How to treat postpartum mastitis?

I am 32 years old and have mastitis. Doctor, can you tell me how to treat this disease? Does it affect breastfeeding? (Ha An, Bac Lieu)

Reply:

If mastitis is not treated properly or is caused by a blocked milk duct, it can cause a collection of pus (abscess) to develop in the breast. Abscesses often require surgical drainage.

Postpartum mastitis often has sudden symptoms such as: thickening of breast tissue or a lump in the breast; breast swelling; the breast feels warm or hot to the touch; a red patch of skin, often wedge-shaped. Some mothers feel pain or burning constantly or when breastfeeding; fever from 38.5 degrees Celsius.

Your doctor will do a complete physical exam and ask about your signs and symptoms. A culture of your breast milk can help your doctor determine the best antibiotic, especially if you have a severe infection.

If you have an infection, you may need a long course of antibiotics. It is important to take the full course of medication to reduce the chance of a relapse. If your mastitis does not clear up after taking antibiotics, you should see your doctor again. Your doctor may prescribe appropriate pain medication.

You can continue to breastfeed if you have mastitis because it can help clear the infection. Weaning your baby abruptly is likely to worsen your signs and symptoms. Your obstetrician can help and support you.

You can adjust your breastfeeding technique by: avoiding letting your breasts fill with milk for long periods of time before breastfeeding. Trying to ensure that your baby latches on properly can be difficult when your breasts are engorged. Expressing a small amount of milk by hand before breastfeeding can help. Massaging your breasts while breastfeeding or expressing, starting from the affected area and working your way up to the nipple.

How to treat postpartum mastitis? — Breastfeeding properly helps prevent mastitis. Photo: *Freepik*

You should note that there is no excess milk left in the breast after breastfeeding. If you have difficulty expressing part of the breast, apply a warm compress to the breast before breastfeeding or expressing. You should breastfeed on the breast with the blocked duct first because when the baby is hungry, he will suck harder to draw out the breast milk, thereby clearing the blocked ducts. You can change the breastfeeding position.

Doctors advise that when treating at home, patients should be careful not to let their breasts fill with milk for too long before breastfeeding; should apply cold compresses or ice packs to the breasts after breastfeeding; wear a supportive bra; rest as much as possible. To get the best start to breastfeeding for your baby and avoid complications such as mastitis, you can visit and consult with an obstetrician on how to breastfeed.

The symptoms of postpartum mastitis are similar to those of inflammatory breast cancer. This is a rare, dangerous cancer that causes a rash on the breast, red, swollen breasts. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as breast pain, nipple discharge, or worsening after 24 hours of taking antibiotics or a few days of self-treatment at home, you should see a doctor.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Do Thuy Giang
Department of Breast Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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