroughly investigated.
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| Prevention |
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Emptying the entire breast is important. Feeding the baby with alternate breast can be done in case if incomplete emptying in earlier feeding.
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