Mastitis is an inflammation of the tissue that can cause swelling, pain, and redness. In a woman with mastitis, she may also experience fever and chills.
Mastitis, most often, affects breastfeeding women but it can affect non-breastfeeding women as well.
Mastitis can cause mothers to become exhausted, which makes it difficult to take care of their babies at times. Mastitis can make the mother wean her baby before she intended to, but continuing to breastfeed is better for both the mother and child because breastfeeding provides immunity to many diseases and reduces health risks for the child.
What are the symptoms of mastitis?
- Breast swelling
- Thickening of breast tissue, or breast lump
- Sensation of pain or burning constantly or during lactation
- Redness of the skin usually with a wedge-shaped pattern
- Feeling sick in general
- Fever at 38.3°C (101°F) or more
- Milk trapped in the breast is the main cause of mastitis and other causes include:
- Blockage of one of the milk ducts, if the breast is not completely emptied into lactation, the milk clots in the milk duct The blockage causes milk to flow upwards, and leads to breast infection.
Causes of mastitis
- Ulcers or cracked nipples although mastitis can develop without breaking the skin
- Wear a tight strap or press on your chest when using a seat belt or carrying a heavy bag, which may restrict milk flow
- Malnutrition
- Smoking
Inflammation of an ill-treated mastitis or due to a blocked canal can cause the appearance of a purulent pool (abscess) in your breasts and the abscess usually requires surgical drainage.
To restore your baby's best breastfeeding position, and avoid complications such as mastitis, consider getting a breastfeeding consultant. A lactation consultant can help you perform steps and get tips for the right breastfeeding techniques.
Learn what you can do to reduce your chance of developing mastitis
- Eliminate the pain of mastitis by taking your breasts out.
- Breastfeeding from one breast at a time.
- Change the position used during lactation from time to time.
- Quitting Smoking.