What is mastitis?

Mastitis can be described as an infection that affects a woman’s breast tissue, which leads to redness, swelling and pain in the breast. Women who are suffering from this infection may also experience chills and fever.


Mastitis is generally seen in women around three months or so, after they give birth to their babies and start nursing them. However, it is not unusual for this condition to occur later, too, as the woman continues to breastfeed her baby. Many health experts claim that there is a strong correlation between breastfeeding and mastitis.


Therefore, it is safe to say that mastitis symptoms are seen mainly in those women who are breast feeding. However, in some rare instances, this condition can also affect women who are neither lactating, nor breastfeeding. Mastitis can cause a woman to feel rundown and exhausted, due to which she may not be able to care for her baby in the way that she would like to. Moreover, most women who suffer from this problem tend to wean their babies before they would like to. However, not a lot of women are aware of the fact that they can continue breastfeeding their babies, in spite of being affected by the infection.

While any woman who is breastfeeding can be affected by mastitis and its symptoms, this condition is more likely to occur in women, who have either cracked or sore nipples or wear a bra that is too tight and restricts the flow of milk from the nipple. Women who have suffered from mastitis on a previous occasion are also quite likely to experience it again, while breastfeeding. As soon as this condition is identified it is important to consult a doctor, because if left untreated, it could lead to certain complications, such as milk stasis or an abscess, which contains pus.

Causes of Mastitis

One of the main causes of mastitis in women is the entry of bacteria into the breast. The bacteria can enter a woman’s breast either through a crack in the skin, of the nipple or through a beak. At times, the bacteria could also move through the opening of the milk ducts in the nipple. It is not just the bacteria living on the surface of the skin, but also the bacteria from the baby’s mouth have a strong chance of entering the milk duct. These bacteria multiply very fast, leading to a lot of pain, swelling, redness, as well as breastfeeding mastitis abscess.

Mastitis Symptoms

Most of the signs of mastitis appear suddenly, which is probably why most women find it difficult to deal with this condition. While it is more common for the breastfeeding mastitis symptoms to become evident within the first few weeks, it is not uncommon for them to crop up later on too, if the woman is still feeding her baby. Given below are some of the most common signs of mastitis in women:

• Tenderness in the breasts
• The area of the breast begin to feel warm to the touch
• Swelling in the breast area 
• Experiencing pain or a burning sensation, only while breastfeeding, or on a constant basis
• High fever, which crosses 101 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C. 
• The general feeling of illness, malaise or feeling under the weather
• Redness seen on the skin, usually in a wedge shaped pattern
  

While it is important to consult a doctor, in case symptoms like breast pain and swelling are experienced, people should seek immediate medical attention, in case symptoms like breastfeeding mastitis fever are seen.

Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of mastitis are quite similar to a rare form of breast cancer. However, women suffering from mastitis usually respond positively to antibiotics, whereas that is not the case with women who are suffering from breast cancer. Therefore, it is best for all people to consult a doctor for detailed information on any mastitis symptoms and treatment options.

Treatment for Mastitis

There are three different aspects to the treatment for mastitis in breastfeeding women. First of all there are certain medicines, like antibiotics, which can reduce the symptoms and prevent the possibilities of a relapse in women. However, it is absolutely essential to follow the proper course of antibiotics, which could either be a 10 day course or a 14 day one. Most women claim that they feel better within 48 hours of taking antibiotics. Breastfeeding mastitis treatment also includes self care remedies, such as drinking a lot of fluids and getting adequate amounts of rest and sleep during the day. In case of babies who nurse just a little, bit, it is absolutely essential for the mother to empty the milk, especially from the effected breast on a regular basis. A breast pump can be used for this purpose. Apart from medical treatment for mastitis in women, it is also important for women to review their breastfeeding techniques and make the right changes, if necessary.

Other home remedies for dealing with mastitis in women include:

• Maintaining a fixed routine for nursing the baby
• Wearing a bra that provides the proper support. 
• Drinking a lot of water and other healthy liquids during the day 
• Changing the positions while breastfeeding 
• Emptying out the breast on a frequent basis. 
• Getting the adequate amount of rest and sleep in the day
  

Preventing Mastitis

Fortunately, it is possible to avoid suffering from a painful condition such as mastitis. There are many women, especially those who have suffered from mastitis before, who actually visit lactation specialists and consultants for breastfeeding mastitis prevention. A woman’s chances of getting mastitis can also be minimized by making sure that the milk is completely drained from the breast, either while breast feeding, or by getting the milk extracted with the help of a breast pump. It is also best for women to change the position that they use for feeding.

Mastitis can be quite a serious problem, if it is not checked and controlled in time. Therefore, it is best for women to consult a doctor as soon as the symptoms become evident.