- How to Recognize Mastitis Symptoms
- How to fight the symptoms
- How to prevent mastitis
- Who is most at risk for mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that causes symptoms such as pain, swelling or redness, which may or may not be accompanied by an infection and consequently cause fever and chills.
This problem is usually more common in women who are breastfeeding, especially in the first three months after birth, due to the obstruction of the channels through which the milk passes or the entry of bacteria through the baby's mouth. However, it can also occur in men or at any other stage of a woman's life due to bacteria entering the breast in cases of nipple injury, for example.
In most cases, mastitis affects only one breast, and symptoms usually develop in less than two days. Mastitis is curable and should be treated as early as possible in order to prevent infection and thus worsen symptoms.
How to Recognize Mastitis Symptoms
Mastitis produces symptoms of breast engorgement, such as:
- Fever above 38ºC; Chills; Malaise; Swollen, hard, hot and reddish breast; Intense breast pain; Headache; Nausea and vomiting may be present.
Untreated mastitis can progress to breast abscess and the need for surgical drainage. If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice, as antibiotics, analgesics and anti-inflammatories may be required.
Some situations that favor mastitis are tiredness, stress, working outside the home, and especially the way the baby gets on the breast because it can cause cracks in the nipples and the extraction of milk can be impaired, leaving some trace of milk still in the breasts.
How to fight the symptoms
Some ways to relieve mastitis symptoms at home are:
- Rest as much as possible between feedings; Breastfeed more often so that the breast is not filled with milk; Vary the position in which you breastfeed; Drink about 2 liters of fluids a day such as water, teas or coconut water; Apply hot compresses on the breast or take a hot bath; massage with delicate circular movements of the affected part; wear a sports bra.
If breastfeeding becomes very painful or if the baby refuses to drink from the inflamed breast, milk can be expressed manually or with a pump. See how to store breast milk.
In cases where an infection develops, the levels of sodium and chloride in the milk will increase and the lactose levels will decrease, which leaves the milk with a different flavor, which can be rejected by the child. You can opt for infant formulas until mastitis is treated.
In some cases, antibiotics may be required. Check out more treatment options for mastitis.
How to prevent mastitis
In cases of women who are breastfeeding, the likelihood of developing mastitis can be reduced as follows:
- Completely empty the breast after breastfeeding; Let the baby empty the first breast before giving the other, alternating the breasts at the next feeding; Vary the position to breastfeed so that milk is removed from all segments of the breast; Breastfeed more often, especially if the breast is full of milk; Place the baby in the proper position, positioning it in front of the breast, with the mouth at the height of the nipple, preventing the mother from forcing the posture, as it can cause nipple injuries. See the correct position to breastfeed. Avoid wearing tight clothes, choosing clothes that support the breast without creating excessive pressure.
In other cases, it is important to properly treat wounds near the nipple to prevent the entry of bacteria that cause mastitis. A good example is to properly treat wounds caused by piercing the nipple.
Who is most at risk for mastitis
There are several risk factors that can be the cause of mastitis. The most likely to happen is in women who are breastfeeding, being more frequent in the first weeks after birth, especially if breastfeeding is always done in the same position.
In addition, if the mother is too tired or stressed, has a bad diet, wears clothes that are too tight or if she carries very heavy bags, she may also have mastitis more easily.
In men or women who are not breastfeeding, the appearance of cuts or sores on the nipple may be the cause of mastitis, but its development may occur only due to the natural aging of the breast, especially at menopause.
