What is mastitis? Know its symptoms, causes and treatment
Not sure if you have mastitis? Well, we'll tell you that despite being very common (the Mastitis symptoms affect more than 30% (of mothers during breastfeeding) the information available about it is quite confusing.
We've heard this story countless times: just when you thought you had breastfeeding under control, breast pain appears, one area becomes red and hot, and you start feeling unwell, like you're coming down with the flu. And then you wonder, is it mastitis?
In this post We answer questions about what mastitis is, its symptoms, and its causes., in addition to seeing what we can do to prevent and treat it.
First of all, our most important advice: stay calm! Because not all cases of mastitis become complicated, you won't have to stop breastfeeding, and in most cases antibiotics are not required.
In this article you will find:
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What is mastitis?
Mastitis is a inflammation of breast tissue, Mastitis can occur with or without an infection. Many factors can trigger mastitis, but most of the time it's impossible to pinpoint the exact cause. Most cases occur in the first three months of pregnancy, especially during pregnancy. between weeks 6 and 12 postpartum, and they only affect one of the two breasts.
Recognizing the first signs of mastitis and addressing them as soon as possible is key to minimizing its impact on breastfeeding.
Our most important advice: tranquillity! Because not all cases of mastitis become complicated, you won't have to stop breastfeeding, and in most cases antibiotics are not required.
The most common misconceptions surrounding mastitis
Here we clear up some of the most common misconceptions:
“If you have mastitis accompanied by fever, you have an infection.”
This is not the case, because fever occurs in both inflammatory and infectious mastitis.
In fact, Mastitis does not necessarily have to be accompanied by an infection, but it may or may not develop.
Many doctors still consider mastitis and infection to be synonymous, even recommending that the mother stop breastfeeding the baby or over-diagnosing antibiotics, which further aggravates the symptoms.
"You have to extract as much milk as possible to eliminate mastitis"
You may find that you are advised to express milk more frequently than usual to make the mastitis disappear.
However, overstimulating production can further aggravate the situation and inflame the already affected area.
Actually, what you should do is Continue breastfeeding the baby at the usual times. and express your milk as you normally do.
“We have to stop breastfeeding”
The taste of the milk may change during a mastitis episode, and the baby may prefer to feed from the unaffected breast. But there is no reason to stop breastfeeding.
Do I have mastitis? Symptoms to watch out for
The symptoms of mastitis vary from person to person, but they can appear so suddenly that you have no idea what's happening to you.
It's common to think you've caught a virus and just become ill, because The symptoms are similar to those of the flu.
You may also be confused if you are at the beginning of breastfeeding, because the breast is usually more sensitive or it may coincide with engorgement during the milk coming in.
In short, you may feel sick, have a fever, and be breastfeeding your baby with some pain or inflammation in your breasts, but not think that it is an episode of mastitis.
So… how do you identify mastitis?
These are the symptoms of mastitis that you should know:
- Flu-like aches and pains, including tiredness, malaise, and muscle pain.
- Fever exceeding 38 degrees accompanied by chills.
- Pain, swelling and tenderness in the chest, with a feeling of heat to the touch and redness in the affected area.
- Sensation of a lump or thickening in the breast.
- Shiny skin and a burning sensation when the baby is breastfeeding.
- Pain when moving or lifting the arm or when lying on the affected side.
- Headache.
If, despite taking the necessary measures, the symptoms do not improve within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms, it is essential consult your doctor or healthcare professional. to avoid complications.
Types of mastitis
We can distinguish the types of mastitis based on their cause, origin, and the course of the disease:
↪Acute Mastitis
In acute mastitis we find infection, usually caused by a bacterium called “Staphylococcus aureus "And it's more common in first-time mothers."
It usually appears in the first 12 weeks postpartum and can originate from Unresolved breast obstruction, improper latch or ineffective emptying, or nipple injury such as cracks.
What symptoms can help you identify acute mastitis?
- High fever.
- A sensation similar to that of the flu.
- Detection of reddened areas on the chest.
- Inflammation and higher temperature.
- It usually occurs in only one breast, not both.
↪Subacute Mastitis
It is usually the most common, but also the most difficult to diagnose.
It is characterized by the appearance of inflammation in the chest with pain and a burning sensation, but The local symptoms are milder. and there is no redness, no fever, and no general feeling of malaise.
This type of mastitis usually causes discomfort at the beginning and during feedings, or pain and burning in the nipple.
The good news is that in most cases it resolves within 24-48 hours if you take the necessary steps.
↪Granulomatous Mastitis
Is a rare disease of the breast, of an inflammatory type, which affects women of childbearing age and can appear after childbirth.
The most frequent symptom is the appearance of a lump in the breast, which is usually associated with autoimmune causes.
What factors can trigger mastitis?
Knowing the factors that can trigger mastitis can be helpful in diagnosing it and speeding up the start of treatment.
Risk factors include:
- Breast obstruction, That is, the retention of milk in one of the mammary ducts.
- Damage or cracks in the nipple which can cause bacteria from your skin or the baby's mouth to enter, causing mastitis.
- Poor positioning of the baby while breastfeeding and problems with latching onto the breast that affect breast drainage (for example, if you have a tongue or lip frenulum).
- Illness of the mother or baby, Who might have more difficulty emptying the breast if they are not breathing well due to a cold, for example?
- He wearing excessively tight clothing, such as tight bras that compress and press on the breasts, hindering the flow of milk.
- Abruptly ending breastfeeding instead of doing it gradually.
- Stay in a single position or in a bad posture while breastfeeding your baby, which causes the breast not to empty completely.
- Have history of previous mastitis, which may increase the risk of experiencing them repeatedly.
- He stress, fatigue and tiredness from the mother.
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How to relieve the symptoms of mastitis?
When mastitis is treated from the beginning and with the correct measures, you will have no problem recovering.
The first recommendation is Visit a leading professional who is an expert in breastfeeding to verify the diagnosis.
And to alleviate the symptoms, there are several solutions you can try at home to reduce inflammation and pain.
Take note!
Continue breastfeeding your baby
It is essential to empty the affected breast normally, that's why you should continue breastfeeding your baby in the usual way.
Our recommendations:
- Make sure the baby is in the proper position for breastfeeding.
- Starts each feeding with the breast opposite the affected one.
- Avoid overfeeding if the baby isn't feeding well or if it's too painful, in which case you can extract the milk using an extractor or collector.
- Check that the grip is correct to avoid damaging the nipple and prevent opening an entry point for bacteria.
- Don't skip takes and avoid letting too much time pass between one and the other, always trying to maintain the same routine.
Although breast milk is good and safe when you have mastitis, it can have a saltier taste that might cause your baby to reject you.
Don't worry about it, it's a normal reaction and it lasts a very short time.
Once you overcome mastitis Your milk is back to its usual sweetness..
It treats inflammation and relieves pain.
These are our recommendations for relieving the symptoms of mastitis by treating inflammation and pain:
- Gentle lymphatic drainage
In cases of mastitis, massaging the breast is not recommended as it could increase inflammation and worsen symptoms.
On the other hand, it is recommended apply lymphatic drainage techniques (draggling gently, starting from the areola and moving towards the lymphatic vessels of the armpits and neck).
Drainage can be done manually or with the help of our breastfeeding massager:
HELLO it's a breastfeeding massager which, in addition to promoting lymphatic drainage, helps improve milk flow by facilitating complete emptying of the breast, Relieving pain caused by breast engorgement or blocked ducts.
It's made of silicone, adapts to your body temperature, and you decide how to adjust its vibration modes according to your needs, making it a The perfect ally to prevent mastitis
- Apply local heat and cold
Is local cold or heat better?
The answer is a big "it depends": try it out to see what works best for you and whether you notice more relief by applying local cold or heat.
He Applying cold locally helps relieve pain and inflammation, and you can apply it using ice on a damp cloth.
He Applying local heat before feeding helps the milk flow, But it is very important not to apply heat to the nipple because it could cause bacterial growth and lead to infection.
A hot shower is the best option if the heat helps relieve the pain.
Remember that you should not apply cold or heat directly to the skin to avoid burns.
You can also choose to use specific products for relieve the symptoms of mastitis using local cold:
These clay pads offer a long-lasting and gradual temperature, before and after shots.
Find out if probiotics or ultrasound therapy can help in your case.
Several studies show the positive impact of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of mastitis symptoms.
There are also studies that analyze the benefits of therapeutic ultrasound therapies as a complement to conservative treatment of this condition.
We recommend Consult with your professional reference. if any of these options might help you.
Rest to recover and let yourself be taken care of.
Tiredness, stress, fatigue, and anxiety are your enemies and are closely linked to mastitis and its symptoms.
Don't underestimate the power of rest And follow these tips:
- Drink as much water as you can and maintain a healthy diet.
- Stay in bed without remorse when your body asks for rest, go to bed early and put your feet up whenever you can.
- Reduce or eliminate your housework and don't want to be a superwoman: You're just sick and you need to do what's necessary to recover.
- Ask for help from family and friends.
When should I consult a medical professional if I have symptoms of mastitis?
Generally speaking, mastitis that is detected quickly and treated properly will not cause problems and is not likely to recur over time.
If in doubt, we recommend consulting with a [unclear/unclear] first. certified lactation consultant, who can help you with the diagnosis and recommend the first steps to take.
So… when should you see a doctor?
- If the symptoms of mastitis have not improved with conservative treatment and breast emptying in a within 24-48 hours or if you feel very unwell before that time.
- If swelling and pain appear in the breast, fever above 38 degrees, chills, nausea, vomiting or headaches.
- If you have cracks or fissures in the nipple that has become infected.
In any of these cases we recommend see your gynecologist, who will assess the antibiotic treatment you need to fight the infection and pain relief.
They may ask you for a milk culture to determine which microbe is causing the infection.
Although many women use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms of mastitis, it is preferable to consult your healthcare professional first.
If antibiotic treatment is required, remember that it is essential complete the treatment that they prescribe it to you until the end, and you can rest assured because most of the medications are compatible with breastfeeding.
Do I have to stop breastfeeding because of mastitis or because I'm taking antibiotics?
The answer is NO, Quite the opposite, in fact:
- The vast majority of medications are compatible with breastfeeding.
- Continuing to breastfeed your baby will help control inflammation and resolve mastitis.
- In addition, your milk continues to retain its antibacterial properties to protect your baby from infection.
Mastitis and abscesses
Among the symptoms of mastitis that you should pay special attention to is the possibility of developing an infection that leads to the formation of a breast abscess.
An abscess is a accumulation of pus that forms a lump in the breast tissue and it has a lot to do with mastitis that was poorly treated or not properly cured.
It is detected by locating a swollen lump in the breast, which is painful and usually has a reddish, grayish or brownish color in the affected area.
If you detect a lump with these characteristics, you should See a gynecologist as soon as possible. who will perform an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
The treatment of the abscess consists of draining it with a needle to confirm what type of bacteria is causing the infection and to prescribe the most appropriate antibiotics to treat it.
We hope we have cleared up your doubts about the symptoms of mastitis, its causes and how to prevent it.
