It is very important to distinguish between acute breast abscesses and chronic abscesses. Because their treatments are very different.
ACUTE BREAST ABSCESS
Acute breast abscess may manifest itself with redness on the breast skin, pain, tenderness, swelling, local temperature increase in the breast, and even systemic fever. We can examine these abscesses in two groups: abscesses associated with breastfeeding and those seen without breastfeeding. It is most common between the ages of 20 and 50. Abscesses associated with breastfeeding are usually caused by cracks in the nipple that form after the baby suckles. In the baby's first weeks, the baby cannot suck hard enough. Milk stasis, which occurs as a result of inadequate emptying of milk, creates a tendency to infection. For this reason, breast abscesses are more common in the first 12 weeks.
Precaution:
After each breastfeeding, the nipple should be cleaned with clean cotton and warm water. To prevent cracks in the nipples, nipple creams that are not harmful to the baby can be used. The nipple should be cleaned again with warm water before breastfeeding and milk should be given to the baby. If the cracks deepen, breastfeeding can be continued using the nipple device until they heal. If there is swelling and tenderness in any area of the breast, milk stasis should be suspected. In this case, stasis should be tried to be relieved by breast massage accompanied by warm towels or a warm bath. If softening does not occur, a physician should be consulted.
Treatment:
Despite these precautions, abscess formation may be observed in one area of the breast, usually in the upper outer quadrants. In this case, the abscess must be drained. Generally, syringe-assisted abscess drainage is sufficient. Following this, medications and antipyretics suitable for the breastfeeding period should be used. In rare delayed cases, open drainage may be required. Oral medications may be preferred during these periods.
During treatment, the breast should be emptied with a pump to prevent milk stasis. Breastfeeding from the other breast should continue, but breastfeeding from the abscessed breast is controversial. For the safety of the baby, it should be waited until the abscess is healed and milk discharged with a pump should not be used in this process.
GALACTOCELE
It is a milk cyst that occurs after breastfeeding is terminated. It is not clinically important. Some mothers continue to release milk after the breastfeeding period is terminated. In this case, milk should be prevented from remaining in the breast and should be emptied with a pump. Rarely, a galactocele may become infected and result in a breast abscess. As with other abscesses, it is treated with drainage and systemic medication.
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