Early treatment of acute mastitis

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 26, 2024
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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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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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How to reduce fever in acute mastitis

For fever in acute mastitis, it is first recommended to obtain a complete blood test to check if white blood cells and neutrophils are elevated. Of course, there are basic conservative methods and medication treatments for fever reduction. The conservative approach includes drinking plenty of water, preferably warm. Secondly, local application of magnesium sulfate can be used, with concentrations ranging from 33%-50%. During hot weather, it can be applied directly as a wet compress on the inflamed breast. It is important to thoroughly clean the breast, especially the nipple, before breastfeeding to prevent the baby from ingesting magnesium sulfate, which can cause diarrhea in infants. Thirdly, if the blood test shows an increase in white blood cells and neutrophils, intravenous antibiotics are used, commonly referred to by people as anti-inflammatory injections. Using antibacterial medications at this time can rapidly reduce fever. The fourth method is to temporarily use fever-reducing medications, which, along with magnesium sulfate, are available at pharmacies. However, for antibiotics, it is best to go to a hospital.

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Written by Cui Yu Rong
Breast Surgery
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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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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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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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Does acute mastitis have lumps?

Mastitis involves inflammation, and severe cases can lead to inflammatory lumps. Generally, we use breast ultrasonography for diagnosis and differentiation. If the ultrasonography report indicates a cystic formation, it is typically considered to be caused by the accumulation of milk. At this point, ceasing breastfeeding and seeking massage from a professional or a loved one to clear the accumulated milk can be curative. If the ultrasonography report shows an inflammatory hard lump or a solid mass, we recommend stopping breastfeeding and starting anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. If the lump shows signs of shrinking, continue the anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. However, if there is no change in the inflammatory lump, surgical treatment is recommended to remove the inflamed mass.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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The causes of acute mastitis include

The causes of mastitis are firstly bacterial invasion and secondly the accumulation of milk. The accumulation of milk mainly occurs during breastfeeding, due to the position of holding the child or unintentional bumps by the child, which cause damage to the milk ducts, constriction of the ducts, leading to a large amount of milk being trapped inside the ducts. Since milk is an excellent culture medium, it results in bacterial growth. Bacterial invasion usually occurs through cracked or fissured nipples, allowing bacteria to enter the milk ducts and into the breast tissue, causing mastitis. Another situation is a decrease in the body's immune system, for example, due to poor sleep or emotional stress. These are the main causes of acute mastitis.