Recurrent mastitis. Mastitis: home treatment with traditional methods. Symptoms and signs of mastitis

Many women know what mastitis is, especially those who have carried and fed a child.

This is the name for inflammation of the mammary gland, the causative agent of which in 95% of cases is Staphylococcus aureus. It can be acute or chronic, lactational or non-lactational, caused by infection with harmful organisms, or appear due to stagnation of milk.

After childbirth, nine out of ten women experience it; first-time mothers are most susceptible to inflammation. Moreover, the disease can appear in men and even children; we will talk about all the varieties in detail in this article.

Mastitis is usually divided into several forms or stages, which smoothly flow from one to another if the disease is not treated. Each of them is accompanied by its own symptoms.

Serous mastitis begins when harmful organisms invade the breast tissue, symptoms:

• The temperature rises to 38-38.5 degrees, the patient shudders;
• The body weakens, appetite is lost, headache appears;
• A constant and nagging pain appears in the chest area, increasing over time;
• The skin in the area of ​​inflammation turns red and thickened areas appear.

The infiltrative stage is accompanied by the union of foci of inflammation, and swelling appears.

Accompanied by:

• High body temperature;
• Increasing pain;
• The mammary glands become dense;
• Lymph nodes in the armpit area become enlarged.

Purulent mastitis, the most difficult phase, in which the infiltrate begins to fill with pus.

Symptoms:

• Body temperature rises to 39.5 degrees or higher;
• Severe and continuous pain appears in the affected area, often throbbing;
• The lymph nodes in the armpit area continue to enlarge and become painful.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in a nursing mother is called lactation mastitis; it is often observed soon after the birth of a child, and during feeding. The likelihood of its occurrence during breastfeeding increases if the mother expresses milk incorrectly or puts the baby to the breast. This leads to lactose stagnation and the appearance of microtraumas in the nipple, through which microbes penetrate the body.

The fibrocystic form of the disease can appear not only in lactating women, but also in men. The disease can be provoked by disrupted hormonal balance in the body, climate change, mechanical damage to the mammary gland, causing necrosis of fatty tissue. Diabetic patients are also prone to this disease.

Male mastitis is extremely rare, since at birth the glands in men are reduced, and therefore they are not intended for feeding children, and remain as undeveloped rudiments. However, hormonal changes may well provoke mastitis, due to which the glandular tissue begins to grow and then becomes inflamed.

In general, the symptoms resemble those that appear in other breast diseases. It can be confused with inflammation of the skin, subcutaneous tissues or muscles in the chest area, so before starting treatment, you need to be examined by a doctor.

Symptoms in men:

• The mammary glands increase in size;
• Redness appears in the affected area;
• The inflamed area is swollen and painful;
• Other signs of inflammation.

Due to the fact that the disease is provoked by hormonal imbalance, other symptoms appear, such as decreased potency, voice changes, muscle and fat mass can be redistributed.

In this case, all symptoms remain mild until mastitis becomes purulent. The diagnosis becomes obvious, but the only treatment available at this stage is surgical intervention.

Signs of mastitis

Since inflammation of the mammary glands most often occurs in women, they are the ones who are most familiar with all its manifestations. It is quite simple to recognize it - increased temperature, change in breast size, tissue compaction, pain and increased sensitivity. In a nursing mother, the disease can cause symptoms similar to the common flu; the disease develops very quickly, a few days after the first symptoms appear, the skin begins to turn red, and the lactation process causes a burning sensation and pain.

In most cases, the disease affects only one breast; 6 months after the birth of the child, the threat of inflammation becomes minimal. But in the first two to three weeks immediately after the baby is born, the probability of occurrence is quite high, and this persists for three months.

If a woman has already gotten sick once and has treated mastitis, she remains at an increased risk of reoccurrence of the disease. When signs appear, treatment must begin immediately, moreover, “grandmother’s remedies,” no matter how proven and reliable, must be combined with treatment under the supervision of a doctor, otherwise mastitis may become purulent, after which surgery will be required.

Women over 30 years of age may experience non-lactational mastitis, which develops against a background of weakened immunity and the body as a whole, which causes sluggish pathologies to appear.

At first, the signs remain subtle, making diagnosis difficult. Between 40 and 60 years of age, symptoms may resemble breast cancer to determine the cause of the inflammation by excision of tissue in the affected area of ​​the breast.

Signs of mastitis in men are very small compared to women, and therefore inflammatory processes cannot lead to noticeable discomfort. Only if mastitis appears against the background of a hormonal imbalance, simultaneously with a weakened immune system, and if no measures are taken to treat it, the disease can develop to a purulent stage.

The disease can also develop in children, most often in newborns. Appears as a result of infectious infection in the first few weeks of a baby’s life; harmful microorganisms can enter the mammary gland area through blood vessels from other foci of infection, or due to mechanical damage. It proceeds extremely quickly, and within a day it can reach the purulent stage. The intensity of inflammation and the likelihood of its occurrence does not depend on the gender of the child.

The symptoms differ little from those indicated above:

• A sharp increase in temperature;
• Apathy or excessive excitability of the child;
• Refusal to eat;
• The affected gland increases significantly in size;
• On the second day, the affected area swells, turns red, and becomes painful.

If there is even the slightest suspicion of mastitis in an infant, you should immediately seek medical help; the child and mother are most often admitted to a hospital, where the infant will be treated with antibiotics and vitamins.

Mastitis occurs in girls during adolescence; this is a consequence of hormonal changes in the young body, due to which the immune system is temporarily weakened. It can develop to complex forms only if nothing is done.

You can learn more about the signs of mastopathy here:

Treatment of mastitis

Regardless of the stage of mastitis, it must be treated under the supervision of a doctor. As soon as a nursing mother appears the first signs of illness, such as malaise, high fever, she should contact her treating gynecologist, he will conduct an examination, determine the cause of the disease, and prescribe appropriate treatment. That is, treating mastitis at home is not recommended.

The first thing the doctor will do for examination is a blood test, the second measure will be to culture the milk for sterility, this will make it possible to determine the pathogen by their reaction to the antibiotic. Verifying the diagnosis takes some time, so if severe symptoms are present, treatment begins immediately and is subsequently adjusted depending on the pathogen. Breastfeeding is stopped as it may harm the baby. Milk contains both the pathogen and medications introduced into the body. The period for which the child needs to be weaned and transferred to artificial feeding is discussed with the attending physician.

In medical practice, antibiotic treatment is first prescribed. To do this, choose those that penetrate the breast tissue as quickly as possible, and they must be as effective as possible against the causative agent of infection. This selection of medications allows you to create a maximum concentration of the antibiotic in the tissues of the mammary gland, where it can fight harmful microorganisms. The antibiotic is administered intramuscularly or intravenously; the doctor may also prescribe drugs in tablets.

The use of antibacterial drugs lasts 5-10 days, depending on the doctor’s prescription.

It is important for breastfeeding women to empty breasts that are sore to avoid milk stagnation, so your doctor may prescribe hormonal medications designed to speed up milk flow and release. Expressing is a mandatory procedure during treatment; it must be done every 3-3.5 hours.

Naturally, such measures are not necessary in case of mastitis in men. Treatment in this case comes down to conventional medical intervention using antibiotics.

If the disease has developed to a purulent form, surgical intervention and further treatment in a hospital are indicated. The purulent abscess is opened in order to prevent further development of the disease. The doctor may prescribe infusion therapy, which involves administering glucose and saline solutions through an IV, this reduces intoxication and supports metabolism. If the disease appears due to weakened immunity, the use of immunomodulators is allowed.

After purulent mastitis has been cured, the milk produced in the breast is checked for the presence of pathogens or drug residues. The study is carried out for about a week, if it shows a negative result, the mother can feed her child again.

Many people think about treating mastitis with folk remedies, but the disease is too serious to self-medicate. Applying various herbs and compresses to the chest can indeed promote healing, but such “medicines” can also cause harm if used thoughtlessly. They can be used, but only after consulting a doctor.

As you know, it is much easier to prevent the development of a disease than to treat it. A woman may well exclude the occurrence of mastitis after the birth of a child, or reduce the likelihood of its occurrence to a minimum, for this she can:

By following the correct feeding schedule so that it remains natural and avoiding stress, you can minimize the likelihood of breast inflammation.

While carrying a child, the mammary glands are prepared for future lactation; if mastopathy is present, or if the woman has previously undergone breast surgery, it is necessary to consult a mammologist.

In the second half of pregnancy, you need to wash your breasts every day with cool water and wipe them dry with a hard towel, massaging the nipples. The use of special ointments and creams is allowed. Hygiene cannot be neglected even after childbirth, the mammary glands must be washed every day up to 3-4 times, the bra must be comfortable. The mother should have the opportunity to take regular walks and eat properly.

By following these simple rules, you can avoid the occurrence of mastitis and ensure normal feeding of the child.

Mastitis is a purulent inflammatory process of the mammary gland, in which the patency of the ducts is disrupted. Most often, the disorder occurs in women while breastfeeding.

The disease is caused by the activity of pyogenic microbes (mainly streptococci and staphylococci). The infection enters injured nipples through clothing, household items and from the child. The disease can also develop as a secondary infection through lesions of the genital organs during the postpartum period.

Types of mastitis in adults

Lactational. Occurs in women during breastfeeding. The main factors in the development of the disease are wearing uncomfortable underwear, improper attachment to the breast and pumping. This leads to nipple lesions and congestion, which are most favorable for infection and the development of pathogenic microflora.

Fibrocystic (non-lactational). This type of mastitis affects not only women, but also men of different age categories. It is caused by injury to the mammary glands, climatic changes (sharp change of belts) and disruption of hormonal levels. Metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus) are an additional factor in the onset of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease

The primary signs of mastitis are pronounced and their appearance is typical for all types of the disease. Main symptoms:

if the pathology is postpartum in nature, it manifests itself during the first month after birth;

the temperature rises sharply (up to 39 - 40 degrees), accompanied by characteristic symptoms - pain in the head, fever followed by chills, and severe weakness;

severe pain occurs in the mammary glands and fever increases.

If a visit to a specialist is postponed and proper therapeutic therapy is not carried out, the disease enters the acute phase of inflammation. After two days, the skin turns red, the breasts swell and a lump appears, accompanied by pain.

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Treatment options

If you experience primary symptoms of mastitis, you should immediately begin treatment under the supervision of a doctor. As an urgent measure (before visiting a specialist), cold applied to the inflamed area can be applied.

Treatment is prescribed on an individual basis, based on the form of the disease and the characteristics of its course.

At the first stage of the pathology (not burdened by acute purulent lesions), it is eliminated using conservative methods. For lactation mastitis, medication therapy is carried out if the patient feels well, with a temperature below 37.5 degrees and only one lump in the mammary glands.

To eliminate an abscess in nursing women, antibiotic drugs that are acceptable during feeding are prescribed. In some cases, in order to respect the interests of mother and baby, lactation may be temporarily or completely stopped.

For mastitis, cephalosporins and the penicillin group of antibiotics are usually prescribed. They are used intramuscularly, intravenously or in drinking mode. Anesthetics are used to eliminate pain.

Antibiotics are taken simultaneously with the elimination of the causes that led to the development of purulent pathology. As an addition, treatment may include desensitizing therapy, physiotherapy (laser therapy and UHF), taking vitamin supplements and eliminating anemia.

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If after two days of treatment there is no effect, in order to avoid complications of inflammation, the specialist prescribes a more radical measure - surgery, in which the abscess is opened and the affected areas of tissue are removed.

In women who are not breastfeeding, general symptoms may be similar to signs of cancer in the breast area. In this case, to identify an accurate diagnosis, a small affected part is pinched off to conduct an analysis confirming the non-cancerous nature of the disease.

The main measure to prevent the occurrence of mastitis will be its timely prevention. Women during lactation should avoid injury to the nipples and congestion by expressing milk on time. In addition, it is important to strictly adhere to the rules of personal hygiene and wear comfortable underwear (special bras recommended for use have been developed for nursing mothers).

At the slightest suspicion of mastitis, you should contact a mammologist and your treating gynecologist.

A woman's body is subject to constant changes. The frequency of menstrual cycles, the restructuring of the body during conception, carrying and after the birth of a child. Various factors can, which a woman usually does not suffer from. Mastitis often occurs in women who are breastfeeding their babies, although there are cases of occurrence in those representatives who have not given birth recently.

What is mastitis?

If you feel chest pain, then it may be mastitis. What it is? This is an inflammation of the mammary gland, which is located in a woman's chest. It is more common in women during lactation (breastfeeding). However, sometimes it occurs in newborn children and even men. Often it affects only one mammary gland, although bilateral involvement is possible.

Classification:

1. By form:
   • Spicy;
   • Chronic.
2. According to stages of development, they are divided into types:
   • The initial stage is serous mastitis - the penetration and proliferation of bacteria in the breast;
   • The second stage is infiltrative mastitis - inflammatory foci merge, general swelling of the breast occurs;
   • The third stage is purulent mastitis – purulent contents of the infiltrate. It, in turn, is divided into types:

• Abscess – a limited purulent focus (abscess);
• Phlegmonous - spread of pus throughout the tissue;
• Gangrenous – massive appearance of necrosis. Often treated by removing the breast.

• There is also pathological lactostasis (or latent, lactation mastitis), which manifests itself in nursing women when milk stagnates in the breast.

Causes of breast mastitis

The main reason for the development of mastitis of the mammary gland is the penetration of infection (bacteria or viruses). This includes:

1. streptococci,
2. Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
3. staphylococci,
4. coli.

The infection finds its way through wounds and abrasions on the nipples, as well as through the excretory ducts. It can be transmitted through the lymph or blood from other organs that are affected by infection.

Without contributing factors, the body can fight off the infection. However, their presence worsens the woman’s situation. What are these factors?

• Breast injury. The infection penetrates through wounds;
• Stagnation of milk, which is a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria;
• Hypothermia;
• Weakness of immunity;
• Hormonal imbalances that dilate the excretory ducts of the mammary gland and open the way to infections.

Symptoms and signs

Common symptoms and signs of mastitis are:

• Deterioration of condition: fever, chills, weakness, headache;
• Pain and enlargement of the breast;
• Redness of the skin of the chest;
• Palpable tissue compaction in the breast area.

Signs of latent mastitis:

1. Slight increase in temperature to 37.5ºС;
2. Painful sensations when pressing;
3. Induration of the mammary glands.

Signs of serous mastitis:

1. Chills;
2. Raising the temperature to 38.5ºС;
3. Nagging pain that gets worse when breastfeeding;
4. Weakness;
5. Headache;
6. Redness of the chest;
7. Decreased appetite;
8. Palpable breast lumps.

Symptoms of infiltrative mastitis:

1. Heat;
2. Inactive breast lump;
3. Severe chest pain;
4. Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit with corresponding symptoms, as with lymphadenitis, on the side of the affected breast.

With purulent mastitis, the symptoms intensify:

1. Fever up to 39.5ºС;
2. The skin of the chest is red and hot;
3. Chills;
4. Changes in the outline and shape of the mammary gland, swelling;
5. Severe throbbing pain;
6. Axillary lymphadenitis is pronounced.

A non-breastfeeding woman exhibits the same symptoms and stages of mastitis development as a breastfeeding woman, only there is no latent stage.

When an abscess forms (abscess mastitis), symptoms appear:

1. Persistent painful swelling;
2. Purulent discharge from the nipple;
3. Persistent fever, despite all antipyretic medications taken and measures to eliminate the disease.

Mastitis in children

Despite the fact that mastitis mostly affects nursing women, it can also occur in newborns. The reason for this is the penetration of infections through the mother. In this case, the baby's breasts may temporarily swell, regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl. Typically, physiological swelling goes away on its own. However, it is better to consult a pediatrician who, if treatment is necessary, will prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs that will quickly eliminate the pathology.

Mastitis in adults

Mastitis in adults occurs mainly in women: more often during breastfeeding, but cases also occur in non-breastfeeding women. In men, the disease occurs quite rarely due to infection penetration through lymph, blood or damaged nipples.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of inflammation of the mammary gland is carried out first when a woman complains to a doctor (mammologist, surgeon), which raised suspicions about the development of the disease. How long ago did they appear, what did the woman suffer from before or during this, how clearly do they manifest themselves? The doctor performs a general examination and palpates the breasts to confirm suspected mastitis. Without instrumental and laboratory tests, a diagnosis cannot be made:

• Blood analysis;
• Microbiological analysis of secreted contents from the mammary gland;
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• Check for other inflammatory diseases in other organs.

Treatment

Treatment of mastitis depends on the stage of the disease, since the methods used at each stage differ significantly:

1. At the stage of lactostasis:
   • Expressing milk;
   • More frequent latching of the baby to the breast;
   • Gland massage;
   • Dry warming of the chest (with a heating pad);
   • A bandage or special bra that holds the breasts.
2. At the stage of serous and infiltrative manifestations:

• Physiotherapy is prescribed: UHF, microwaves, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasound.
• Medicines are prescribed: antibiotics, immunoglobulins, adaptogens, painkillers, vitamins.
• Ibuprofen (relieves pain) and paracetamol are prescribed.

1. At the stage of purulent manifestation:

• The pus is surgically opened and the contents are removed;
• The purulent cavity is washed with antiputrefactive drugs (antiseptics);
• A drain is placed to allow the contents to drain while healing occurs.

Infusion therapy—drip intravenous administration of glucose and saline solutions—proved to work well.

How is purulent lesion of the entire breast tissue treated? Only by complete removal of the breast - mastectomy. Over time, plastic surgery is permitted to restore the shape of the breast.

Mastitis cannot be treated at home. However, preventive measures are allowed that help in the early stages of development, as well as after recovery:

• Wearing the right bra that does not press or pinch your breasts;
• Maintaining correct breastfeeding technique;
• Maintaining personal hygiene;
• Timely expression of milk that the baby does not drink;
• No hypothermia;
• Treatment for all infectious diseases that occur in other parts of the body;
• See a doctor at the first manifestations of mastitis;
• Rest;
• Warm compresses to the chest.

Plasma cell mastitis is treated with x-rays or, if this does not help, excision of the affected area.

No diet is prescribed during treatment. Since a woman is breastfeeding, her diet completely depends on this period. The baby should receive all the nutritional vitamins and substances that help him be strong and healthy.

Life forecast

Although mastitis is an infectious disease, it does not in any way worsen a woman’s life prognosis. If you start treatment in a timely manner, then you can avoid any negative consequences. How long do women live with mastitis? It all depends on the complications, if we are talking about the fact that the patient is not treated:

• Destruction of breast tissue.
• Breast deformation.
• Loss of the breast's ability to produce milk, resulting in the inability to breastfeed.
• Spread of infection to adjacent tissues, for example, causing lymphadenitis.
• Sepsis is the penetration of pus and infection into the blood, which spreads pathogens throughout the body.

Mastitis is one of the most common breast diseases, which is characterized by infectious and inflammatory processes in the breast tissue. This inflammation has a high rate of spread. The effect of inflammation is expressed in purulent destruction of the glands and breast tissue, which can lead to blood poisoning. First of all, girls who are just preparing to become a mother should become familiar with the symptoms and types of mastitis.

Inflammation is caused by an infection, which in the vast majority of cases is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium causes non-critical skin lesions in the form of acne, etc. But it can also lead to dangerous phenomena (meningitis, pneumonia, mastitis, etc.). It is the penetration of staphylococcus into the breast tissue that causes breastfeeding (the old name for mastitis).

Nowadays, doctors are increasingly faced with cases of mastitis, which are caused by a whole complex of bacteria that have entered the mammary gland and caused infectious inflammation with suppuration. Most often, these are gram-positive staphylococci and gram-negative Escherichia coli.

Mastitis in women can be lactation or non-lactation. Lactation mastitis occurs during lactation (especially in girls giving birth for the first time). Non-lactation mastitis appears even in non-breastfeeding women aged 15 to 60 years. It is logical to assume that the causes of mastitis for each form are different, but there are also common factors among them:

• Decreased immune capabilities of the body, which cannot suppress inflammation.
• Stagnation of milk in the breast (lactostasis) is a common cause of mastitis.
• The presence of direct pathways for bacteria to penetrate into the mammary gland (wounds, nipple cracks).
• Mastopathy and other breast diseases. Their complications lead to infectious inflammation (mastitis).

Risk factors for developing mastitis

The entry of Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens into human breast tissue will not necessarily lead to inflammation and suppuration. Inflammation of the mammary gland in women is caused by anatomical and systemic factors that reduce the body’s ability to suppress infection in the mammary glands, or make it easier for bacteria to work:

• Hormonal imbalances leading to mastopathy.
• Microcracks and other damage to the nipple and areola (especially during feeding).
• Surgical interventions, scar formations in the mammary glands.
• Anomalies in the shape of the nipples - flat, lobed and others.
• Difficult pregnancy, late toxicosis.
• Low patency of the mammary gland ducts, too much milk produced.
• Diseases that reduce immunity.
• Stressful conditions, insomnia and other psychological complications.

The disease “mastitis” manifests itself due to imperfection of the milk ducts, insufficient development of the nipple, impaired feeding technique and expressing milk.

Symptoms of mastitis

The symptoms of mastitis vary depending on the form of inflammation, as well as the current stage of mastitis. In general, we can identify common signs of mastitis that are observed in patients:

• The appearance of discomfort in the chest area. With the development of mastitis and the growth of inflammation, discomfort develops into pain.
• The breasts increase in size, swelling of the mammary gland is observed. With bilateral infection, both mammary glands are susceptible to these changes.
• Redness of the skin over the site of inflammatory processes is observed, which is accompanied by local swelling of the chest tissue. Pain is felt when touched and palpated.
• Enlargement and occurrence of pain in the lymph nodes. In particular - in the armpits.
• Weakness of the body as a whole. The patient feels unwell and constantly lethargic, and loses his appetite.
• Body temperature rises. In the initial stages of the disease up to 37-38°C. At the finals, up to 39-40°C.
• The stage of development of an abscess (late forms of mastitis) is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and headache. All this develops into convulsions and loss of consciousness, the patient is often in infectious-toxic shock. With timely treatment, this group of symptoms can be avoided.

Clinical forms of mastitis

The clinical picture of mastitis refers to the development of inflammation in a woman 1-4 weeks after the birth of a child (the most common cases of mastitis). The classification of mastitis allows us to identify two main forms of inflammation: chronic and acute. Chronic mastitis does not cause significant harm to human health; the disease occurs locally and does not spread throughout the tissues.

There are two ambiguous forms of mastitis:

• Plasmacytic mastitis, also called periductal mastitis. It is not inflammation in the truest sense of the word. There is an expansion of the mammary gland ducts, in which creamy contents (plasma, lymphocytes, histiocytes) are present. At times, purulent discharge occurs from the mammary gland through the nipple. Often confused with mastopathy or cancer. Mostly occurs in older women.
• Fibrocystic mastitis, its development is associated with disturbances in hormone levels and pathologies of the thyroid gland. Presents as painful lumps inside the mammary glands. It most often manifests itself in girls during puberty and in women during menopause.

The types of mastitis are associated with the stage of development of the disease.

Serous

The initial stage of mastitis development. It is very easy to confuse it with banal lactostasis. Mastitis begins to develop on days 2-5 of breast milk stagnation. In the section of the mammary gland, where stable lactostasis is observed, the tissues are saturated with serum (serum). Local inflammation of the breast tissue occurs, even without exposure to harmful microorganisms. A timely visit to a doctor (mammologist, gynecologist, therapist) will prevent the development of inflammation and quickly recover from mastitis.

There is a thickening of the chest area at the site of stagnation, the temperature of the affected area increases locally, swelling and pain are observed (typical accompaniments of inflammation). Expressing milk causes pain and does not bring relief. If the disease is ignored, mastitis develops into more severe purulent inflammation.

Infiltrative

Infiltrative mastitis is characterized by the accumulation of a mixture of lymph, blood and cellular particles in the breast tissue (which is called infiltrate), and can occur chronically. The reason for the development of the infiltrative form of the disease is damage by pathogenic bacteria. The duration of the stage is influenced by the body’s immune reserves and the aggressiveness (quantity) of staphylococcus, or its alliance with other bacteria. This type of mastitis can quickly move to the next stage of the disease. In the acute form or relapse of the chronic form of mastitis, patients experience leukocytosis.

Abscessing

This type is associated with the formation of abscesses. Purulent mastitis begins 4-6 days after the appearance of infiltration in the chest tissues. The painful sensations intensify, the breast tissue looks like a spongy material soaked in pus. On palpation, there is a sensation of fluid movement. Persistent intoxication is observed (weakness, headaches, etc.). If there is no surgical intervention at this stage, mastitis goes into terminal (destructive) stages.

Phlegmonous

Further development of purulent inflammation. An abscess causes complete swelling of the affected part of the body, redness of the chest adjacent to the bluish color of the surface tissues. Touching the chest causes sharp pain. The nipple is pulled inward. Body temperature ranges from 38-39°C (febrile). Purulent mastitis in some cases is accompanied by convulsions and loss of consciousness. Hospitalization for phlegmonous mastitis is strictly required.

Gangrenous

The last type of mastitis is gangrenous mastitis. The affected breast is much larger than the healthy one. Areas affected by necrosis are visible. Necrosis of breast tissue causes infectious-toxic shock. The destructive stage of mastitis is fatal. But there is a chance of a cure for gangrenous mastitis.

Forms, depending on location

Mastitis is also classified according to the place of occurrence:

• Intramammary localization of mastitis - inflammation occurs deep in the mammary glands and affects the glandular tissue. Occurs most often.
• Subcutaneous and subareolar mastitis is a superficial area of ​​suppuration of the breast tissue. With subcutaneous localization, inflammation is located in any area under the skin of the chest. With subareolar localization, the breast tissue under the areola of the nipple is affected. The cause is small ulcers, infected wounds and other injuries to the breasts and nipples.
• Retromammary mastitis is a breakthrough of purulent inflammation that occurs inside the breast tissue (retromammary area).

Manifestation of the disease in children and men

In the vast majority of cases, mastitis in newborns is confused with physiological mastopathy, which is also characterized by inflammation. Mastopathy refers to signs of normal adaptation of an infant to life outside the womb. It is associated with excess estrogen, which came from the mother during pregnancy. Ridding the baby's body of excess hormones causes engorgement of the breast tissue in children. Inflammation is observed in children of both sexes, but more often in girls.

Purulent mastitis appears very rarely in newborns. It is associated with improper baby hygiene, ignoring prickly heat and microdamage to the nipples. Often, parents’ attempts to cure “mastitis” in a newborn (which is actually mastopathy) lead to infection with the real disease.

Mastitis in men is also extremely rare. Reasons include diabetes, gynecomastia, tumors in the genital area, consumption of anabolic steroids and low-quality beer (estrogens). It is hormonal causes that in most cases are the causative agents of male mastitis. Treatment is similar to that for women.

Diagnostics

If pain and inflammation occur in the chest area, a person should immediately consult a doctor: mammologist, pediatrician or gynecologist. The surgeon also treats mastitis.

The process of diagnosing mastitis does not cause any difficulties. The basis is the patient’s complaints, the results of palpation and laboratory tests.

The following tests are carried out:

• Urine and blood analysis (general).
• Study of breast milk for bacteriological composition. The indicators of both mammary glands are compared. 1 ml of liquid is enough.
• Study of the number of red blood cells in milk. They play the role of markers of inflammation.
• Acid-base balance and reductase are calculated.

In severe forms of mastitis (abscess, phlegmonous mastitis), the patient undergoes a breast examination using ultrasound. The infiltrate of the affected mammary gland is also examined (puncture).

If diagnosis is difficult (usually in chronic mastitis), mammography is prescribed. Chronic mastitis requires a biopsy to diagnose cancer.

Conservative treatment

Treatment of mastitis with medications is allowed in the initial stages. In this case, the patient should feel satisfactory: the temperature does not exceed 38°C, there is no purulent inflammation. Blood tests should show no changes.

If drug therapy does not show effectiveness, preparations for surgery begin.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics and antibacterial medications for mastitis are taken for 10-14 days. The infectious cause of mastitis is eliminated with drugs that contain amoxicillin. It suppresses Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus and other infections that cause purulent inflammation.

At the initial stages of inflammation of the mammary glands, treatment with penicillin antibiotics is allowed.

Analgesics

Analgesics are designed to reduce the level of inflammation and swelling, as well as relieve the pain of mastitis. Medicines can be supplemented with antispasmodics. Prescribed Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, No-shpu, etc. The type of medication depends largely on whether the woman is breastfeeding.

Antihistamines

Blockade of histamine receptors is important for large swelling of the mammary glands. This is especially true for people with low blood pressure, as well as patients predisposed to septic shock. If there is purulent discharge in the milk, lactation is suppressed with drugs.

Immunomodulators

One of the reasons for the penetration of infections is a decrease in immunity. Drugs such as Polyglobulin, Methyluracil, Antistaphylococcal gamma globulin and other immune modulators are prescribed taking into account tests and medical history.

Vitamin complexes

Vitamins have a beneficial effect on the entire body and also increase a person’s ability to resist pathogens. In addition to fruits and vegetables, useful elements are obtained from vitamin complexes such as Complivit, Undevit, etc.

Creams and ointments

Drugs with a local anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect for the mammary glands are prescribed in conjunction with the above-mentioned drugs against mastitis. The ointment heals damaged breast tissue and eliminates the feeling of discomfort in the affected breast. Traumgel, Heliomycin, Progestogel and others are prescribed.

Under no circumstances should you self-prescribe medications. This can cause allergic reactions and mastitis complications.

Surgical treatment

Starting with abscess mastitis, effective treatment is surgery. A small focus of purulent inflammation is treated by inserting a needle into the mammary glands and pumping out the pus. Antibiotics are then pumped into the devastated area to eliminate the inflammation.

A large abscess and multiple foci of inflammation imply mastitis. During the operation, the source of inflammation is opened, and the pus is removed along with the affected tissue. A drainage is installed into the resulting cavity to pump out pus. After 3-4 days, the drainage is removed and a suture is made (if mastitis does not recur).

After surgical measures to eliminate mastitis, the patient undergoes therapy with infusion solutions. This is followed by taking antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators.

Traditional treatment at home

Treatment at home is allowed only for serous mastitis or lactostasis. The doctor must agree to home therapy.

Compresses

It is allowed to use cold compresses on the chest:

• Pumpkin pulp boiled in milk.
• Honey cakes (flower honey and wheat flour).
• Tea mushroom.
• Grated carrots.

Cabbage wraps

Cabbage leaf is used for redness of the mammary glands. The cabbage is cooled and applied to the chest for an hour or two. The procedure must be repeated at least 6 times a day.

Water massage

Rubbing with alcohol

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies should not include exposure to high temperatures. Alcohol compress and rubbing have a warming effect. Bacteria multiply quickly in warm conditions. This will speed up the transition of mastitis to the abscess stage.

Ice

When mastitis begins, applying ice will slow the spread of infection and reduce discomfort. The ice pack should be wrapped in a towel to prevent frostbite. The duration of sessions is no more than 3 minutes.

Honey

Honey has a disinfectant and antibacterial effect. Promotes wound healing. You can apply cold honey compresses to your chest no more than 2 times a day.

Essential oils

Essential oils are added to chest compresses. Mint helps reduce fever, fir kills bacteria and reduces inflammatory processes. Camphor oil acts as a pain reliever. Essential oils are prohibited during breastfeeding (lactostasis).

Medicinal herbs

Decoctions are made from herbs and used in compresses against mastitis. Oral administration is allowed with the consent of the doctor.

• Sage - suppresses lactation function, weak antibiotic.
• Alder reduces inflammatory processes.
• Chamomile is a native antiseptic, the effect is noticeable in infectious mastitis.
• Sweet clover works as an antispasmodic.

Complications of mastitis

Any infection accompanied by inflammation, especially with the participation of Staphylococcus aureus, can cause complications in the form of septic syndromes:

• Pericarditis.
• Meningitis.
• Infectious-toxic shock condition.
• The appearance of several purulent inflammations - pneumonia, osteomyelitis, etc.
• DIC syndrome.

When taking medications in a timely manner, complications of mastitis are not observed.

Prevention of mastitis

Prevention of mastitis is a set of measures that minimize the risk of occurrence and development of purulent inflammation:

• Speedy elimination of milk stagnation in the mammary glands.
• Breast hygiene, especially during feeding.
• Timely healing of breast injuries.
• Normalization of hormone levels.
• Restoration of immune functions.
• Regular examination of the mammary glands by a mammologist.

Since the absence of damage to breast tissue helps to avoid mastitis, you should pay special attention to the choice of bra. It must be the right size, comfortable in shape and made from natural fabrics.

You shouldn’t start even minor breast inflammation and hope that it will go away on its own. If you suspect mastitis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Mastitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the mammary gland. It manifests itself as severe bursting pain in the chest, swelling, thickening, redness of the skin of the gland, a sharp rise in body temperature, and chills. Mastitis is diagnosed by visual examination by a mammologist, and an ultrasound scan of the mammary gland is also possible. The disease can lead to the formation of an abscess, abscess, phlegmon, necrosis in the mammary gland, the development of sepsis and even death. In case of microbial contamination of milk, breastfeeding will have to be stopped. In the long term, deformation of the mammary gland may occur, increasing the risk of developing mastopathy and breast cancer.

General information

Inflammation of breast tissue. Mastitis occurs as a result of infection of the mammary gland by bacteria. It manifests itself as swelling of the gland, an increase in size, pain and increased sensitivity, redness of the skin and increased temperature.

The incidence of mastitis among nursing mothers ranges from 1% to 16% depending on the region. On average, this figure is 5% of lactating women, and measures to reduce the incidence in recent years have so far been ineffective. The vast majority (85%) of women who develop mastitis are primiparous (or breastfeeding for the first time). This is due to a higher incidence of milk stagnation due to inept pumping. Women over thirty who are breastfeeding for the first time develop mastitis, usually as a result of reduced protective properties of the body due to one or another concomitant chronic disease. In such cases, the symptoms of mastitis are accompanied by clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.

Causes of mastitis

Mastitis is most often caused by a staphylococcal infection. But if there is a source of bacterial flora in a woman’s body (infections of the respiratory system, oral cavity, urinary tract, genital organs), mastitis can be caused by her. Sometimes the mammary gland becomes infected with E. coli. Bacteria enter the mammary gland through the bloodstream and through the milk ducts.

Most often, mastitis develops as a result of prolonged pathological lactostasis (stagnation of milk in the gland). If there is a long-term absence of milk outflow from any area of ​​the mammary gland, a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria is formed there, and a developing infection provokes an inflammatory reaction, fever, and suppuration.

Classification of mastitis

Mastitis is distinguished by the nature of the existing inflammatory process: serous, infiltrative, purulent, abscessing, gangrenous and phlegmonous mastitis. Serous, infiltrative and purulent mastitis are successive stages of the inflammatory process in the gland tissue from the formation of a swollen area of ​​serous inflammation to the formation of an infiltrate and the development of a purulent process.

With abscess mastitis, the purulent focus is localized and limited; phlegmonous mastitis is characterized by the spread of purulent inflammation throughout the gland tissue. With a prolonged course or weakened defenses of the body, the inflamed tissue of the gland becomes necrotic (gangrenous mastitis). There are clinical types of mastitis: the most common are acute postpartum mastitis, plasma cell mastitis and neonatal mastitis.

Symptoms of mastitis

Acute postpartum mastitis is most often an inflammatory complication of lactostasis in nursing mothers. Sometimes it develops without being preceded by pronounced signs of milk stagnation. It is manifested by the appearance of a painful lump in the mammary gland, redness and increased temperature of the skin in the area of ​​lump, fever and general symptoms of intoxication. As the pain progresses, the pain intensifies, the breasts enlarge and become hot to the touch. Feeding and pumping are extremely painful; blood and pus may be found in the milk. Suppurative mastitis often progresses with the development of a breast abscess.

Plasma cell mastitis is a rare disease that develops in older women who have given birth repeatedly after cessation of lactation. It is characterized by infiltration of plasma cells into the tissues under the nipple and hyperplasia of the epithelium of the excretory ducts. This type of mastitis does not fester and has some common external features with breast cancer.

Neonatal mastitis is a fairly common condition in children of both sexes, manifested by swelling of the mammary glands and discharge when pressing on them (usually the result of the residual effect of the mother’s sex hormones). With the development of acute purulent inflammation and the formation of an abscess, surgical sanitation of the purulent focus is performed, but most often the symptoms subside after three to four days.

Diagnosis of mastitis

The source of inflammation in the mammary gland is determined by palpation. There is also an increase (sometimes moderate pain on palpation) of the axillary lymph nodes on the side of the affected breast. Suppuration is characterized by determining the symptom of fluctuation.

If mastitis is detected at the stage of serous inflammation or infiltration, conservative treatment of mastitis is carried out. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed using potent broad-spectrum agents. Serous mastitis, as a rule, goes away in 2-3 days; it may take up to 7 days for the infiltrate to resolve. If inflammation is accompanied by severe general intoxication, detoxification measures are carried out (infusion of electrolyte solutions, glucose). In case of severe excess lactation, drugs are prescribed to suppress it.

Purulent forms of mastitis usually require surgical intervention. A developed breast abscess is an indication for emergency surgical sanitation: opening the mastitis and draining the purulent focus.

Progressive mastitis, regardless of its stage, is a contraindication to further feeding (including healthy breasts), since breast milk is usually infected and contains toxic tissue breakdown products. For a child, pathologically altered breast milk can cause the development of dysbiosis and disorders of the functional state of the digestive system. Since treatment for mastitis includes antibiotics, feeding during this period is also not safe for the baby. Antibiotics can significantly damage the normal development and growth of organs and tissues. During the treatment of mastitis, you can express milk, pasteurize it and only then give it to the child.

Indications for suppression of lactation: lack of dynamics in serous and infiltrative mastitis within three days of antibiotic therapy, development of a purulent form, concentration of an inflammatory focus directly under the nipple, a history of purulent mastitis in the mother, concomitant pathologies of organs and systems that significantly worsen the general well-being of the mother.

Prevention of mastitis

Measures to prevent mastitis coincide with measures to prevent lactostasis, since this condition is a precursor to mastitis in the vast majority of cases.

To prevent milk stagnation, complete and thorough emptying of the mammary glands is necessary: ​​regular feeding and subsequent expression of the remaining milk. If the baby is full of milk from one breast, at the next feeding it is first applied to the gland that was untouched the last time.

You should not allow your baby to simply suck on the breast for comfort, without sucking out the milk. Cracks in the nipples contribute to the development of inflammation of the mammary gland, so it is necessary to prepare the nipples for feeding, carefully observe hygiene rules (clean hands, breasts), and correctly attach the baby to the breast (the child must grasp the entire nipple, including the areola, with his mouth).

One of the preventive measures for the development of mastitis can be called the timely identification and sanitation of foci of infection in the body, however, it is worth remembering that general antibacterial therapy during lactation is contraindicated.