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Inflammation of the breast

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
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Inflammation of the mammary gland or mastitis is mainly a disease of women, which is characterized by severe pain, hardening of the skin of the breast, as well as their redness, an increase in the general body temperature. The most common manifestations of mastitis occur in women from eighteen to thirty-five years old, although manifestations of mastitis occur in women from fifteen to fifty years old. This time is considered a period of strong hormonal activity, which can become an indirect cause of mastitis.

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Causes breast inflammation

The causes of inflammation of the mammary gland during breastfeeding are as follows:

  • The occurrence of lactostasis is a consequence of milk stagnation due to its large quantity in the first days of the baby's life. The newborn does not yet need milk in such volumes, and unused milk stagnates in the breast.
  • Incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast during feeding, which does not allow him to completely suck out the milk from the milk sinuses. In this case, the remaining milk is concentrated in one or several glands located nearby. In this case, the remaining sinuses remain in order, the processes of inflammation and compaction are observed only in the part of the breast where the tissues are soft and not affected.
  • Trauma to the milk ducts.
  • Anatomical imperfection of the nipple.
  • Damage to the nipple as a result of the beginning of breastfeeding, through which various pathogenic microorganisms penetrate. As a result, an inflammatory infectious disease begins, which is intensified by the accumulation of milk, which is an excellent nutrient medium for microorganisms.
  • Scratches on the skin of the chest, through which infection easily enters.
  • Infections enter the bloodstream from other areas of inflammatory processes in the body. The milk environment promotes their good nutrition, rapid development and progression of inflammation of the mammary glands.
  • Chest hypothermia due to various reasons.
  • Weakened immunity due to recent childbirth.
  • Large size of the mammary gland, as a result of which milk from the lower parts of the breast sag downwards and milk is excreted from them in insufficient quantities.

In women who are not in the lactation period, the causes of inflammation of the mammary gland are:

  • Hormonal imbalances in the body.
  • Chest hypothermia.
  • A general decrease in the body's immunity.
  • Exacerbation of radiculitis of the cervical and thoracic regions.
  • Trauma to the mammary glands, which allows various infections to enter the glands.
  • Long-term treatment of any infections.
  • Experienced severe stress.
  • Existing tumors in the breast, which are benign or malignant.

The reasons for the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the mammary glands in men are as follows:

  • Endocrine disorders in the body, due to which the normal hormonal balance is disrupted. At the same time, the production of male hormones - androgens, including testosterone, decreases.
  • Metabolic disorders in the body.
  • Pathological changes in the structure of the mammary glands in men due to the above reasons.
  • Some diseases of the urological group.
  • In case of existing disorders in the functioning of the sex glands and various problems arising as a result of this.
  • Some types of tumor processes in the adrenal glands, which contribute to an increase in the amount of female sex hormones in the blood, including estrogens.
  • Injuries to the mammary glands, as a result of which infection enters the injured breast.

Hormonal imbalance in the male body, which can lead to mastitis, is caused by the following factors:

  • Constant consumption of alcoholic beverages in large quantities, primarily beer.
  • The use of certain medications, namely drugs to lower blood pressure and tranquilizers, without consulting a doctor.
  • The use of various types of anabolic hormones, which is practiced primarily by professional athletes in strength sports.
  • Some diseases of the digestive system cause true or false gynecomastia – enlargement of the mammary glands in men.

Symptoms breast inflammation

During the lactation period, symptoms of mastitis most often develop quickly, within two to three days after the formation of milk stagnation in the breast.

Symptoms of inflammation of the mammary gland manifest themselves as follows:

  • Increased breast sensitivity.
  • The appearance of severe pain in the mammary glands.
  • The appearance of seals in part or throughout the entire mammary gland. Moreover, the shape of the seals is the same as the lobes of the mammary glands - in the form of a triangle with the apex at the nipple.
  • Increase in temperature of local nature.
  • Redness and hardening of the skin over the area of inflammation.
  • The appearance of swelling of the breast, as a result of which the mammary gland increases in size.
  • Enlarged lymph nodes are possible.
  • Sometimes there is a change from local elevated body temperature to general temperature, which in some cases reaches forty degrees, and in a short period of time.
  • In some cases, tachycardia may occur, especially in the infectious form of mastitis.
  • Leukocytosis appears - an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood, which is characteristic of infectious types of inflammation of the mammary gland.
  • During the lactation period, pain from mastitis during breastfeeding increases and becomes aching.

Each type of mastitis has its own symptoms of the disease, which allow one to distinguish one type of the disease from another:

  • With serous mastitis, pain is felt, lumps appear in the breast, the skin over the entire surface of the mammary gland has a normal color, local and general temperatures are normal.
  • In the acute infected form, there are painful sensations, there are lumps in the chest, to which is added an increase in temperature of a local and general nature, reddening of the skin over the place of the formation of the lump and thickening of the skin are observed. Painful sensations become sharp, they appear even in the case of a simple and slight touch to the mammary gland. The general condition of the sick person suddenly and greatly worsens.
  • With chronic inflammation of the mammary gland, there are seals in the chest, but the skin remains normal in color, the pain is not strong or is absent altogether. The patient's condition is satisfactory, the body temperature is normal or subfebrile, that is, from 37 to 37.5 degrees. Such a body temperature indicates a sluggish inflammatory process that is present in the body.
  • In case of an abscess of the mammary gland or glands, a lesion with clear contours with a large accumulation of pus is formed, while this area of the breast softens and becomes red. The breast swells, pain sensations appear in it, the general body temperature is constantly and greatly elevated. Regional lymph nodes increase in size.
  • In the phlegmonous form of the disease, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply, signs of general intoxication of the body appear, sleep and appetite are disturbed. Regional lymph nodes increase in size and become painful. Dilated veins located subcutaneously can be seen through the skin. The breast may change shape, and nipple retraction also appears.
  • In gangrene of the mammary gland, the general condition of the patient is very severe. In this case, the skin on the inflamed breast changes its color to bluish or purple, and the gland loses its shape.

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Where does it hurt?

Forms

Mastitis is divided into those that occur during the lactation period and those that occur outside of it. Inflammation of the mammary gland in women during breastfeeding is the most common form of mastitis.

Inflammation of the mammary gland occurs not only in women, but also in men and children of both sexes, including newborns. This is due to certain hormonal disorders in the body of a sick person.

Mastitis can be acute or chronic. The chronic form is most often found in women who have entered the climacteric period.

There are several types of inflammation of the mammary gland, depending on the clinical picture of the disease:

  • Serous is an inflammatory process in which there is no infection with various infections.
  • Acute infection is an inflammatory process complicated by the entry of various infections into the nipple area, which subsequently spread throughout the entire mammary gland.
  • Chronic - is the result of improper antibacterial treatment of acute infected mastitis or occurs in the absence of proper treatment.
  • Abscess of the mammary gland or glands - occurs on the basis of serous or acute infected mastitis.
  • Phlegmonous - which leads to a sharp deterioration in the general condition of the sick person, which is a consequence of general intoxication of the body.
  • Gangrene of the mammary gland is a very serious condition of the mammary gland and the body as a whole, in which conservative therapy is no longer effective.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in women

Most often, inflammation of the mammary glands in women is observed during the period of breastfeeding, or more precisely, during the onset of lactation. This is caused by insufficient milk suction by the baby or an incorrect process of feeding the newborn, including incorrect preparation for this act. This is also caused by various damage to the nipple in the form of cracks and breast skin in the form of scratches and small wounds, through which the infection easily penetrates and quickly multiplies in the milk environment. Infectious diseases of the breast from a mild stage very quickly transform into a serious one, since during this period, nursing women experience a decrease in immunity, which does not allow the body to effectively resist diseases.

Mastitis occurs especially often in nursing mothers after the birth of their first baby and during the first six weeks of the lactation period. Similar phenomena occur in primiparous women and at the time of stopping breastfeeding.

In non-lactating women, the cause of mastitis is mainly endocrine disorders and the appearance of hormonal imbalance during certain transitional periods in a woman’s life.

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Inflammation of the mammary gland in men

Inflammation of the mammary gland or mastitis in men occurs in quite rare cases. And this only happens when men have endocrine or metabolic disorders that lead to pathological transformations in the mammary gland. In some men, due to hormonal changes, the mammary glands increase in size, which is called gynecomastia. Sometimes, in some representatives of the stronger sex, due to the above reasons, there is a production of breast milk of a defective nature.

The male mammary gland is structurally the same as the female mammary gland. The mammary glands of men and women differ only in the degree of their development. It is necessary to recall that before the onset of puberty, the mammary glands of both boys and girls are the same. At the same time, the male breast consists of the same glandular tissues as the female mammary glands, but they are poorly developed. Therefore, mastitis can occur in men just as in women.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in men can occur both with their pathological enlargement and with a normal size of the mammary gland.

At first, any mastitis in men occurs in a serous form and outwardly resembles swelling of the mammary gland. At the same time, an increase in the mammary glands is observed, as well as the appearance of painful sensations. When palpating, it can be found that a small lump has appeared in the chest. After some time, an increase in the lymph nodes, which are located in the armpits, can be observed. Pain in these lymph nodes can also appear.

The next stage of the disease is manifested in infiltration, which is characterized by the appearance of a large number of leukocytes in the affected area of the mammary gland. As a result, an infiltrate begins to form in this area. This phase of the disease is accompanied by an increase in local and general body temperature, the appearance of greater pain in the chest, increased swelling and redness of the skin in the affected area. In this case, the patient experiences symptoms of intoxication of the body.

If proper treatment of the disease is not started at this stage, it can lead to the transition of the disease to the purulent stage. The symptoms of the disease in this phase are characterized by the appearance of severe pain and obvious intoxication of the body. When palpating the mammary gland, a seal can be found that is hot to the touch and painful for the patient. The skin above the site of the abscess formation turns very red.

Purulent manifestations of mastitis occur in men in very rare cases, but at the same time, they are very dangerous for the health and life of the patient. In these cases, various emergency conditions arise that require urgent surgical intervention.

Inflammation of the mammary gland in a child

Inflammation of the mammary gland in a child occurs due to various reasons. The inflammatory process (mastitis) occurs in newborns of both sexes, as well as in grown-up boys and girls.

Mastitis in children will be described in detail in the following sections.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in newborns

In infants of both sexes, due to hormonal changes, a sexual crisis occurs, which is characterized, among other things, by an increase or swelling (engorgement) of the mammary glands. This phenomenon is called physiological mastopathy and is considered absolutely normal if the glands increase in diameter to three centimeters. In this case, the skin should not turn red, and no seals or changes occur under it. In this case, a grayish or milky-white liquid may be released from the newborn's chest. This phenomenon occurs on the second day after the baby is born and disappears by the end of the first week of his life.

Parents should remember that they should not try to treat this phenomenon in any way, which includes squeezing "milk" out of the breasts, warming up, applying tinctures, applying compresses with Vishnevsky ointment, camphor, etc. Various manipulations with the newborn's mammary glands can provoke the appearance of cracks in their nipples, which accelerates the penetration of infection into them and causes mastitis.

Sometimes mastitis in newborns is caused by prickly heat with pustules, which appears due to the fact that the baby is rarely bathed. Mastitis also appears due to decreased immunity in the baby.

In newborns, inflammation of the mammary gland appears in the second - third week of the baby's life, when physiological mastitis usually subsides, and inflammatory mastitis begins to progress. Symptoms of further engorgement of the mammary gland appear, which quickly transform into purulent mastitis. In many cases, the inflammatory process appears in one gland.

In addition to the above symptoms, there is severe pain in the chest, and signs of intoxication of the body appear - an increase in body temperature, fever and convulsions, lethargy and inhibition of the baby, as well as tearfulness and restlessness. At the same time, the newborn does not take the breast well, his appetite disappears. Sometimes there are problems with the digestive tract, regurgitation, vomiting and diarrhea appear.

After this, the mammary gland turns red, swells, pain increases, and the local temperature rises. The progression of the disease leads to suppuration in the affected area, which, if not treated properly, causes damage to the chest, phlegmon, and sepsis.

Purulent mastitis is very dangerous for girls, as it causes the death of part of the gland and clogs part of the ducts, which subsequently has a negative effect on lactation. If treatment is ineffective, mastitis becomes chronic, which manifests itself in the formation of large lesions with pus that break through to the outside.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in boys

In adolescent boys, pubertal gynecomastia may be observed when entering puberty. Its symptoms include enlargement and soreness, which can be mistaken for inflammation of the mammary glands. This process is physiologically normal and passes within one to two years. If no changes have occurred after this period, then it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist for examination. Since these signs indicate a hormonal imbalance in the boy's body.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in girls

Inflammation of the mammary glands in girls is not a very common phenomenon. In adolescence, inflammatory processes may appear in the form of fistulas, which are located near the nipple on the pigment ring. The products of the inflammatory activity of the fistulas are removed through the nipple.

In very rare cases, teenage girls suffer from mastitis, an inflammatory process of the breast tissue. This disease manifests itself as a focus of softened tissue with an elevated local temperature near the pigment ring, which occurs suddenly. At the same time, the skin over the area of inflammation turns red.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes of the mammary gland

In some inflammatory diseases of the mammary gland, an increase in the lymph nodes located in the armpits is observed. Such anomalies are caused by mastitis - inflammation of the mammary gland and mastopathy - pathological growth of mammary gland tissue.

With mastopathy, not only an increase in lymph nodes is observed, but also the appearance of painful sensations in them. This is manifested by the so-called inflammation of the lymph nodes of the mammary gland. At the same time, the appearance of discharge from the mammary gland is observed. Such symptoms should not be ignored, but immediately contact a specialist - a mammologist for consultation and appropriate treatment.

Inflammation of the milk duct

Inflammation of the milk duct occurs due to milk stagnation in the breast during lactation. This causes inflammation of the mammary gland and its ducts, which is called mastitis. All the symptoms and causes of inflammatory processes that occur in the milk ducts are described in the previous sections, when explaining the disease mastitis.

Erysipelas of the mammary gland

Erysipelas of the mammary gland is an inflammatory process of the skin of the breast of a serous-exudative nature. This type of inflammation appears due to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the skin when expressing milk or hematogenously (through the general blood flow) from other acute and chronic foci of infection.

At the site of erysipelas, dystrophic changes in the skin occur, and the conductivity of the skin vessels is disrupted. In certain cases, inflammation of the mammary gland (mastitis) causes erysipelas of the skin, which is a complication of mastitis.

The following are considered symptoms of erysipelas of the breast:

  • Acute onset of the disease, with immediate signs of general intoxication of the body in the form of headache, muscle pain, increased weakness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
  • Increase in body temperature to 39 – 40 degrees.
  • After the above symptoms appear, after a few hours, pain appears in the affected area, followed by redness, which quickly increases.
  • The inflamed area of the skin swells.
  • An erythematous rash appears, which becomes higher than the skin level.
  • The nearby lymph nodes become enlarged.

If you do not resort to timely treatment of inflammatory processes, then such neglect of your own health can lead to the development of abscesses and phlegmons inside the subcutaneous tissue, as well as to the appearance of the most severe degree of erysipelas of the mammary gland - gangrenous.

The worst consequences are observed with the gangrenous form of erysipelas, which leads to the loss of function of the mammary gland due to the formation of scars in the breast tissue. Milder complications include disturbances in the lymph flow and blood flow in the mammary gland.

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Inflammation of the nipple of the mammary gland

Inflammation of the nipple of the mammary gland occurs in women due to milk stagnation in the mammary gland during breastfeeding. At the same time, if cracks in the nipples appear, these reasons can cause the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the nipple, which causes an inflammatory process. The reasons that cause inflammation in the nipple include improperly selected underwear with low hygienic parameters, improper attachment of the baby to the breast, as well as improper breast care during the lactation period.

Inflammation of the nipples is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Engorgement of the nipples.
  • Redness of the skin of the mammary gland around the nipples.
  • A feeling of pressure and distension in the mammary gland.
  • The appearance of painful sensations in the nipples.
  • Increase in overall body temperature.

If nipple inflammation is not treated in time, the inflammation progresses and spreads further. The mammary gland swells, the skin stretches and changes its color to burgundy, the local temperature increases. At the same time, symptoms of general intoxication of the body occur, expressed in weakness and severe headaches. Breastfeeding a baby causes severe pain in the nipple and breast, this also applies to the process of expressing milk. The amount of milk in the breast with inflammation of the nipples can greatly decrease.

Diagnostics breast inflammation

If certain symptoms appear that indicate inflammation of the mammary gland, you should immediately contact a specialist - a mammologist. During the consultation, the doctor will examine and palpate the breast, and also prescribe additional examination. Such measures must be taken to make a correct diagnosis, as well as to exclude other diseases of the mammary gland.

The most accurate diagnostic method is an ultrasound examination (US) of the milk ducts, which allows you to see the nature of the inflammatory process, determine its stage and visually track possible complications.

The results of the ultrasound examination determine the choice of conservative therapy.

If there is a suspicion of an abscess or malignant tumors, in addition to an ultrasound, it is necessary to perform a mammogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a biopsy for further laboratory research.

Differential diagnostics of the mammary gland consists of excluding tumor processes in the breast, which is quite a difficult task. Since cancer is inflammatory cancer, it is quite easy to confuse it with an abscess. Differential diagnostics of the mammary gland is carried out using ultrasound examination.

Diagnosis of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst is a quick procedure. If the patient has a history of a cyst, this makes the work of specialists easier. Mammography and ultrasound methods are used to establish a diagnosis. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a puncture biopsy of the mammary gland for further laboratory testing.

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Treatment breast inflammation

Treatment of acute mastitis should be started at the early stages to avoid the development of an abscess, i.e. the appearance of a purulent lesion. This is especially true for infected forms of the disease. Treatment is carried out by prescribing antibiotics, which immediately alleviate the condition of the sick woman.

If the use of antibiotics does not alleviate the patient's condition, she must be hospitalized for further examination and prescription of correct and effective treatment methods. In this case, ultrasound diagnostic methods are used, which allow for differential diagnostics to rule out the presence of a tumor in the mammary gland.

During the lactation period, it is necessary not to stop feeding the baby with the help of the mammary glands, since emptying the breast canals helps to reduce or completely eliminate the inflammatory process. Microorganisms that may be in milk do not pose a threat to the health of the newborn. At the same time, it should be remembered that continuing breastfeeding is possible only when taking antibiotics that do not penetrate into breast milk. This is the main task of the doctor prescribing the drug.

Serous acute mastitis is treated by applying bandages to the breast, which hold it in a suspended state. In this case, the use of dry heat on the breast is indicated. During the lactation period, the baby should continue to be fed, which will ensure the rapid disappearance of mastitis. Also, for the treatment of serous mastitis, specialists prescribe antibiotics of the penicillin group of semi-synthetic form and cephalosporins of the first and second generation.

Inflammation of the mammary gland can also be treated with folk medicine methods. These include compresses with aloe juice, Kalanchoe juice and carrot juice, as well as applying a freshly beaten cabbage leaf and plantain leaf to the area of inflammation.

Abscesses of the mammary gland are treated with the help of surgical intervention, which is the opening of the abscess, its emptying and drainage. During the operation, all purulent tracts are tracked, which is done with the help of a digital examination. After that, all purulent tracts are connected into one cavity. If the abscess was opened at an early stage of its formation, then this preserves the correct functioning of the mammary gland.

After surgery for an abscess, subsequent rehabilitation therapy is carried out. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. The use of antibacterial drugs begins with drugs with a wide spectrum of action. After that, a study is carried out on the reaction of microorganisms in the abscess to the action of certain drugs, and more specific drugs are prescribed in accordance with the available results.

During the recovery period after the inflammatory process has subsided, it is recommended to undergo a course of breast massage.

If you treat a breast abscess incorrectly or start the therapy process too late, such actions can provoke the appearance of phlegmon - a diffuse inflammatory process. Treatment of the phlegmonous type of inflammation of the mammary gland is carried out only with the help of surgical intervention in a hospital setting. In this case, the question of the need to remove the entire breast may arise.

Treatment of erysipelas of the mammary gland is carried out with the help of broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as antimicrobial drugs - sulfonamides and so on. Ultraviolet irradiation of inflamed skin is also used. The above therapy is necessarily supplemented with agents that strengthen the general immunity of the patient. If erysipelas is the result of mastitis, then the inflammation of the mammary gland is treated in a known way.

Treatment of inflammation of the mammary gland in men depends on the factor that caused the inflammatory process. First of all, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. Most often, these include other, primary diseases that provoke the appearance of mastitis in the mammary gland. Effective treatment should include correct diagnosis of the underlying disease and measures to eliminate it.

The choice of treatment methods for inflammation of the mammary gland in men depends on its type and stage. The serous form of the disease can be cured by conservative therapy methods, which includes rest, i.e. bed rest, antibiotics and some physiotherapy procedures.

Purulent abscesses in men require surgical intervention; conservative treatment methods are ineffective in this case.

Mastitis in newborns is treated only in hospital conditions using conservative and surgical methods. When there is no pus, compresses, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. If mastitis has entered the purulent phase, then its treatment requires surgical intervention, in which the gland is opened and the pus is removed from it.

Antibiotics for inflammation of the mammary gland

Antibacterial therapy plays a major role in the treatment of inflammation of the mammary gland. Antibiotics are used both in conservative treatment methods and as a rehabilitation after surgical interventions.

In case of inflammation of the mammary gland, antibiotics of both broad and narrow spectrum of action are prescribed. Specialists most often resort to prescribing semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins of the first and second generations.

The following antibiotics are used for inflammation of the mammary gland:

  1. Semi-synthetic broad-spectrum penicillins – amoxicillins. The drugs of this group include Osmapox, Hikoncil, Grunamox, Flemoxin-Solutab, Ranoxil, Amotide, Amoxicillin-ratiopharm.
  2. Medicines of the phenoxymethylpenicillin group - Ospen.
  3. Penicillin preparations in combination with lactamase inhibitors, which are produced by microorganisms of enzymes - clavulanic acid or sulbactam, which are capable of destroying these antibiotics. These include Amoksilav, Augmetin, Moksiklav.
  4. Cephalosporins are represented by first and second generation drugs. These include Cephalexin (Ospexin, Prolexin, Sporidex and others); Cefazolin (Zolfin, Kefzol, Lizolin, Prozolin and so on); Cefaclor (Vercef, Ceklor, Taracef); Cefuroxime (Zinacef, Zinnat, Aksetin, Ketocef).

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Prevention

Since mastitis occurs in 95 percent of cases in nursing mothers, it is necessary to teach women preventive measures that will prevent the occurrence of inflammation.

First of all, a woman during breastfeeding should pay great attention to the hygiene of her mammary glands, but not dry them out.

Daily hygiene procedures for a nursing mother include a morning shower and subsequent bra change. When choosing personal hygiene products, you should pay attention to soap with a neutral pH content, which minimizes skin drying. Every day, you can use absorbent pads that are placed in a bra and changed several times a day. After taking a shower, you need to apply special moisturizers to the skin of the chest, for example, Purelan, which consists of 100% lanolin, Bepanten, an oil solution of vitamin A.

Cracked nipples are treated with Videstim, Rescuer balm, sea buckthorn oil. In severe cases, you can use compresses with syntomycin liniment (syntomycin ointment), furacilin ointment or an oil solution of chlorophyllipt. After each feeding, these products are applied to clean skin of the nipple, as well as at night. Before feeding, the drug must be thoroughly washed off the skin of the breast so that the medicine does not get into the baby's mouth.

Between feedings, you can use a few drops of breast milk, squeeze it out, rub it on the nipple and breast and let it soak in. This measure effectively heals the nipples after cracks appear on them.

Prevention of inflammation of the mammary gland is of great importance. Prevention of chronic forms of the disease consists in timely treatment of the acute stage of mastitis of the infected and serous types. These preventive measures are especially necessary for women who have entered the menopause, since they most often have chronic forms of inflammation of the mammary gland.

Preventive measures include regular visits to specialists for examination of the mammary gland, at least once a year. It is also necessary to take care of strengthening the immune system, stabilize the hormonal background in the body, and treat foci of chronic infections.

Women are advised to protect their breasts from blows and various other injuries, and if such have occurred, to resort to timely treatment. First of all, this concerns abrasions and scratches of the skin of the breast, as well as cracks in the nipples. It is necessary to protect the mammary gland from hypothermia, as well as overheating. It is not recommended to abuse solariums, as well as exposure to ultraviolet rays in the summer for the purpose of getting a tan.

Men are advised to give up the bad habits mentioned above, and also to treat endocrine, metabolic, urological and other diseases that cause male mastitis.

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Forecast

The prognosis for the results of treatment of inflammation of the mammary gland depends on the stage of the process at which therapy began, as well as the type of mastitis.

In the serous and acute infected phase, the prognosis for recovery and absence of relapses of the disease is positive if the treatment is started in a timely manner, that is, at an early stage. If treatment procedures are ignored or the correct therapy is absent, acute infected mastitis, as well as its serous form, can turn into a chronic one, which requires long-term and serious conservative treatment. Not in all cases can chronic inflammation of the mammary gland be cured completely. Some individuals experience periodic relapses of the disease, which is caused by a general decrease in immunity, as well as hormonal disorders in the body.

When treating abscesses surgically, complications may arise in the form of scarring of breast tissue, which can complicate the process of breastfeeding, as well as affect the appearance of the mammary gland. In many cases, surgical treatment of purulent inflammation of the mammary gland does not affect the functioning of the breast, and a small scar remains on the skin of the breast.

Phlegmonous mastitis is dangerous for a woman’s health and has serious complications in the form of removal of the mammary gland.

Gangrene not only involves the removal of the mammary gland, but also poses a threat to the general condition and life of the patient. Gangrenous inflammatory processes can result in fatal outcomes due to general severe intoxication of the body.

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