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Acute mastitis
What should I do about acute mastitis during lactation?
Firstly, let's assess the condition of acute mastitis by conducting a routine blood test and color ultrasound for further examination and diagnosis. If the white blood cell count exceeds 10,000, breastfeeding should be discontinued, and local anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment should be applied. If the white blood cell count is below 10,000 but there is localized redness and swelling, external application of rifanuo and oral anti-inflammatory medications can be used. Breast massage by a professional or a family member can help clear the milk ducts. If there is a severe lump, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding and focus on anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. Observe whether the inflammatory lump can shrink; if it does, continue with local anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. If the severe lump continues to grow, it's advised to stop breastfeeding and proceed with local surgical treatment.
Does acute mastitis require daily milk expression?
If acute mastitis is severe, breastfeeding is not advisable, and it is necessary to express milk daily. Prevention of acute mastitis is more important than treatment, especially during breastfeeding periods where it is crucial to keep the nipples clean. Frequently wash them with warm soapy water and clean the nipples before and after breastfeeding with 3% boric acid solution. For those with inverted nipples, gently extract the nipple before cleaning; however, do not use ethanol wipes as ethanol can make the nipple and areola skin brittle, which can lead to cracking. Develop good breastfeeding habits, nurse regularly, and ensure that the milk is thoroughly drawn out each time. If unable to completely draw out the milk, use hand massage to express it or a breast pump. Additionally, do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in their mouth. If there is nipple damage or cracking, stop breastfeeding and use a breast pump to express the milk until the wound heals, and then resume breastfeeding.
Does acute mastitis require weaning?
In most cases of acute mastitis, it is not necessary to wean. However, weaning is mandatory when acute mastitis is accompanied by high fever, abscess, or nipple ulceration. Other than these conditions, it is often sufficient to temporarily stop breastfeeding from the inflamed breast for a few days. After treatment, breastfeeding can usually continue. During this temporary cessation, the milk from the affected breast should be expressed and discarded. Breastfeeding can continue with the other breast. Therefore, weaning is not easily recommended for acute mastitis.
What should I do if I have acute mastitis?
If acute mastitis occurs, the first step is to promptly relieve the blockage of the milk ducts, ensuring smooth drainage of breast milk. This can be achieved through warm compresses, massage, and the use of a breast pump for most cases of acute mastitis. With early intervention, significant relief can usually be achieved. However, if the condition has been prolonged and is severe, it is advisable to visit a formal hospital. Prompt medical attention and diagnostic tests, such as a complete blood count and localized ultrasound, are needed to further understand the condition and administer appropriate antibiotic treatment. If an abscess forms in the breast, it should be surgically drained as soon as possible. Maintaining good hygiene, paying attention to a gentle diet, and adopting good living habits, such as going to bed early and waking up early, are also important.
What should be noted for acute mastitis?
For acute mastitis, it is important to keep the nipples clean. The nipples should often be washed with soapy warm water, and rinsed with clean water before and after breastfeeding. Patients with inverted nipples should gently extrude the nipple before cleaning it, but should not use alcohol to clean the area, as alcohol can make the skin of the nipple and areola brittle and prone to cracking. It is important to develop good breastfeeding habits, breastfeeding on a regular schedule, and ensuring that all the milk is drawn out each time. If the milk cannot be fully expressed, it should be manually massaged out or extracted using a breast pump. Additionally, do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in their mouth. If there are any nipple injuries or cracks, stop breastfeeding, use a breast pump to extract the milk, and resume breastfeeding only after the wounds have healed.
Early treatment of acute mastitis
In the early stages of mastitis where there is pain but no redness and swelling, applying heat and then having a lactation masseur clear any residual milk can be effective. However, if symptoms like high fever and chills occur, along with localized redness and swelling, it is advised to go to the hospital to have a complete blood count and an ultrasound. If the leukocyte count is under 10,000 and there is localized swelling, topical application of Rifanuo and oral anti-inflammatory medication can be curative, but it is necessary to stop breastfeeding. If the leukocyte count exceeds 10,000, intravenous antibiotics may be required, alongside cessation of breastfeeding. Then, using a breast pump to extract the milk can help in healing. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
How should acute mastitis be treated?
Firstly, it is essential to prevent the accumulation of milk and avoid damage to the nipples while keeping them clean. After each breastfeeding, wash the nipples with soap. If the nipples are inverted, frequently squeeze and pull them to correct this. It is important to establish a regular breastfeeding schedule to prevent the baby from sleeping without releasing the nipple. Each breastfeeding session should drain the milk completely; if there is any accumulation, massage or use a breast pump to extract all the milk. After breastfeeding, clean the nipples. If there is any damage or cracking on the nipples, timely treatment is necessary. For the care of the baby's oral cavity, local heat application and massage can be provided.
Acute mastitis occurs how long after childbirth?
Acute mastitis can occur a few weeks after childbirth, usually within the first two to three weeks, although it can also appear later during the breastfeeding period. The key issue is to maintain the flow of breast milk and the patency of the milk ducts during breastfeeding. It is recommended to wash both nipples before breastfeeding, let the baby completely empty one breast first, then move on to the second breast. If the baby is full and doesn't finish the milk from the other breast, it's best to empty that breast either by using a breast pump or having the father extract the milk. For the next feeding, start with the other breast, which was the second breast previously used, and alternate accordingly. Additionally, nipple care is important; after the baby has finished feeding, express a little milk and apply it on the nipple surface. Before the next feeding, wash the nipple with clean water more diligently. This can help reduce the occurrence of acute mastitis.
Acute Mastitis Etiology
Acute mastitis generally refers to lactational mastitis, which can occur at any time during lactation, but is more common in the beginning stages of lactation in primiparous women. The most common causes of acute mastitis are milk stasis and bacterial invasion. Therefore, the prevention of acute mastitis mainly targets these two aspects. Besides enhancing the immune system of the mother, it is crucial to maintain good breastfeeding habits. This includes cleaning the nipples and the baby's mouth before and after feeding, keeping the nipple area clean, minimizing damage to the nipple area, and controlling bacterial invasion.
What fruits to eat for acute mastitis?
For mastitis, it is primarily important to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, seafood, and lactation-promoting foods. Foods high in fat and sugar, spicy fried foods, and stimulant drinks like liquor and coffee should be avoided. If blood sugar levels are high, certain fruits high in sugar content should also be avoided. For those without diabetes, the issue is simpler; for example, consuming more tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes, is advisable. The principle is to eat light and nutritious foods. Therefore, tomatoes, green vegetables, loofah, cucumbers, crown daisy, lotus root, and mung bean soup are good options. This also includes oranges, strawberries, apples, grapes, and kiwifruits which are suitable choices.