The causes of acute mastitis

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 07, 2024
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The main causes of mastitis are as follows: First, the accumulation of milk is due to improper breastfeeding techniques or incidental contact with the mammary glands by the child, which causes the milk ducts to close and ultimately leads to the accumulation of milk. Milk is an ideal culture medium that facilitates bacterial growth, leading to mastitis. Second, bacterial invasion occurs when there are cracks or abrasions on the nipple, allowing bacteria to travel along the milk ducts to reach and infect the mammary lobules. Lastly, a decrease in the patient's own immune system can also lead to bacterial infection.

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Written by Lin Yang
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Acute mastitis is caused by what?

Mastitis is generally considered to be caused by the accumulation of milk, which occurs during breastfeeding when the posture or unintentional actions by the child cause damage to the milk ducts, leading to an accumulation of milk within them. Since milk serves as an excellent culture medium, this can lead to bacterial infection. The second point is that if there are cracks or fissures on the nipple, bacteria can infect in reverse, leading to significant infections by Staphylococcus aureus, which can also cause mastitis. The third point concerns a weakened immune system, for example due to mental stress or lack of sleep. These are the main causes of acute mastitis.

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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.

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Can acute mastitis be treated with hot compresses?

Acute mastitis can be treated with hot compresses, which can reduce local pain, dilate the milk ducts, and facilitate the expulsion of milk. To completely cure mastitis, it is essential to visit a hospital for examination. Under a doctor's guidance, taking antibacterial drugs for anti-infection treatment is recommended. For women who are breastfeeding, the priority in treating mastitis is to empty the breast milk first; thereafter, taking antibacterial drugs for anti-infection treatment is advisable. For severe cases of mastitis, it may be necessary to perform puncture aspiration or incision and drainage to achieve optimal treatment results. Patients with mastitis should pay attention to their diet and eat lightly in daily life, avoiding particularly greasy foods. It is advisable to eat light meals, vegetables, and fruits.

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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.)

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Treatment methods for acute mastitis

The treatment methods for acute mastitis start with stopping breastfeeding. For those with mild symptoms or less severe conditions, breastfeeding can continue, but it is not advisable to breastfeed from the affected breast. Instead, a breast pump can be used to express the milk. Secondly, the breast can be supported with a bra. Thirdly, for local redness and swelling, hot compresses can be applied, or ichthyol ointment can be used topically, as well as Levonorgestrel topical application. If blood tests show elevated levels, systemic antibiotics should be used, with the choice of penicillins and cephalosporins for symptomatic treatment. If an ultrasound shows an abscess formation, it is recommended to perform an abscess incision and drainage procedure, or, if it's deeper, a thick needle can be used for aspiration to draw out the abscess.