The Mastitis is an inflammation in the mammary tissues that usually involves an infection as a result of both produce pain, heat, redness and swelling of the breasts, and the like fever with chills. This disease is said to be acute when it affects women who are breastfeeding, but it cannot be ruled out that it also affects women who are not breastfeeding. Importantly, mastitis can also appear in men. When mastitis appears during breastfeeding, it can cause the mother to make the decision to wean her baby before the estimated time.
When mastitis is acute, the pain that it produces makes it difficult to breastfeed the baby and becomes one of the main causes why a mother stops breastfeeding her child in the first months of life. Studies carried out show that 10% of women suffer from acute mastitis during lactation.
The breasts are made up of glands that communicate with the nipple and the colored area called the areola through ducts. When a woman has her baby these ducts carry the milk that expands from the nipple to the breast tissue that is under the areola and is filled with milk.
An infection by bacteria can cause mastitis in both women and men, these bacteria are known as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
In the case of man, the route of infection is the same. The benign bacteria found on the skin enter the breast tissue through the cracks in the skin of the nipples, these bacteria multiply in the breast tissue causing infection and inflammation of these tissues.
Why mastitis occurs
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One of the main causes of mastitis is the accumulation of milk trapped in the breast for different reasons:
- A poor position of the child when breastfeeding can cause the breast not to empty completely.
- If the breast is not completely emptied when breastfeeding, the milk ducts can become clogged, this causes the milk to accumulate and cause an infection.
- Small fissures or wounds in the nipple, in many cases they are difficult to avoid, they become entrances for bacteria and in this way they invade the breast tissue.
- Women who do not breastfeed are also prone to these types of infections.
Types of mastitis
- Puerperal mastitis: This infection is caused by the accumulation of breast milk in the breast ducts. They appear in women a few days after delivery and during lactation. The mother presents an inflammation of her mammary glands, reddened color of the breasts, an unusual heat in this area and fever. In the case of mild puerperal mastitis, the woman can continue to breastfeed her baby, but if the inflammation and pain are so strong it is recommended to do without it at least with the affected breast.
- Non-puerperal mastitis: it is rare, it is an infection in the mammary glands that occurs in women who are not breastfeeding in men and children. This type of infection can be caused by a fungus, virus, or bacteria that can cause pain. Tobacco smoking has become a risk factor for this disease, it is said that 90% of women who suffer from non-puerperal mastitis are smokers.
This disease can affect young people who pierce their nipples, this can cause inflammation and pain in the breast.
Mastitis is diagnosed through physical examinations performed by specialist doctors, based on the symptoms that the patient presents, such as fever, chills and breast pain. When mastitis is not treated properly it can lead to an abscess. A resource for the doctor is the culture of breast milk, which will determine the type of antibiotic that should be applied.
Treatments for mastitis
- Analgesics: in these cases, mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol are recommended.
- Antibiotics: for this type of disease, generally, a cycle of antibiotics, tolerated by the child and by the mother, of 10 or 14 days is recommended. The patient will be able to notice the improvement between 24 to 48 hours after starting to take the medicine. It is important to comply with the treatment for the indicated time to prevent the infection from reappearing.
- Improve breastfeeding technique: it must be ensured that the baby completely empties the breasts and latches on correctly so that breastfeeding is correct. In case of not being clear about how to carry out this process, the doctor may recommend specialists to provide their support.
- Continue breastfeeding: you should start breastfeeding with the healthy side, making sure that the diseased side is completely emptied either by the baby's suckling or by helping with a breast pump.
How to prevent mastitis
To prevent mastitis, the most recommended is the complete emptying of the breasts, in addition to:
- Breastfeed the baby more frequently and without pre-established schedules.
- In each feeding make sure that the mother is totally empty to start with the other.
Home remedies to treat mastitis
- Hot and cold water compresses: one way to improve milk circulation and flow, as well as reduce obstruction, is with the application of hot and cold water compresses. Hot water bottles wrapped in thin cloths should be placed in the breast for 15 minutes. Then ice cubes, also wrapped in a towel, are placed for 5 minutes. This treatment is repeated at least 3 times a day.
- Cabbage leaves: also called cabbage, it has anti-inflammatory properties, placing them on the chest produces a calming effect on the inflamed and reddened area. Cabbage leaves should be placed in the refrigerator and left there for half an hour, then the patient should lie down in a comfortable place and place the leaves on the affected breast, when the leaf reaches room temperature again, remove and place another cold leaf. This process should be repeated at least twice a day.
- Massages: When suffering from mastitis it is advisable to massage the affected area with a little oil, this helps to unblock the breast ducts, in this way the pain can be cured and the swelling down. It should be massaged in a circular motion with a little pressure, from the outside of the breasts to the affected part. Then you should wash the breast with plenty of water and remove the applied oil, as it can be harmful to the baby.
- Apple cider vinegar: these compresses calm inflammation and symptoms of infection, this product, in addition to having antibacterial properties, prevents the infection from spreading. ½ cup of warm water is placed in a container and ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar is added, a thin towel is moistened and it is placed on the affected breast for 10 minutes at least 2 times a day.
