Microorganisms that cross the immune system cause infections in the human body. Many microorganisms, such as bacteria, can pass into the body through cracks and cause breast infection, which is a type of infection. Although breast infection is a known disease that is generally seen in breastfeeding mothers, it occurs especially in cases where breast hygiene is not taken care of. Breast infections may occur due to reasons such as breastfeeding, wearing tight clothes, and symptoms such as pain and redness in the breast. You can read the rest of our article to learn more about breast infection.
What is Breast Infection?
Infection can develop in various organs. One of these is breast infection. Breast infection, also known as mastitis, is an infection that occurs in the breast tissue. This infection, which is usually caused by bacteria of the Staphylococcus type, affects the fatty tissues in the breast, causing swelling, pain and redness. Breast infection is not a common disease other than breastfeeding, injury or cancer. Sometimes breast infection is accompanied by an abscess in the breast. The formed breast abscess creates a red and smooth swelling and gives a feeling of mass. The most distinguishing feature of the mass from cancer is its regular environment.
Breast infection symptoms may rarely be caused by breast cancer. In this type of cancer, as a result of the proliferation of abnormal cells in the breast ducts, the lymphatic vessels are blocked, creating a painful, swollen, red skin. The difference of inflammatory breast cancer from other breast cancers is that it causes infection symptoms in the breast.
- Periductal Mastitis: It can occur not only in breastfeeding women, but also around the milk ducts during and after menopause. This breast infection is called periductal mastitis. In periductal mastitis, the nipples may turn inward and the milk ducts become thick. Retraction of the nipple due to infection and discharge due to mastitis are observed.
- Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: It refers to the masses that develop in the breast with the infection, but these masses are not cancerous although they are painful. The exact cause is unknown.
- Lactational Mastitis
Breast Infection Causes?
Breast infection, or mastitis, is most common in mothers who are breastfeeding. Because most of the time, bacteria that pass from the baby to the mother's breast during breastfeeding enter the milk duct and cause infection. At the same time, the accumulation of milk that cannot be excreted in the milk ducts is a reason for the formation of infection. Situations such as prolonged breastfeeding intervals and insufficient suckling of the baby increase the risk of infection by limiting milk ejection. However, breast infection can occur not only in mothers, but also in women who have never given birth or during menopause. Especially people with diabetes, chronic diseases, AIDS, impaired immune system are prone to breast infection. A weakened immune system is a major risk for breast infection. The body becomes open to bacteria coming from the outside, making it easier to spread. Some risk factors for developing a breast infection are:
- Previous breast infection
- Cracked nipples
- Using a tight and airtight bra
- Having an unhealthy and unbalanced diet
- Smoking
- Having an autoimmune disease
- A stressful life course
- Weaning the baby early
- Breastfeeding in the same position
- Use of nipple piercing
- Preventing milk accumulation in the breast and breastfeeding frequently
- Emptying the milk with a pump if the baby is not sucking
- Making sure that the baby's mouth fits the breast properly during breastfeeding
- Wearing loose clothing
- Taking care of breast hygiene
- Keeping immunity strong
- Quitting smoking if used
- Nipple paying attention to stretch marks
- Choosing breathable bras
Symptoms of Breast Infection
Symptoms of breast infection occur as a result of inflammation caused by infection. income. As with any infection, heat, redness and discharge may be seen in the infective area. your doctor to diagnose if breast milk ΓΌ may request that a culture be taken from the milk, if any, and that antibiotic treatment be started as a result of the result of this culture. Apart from this, it can be observed whether there is a mass in the breast with ultrasound. When the redness of people who do not have milk worsens, the causative agent of the infection is investigated through blood culture and an appropriate treatment is followed. Symptoms are also sometimes sufficient for diagnosis. These symptoms of breast infection are as follows:
- Breast tenderness
- Swelling in the breast
- Pain in one or both breasts
- Redness in the breast
- Yellowish nipple discharge
- Fever
- Chilly
- Abscess in the breast
- A breast enlargement
- Itching
Breast Infection Treatment
As with any infection, a period of antibiotic therapy is applied in breast infection. The important point is the type of microorganism causing the infection. Accordingly, an appropriate antibiotic is selected and treatment is started. Antibiotics should be used for the prescribed period of time to completely clear the infection and prevent it from recurring. If there is a severe infection and associated abscess, it may be necessary to surgically excise the abscess and drain the pus for the treatment of mastitis. In addition to the antibiotic treatment applied for the infection, the person can apply supportive treatments at home. However, he should inform his doctor about these applications and should be preferred if deemed appropriate by the doctor. Applying a warm compress to the sore breast to reduce the pain caused by the infection helps to reduce the pain. At the same time, as the pain is relieved, milk flow becomes easier and the infection does not recur due to milk accumulation in the ducts. Another method is to empty the breast milk thoroughly. If the baby is not sucking enough, the excess milk should be taken with a pump. Creams approved by the physician can be used to remove cracks caused by breastfeeding. Apart from these, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and wearing comfortable clothes also help the treatment period.
If the cause of the infection symptoms is inflammatory breast cancer, the treatment continues as a cancer treatment. Regardless of age and gender, when symptoms such as cracked nipples, breast pain, and redness are seen, apply to a health institution as soon as possible. should be installed. The tests recommended by the doctor should be performed and appropriate treatment methods should be used. Advice can be obtained from the doctor to prevent the infection from developing again after treatment. We wish you healthy days.
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