What is mastitis and how to treat it. Mastitis - symptoms, causes, complications and treatment of breast mastitis. Treatment of mastitis during pregnancy

Mastitis is one of the most common breast diseases, which is characterized by infectious and inflammatory processes in the breast tissue. This inflammation has a high rate of spread. The effect of inflammation is expressed in purulent destruction of the glands and breast tissue, which can lead to blood poisoning. First of all, girls who are just preparing to become a mother should become familiar with the symptoms and types of mastitis.

Inflammation is caused by an infection, which in the vast majority of cases is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium causes non-critical skin lesions in the form of acne, etc. But it can also lead to dangerous phenomena (meningitis, pneumonia, mastitis, etc.). It is the penetration of staphylococcus into the breast tissue that causes breastfeeding (the old name for mastitis).

Nowadays, doctors are increasingly faced with cases of mastitis, which are caused by a whole complex of bacteria that have entered the mammary gland and caused infectious inflammation with suppuration. Most often, these are gram-positive staphylococci and gram-negative Escherichia coli.

Mastitis in women can be lactation or non-lactation. Lactation mastitis occurs during lactation (especially in girls giving birth for the first time). Non-lactation mastitis appears even in non-breastfeeding women aged 15 to 60 years. It is logical to assume that the causes of mastitis for each form are different, but there are also common factors among them:

• Decreased immune capabilities of the body, which cannot suppress inflammation.
• Stagnation of milk in the breast (lactostasis) is a common cause of mastitis.
• The presence of direct pathways for bacteria to penetrate into the mammary gland (wounds, nipple cracks).
• Mastopathy and other breast diseases. Their complications lead to infectious inflammation (mastitis).

Risk factors for developing mastitis

The entry of Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens into human breast tissue will not necessarily lead to inflammation and suppuration. Inflammation of the mammary gland in women is caused by anatomical and systemic factors that reduce the body’s ability to suppress infection in the mammary glands, or make it easier for bacteria to work:

• Hormonal imbalances leading to mastopathy.
• Microcracks and other damage to the nipple and areola (especially during feeding).
• Surgical interventions, scar formations in the mammary glands.
• Anomalies in the shape of the nipples - flat, lobed and others.
• Difficult pregnancy, late toxicosis.
• Low patency of the mammary gland ducts, too much milk produced.
• Diseases that reduce immunity.
• Stressful conditions, insomnia and other psychological complications.

The disease “mastitis” manifests itself due to imperfection of the milk ducts, insufficient development of the nipple, impaired feeding technique and expressing milk.

Symptoms of mastitis

The symptoms of mastitis vary depending on the form of inflammation, as well as the current stage of mastitis. In general, we can identify common signs of mastitis that are observed in patients:

• The appearance of discomfort in the chest area. With the development of mastitis and the growth of inflammation, discomfort develops into pain.
• The breasts increase in size, swelling of the mammary gland is observed. With bilateral infection, both mammary glands are susceptible to these changes.
• Redness of the skin over the site of inflammatory processes is observed, which is accompanied by local swelling of the chest tissue. Pain is felt when touched and palpated.
• Enlargement and occurrence of pain in the lymph nodes. In particular - in the armpits.
• Weakness of the body as a whole. The patient feels unwell and constantly lethargic, and loses his appetite.
• Body temperature rises. In the initial stages of the disease up to 37-38°C. At the finals, up to 39-40°C.
• The stage of development of an abscess (late forms of mastitis) is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and headache. All this develops into convulsions and loss of consciousness, the patient is often in infectious-toxic shock. With timely treatment, this group of symptoms can be avoided.

Clinical forms of mastitis

The clinical picture of mastitis refers to the development of inflammation in a woman 1-4 weeks after the birth of a child (the most common cases of mastitis). The classification of mastitis allows us to identify two main forms of inflammation: chronic and acute. Chronic mastitis does not cause significant harm to human health; the disease occurs locally and does not spread throughout the tissues.

There are two ambiguous forms of mastitis:

• Plasmacytic mastitis, also called periductal mastitis. It is not inflammation in the truest sense of the word. There is an expansion of the mammary gland ducts, in which creamy contents (plasma, lymphocytes, histiocytes) are present. At times, purulent discharge occurs from the mammary gland through the nipple. Often confused with mastopathy or cancer. Mostly occurs in older women.
• Fibrocystic mastitis, its development is associated with disturbances in hormone levels and pathologies of the thyroid gland. Presents as painful lumps inside the mammary glands. It most often manifests itself in girls during puberty and in women during menopause.

The types of mastitis are associated with the stage of development of the disease.

Serous

The initial stage of mastitis development. It is very easy to confuse it with banal lactostasis. Mastitis begins to develop on days 2-5 of breast milk stagnation. In the section of the mammary gland, where stable lactostasis is observed, the tissues are saturated with serum (serum). Local inflammation of the breast tissue occurs, even without exposure to harmful microorganisms. A timely visit to a doctor (mammologist, gynecologist, therapist) will prevent the development of inflammation and quickly recover from mastitis.

There is a thickening of the chest area at the site of stagnation, the temperature of the affected area increases locally, swelling and pain are observed (typical accompaniments of inflammation). Expressing milk causes pain and does not bring relief. If the disease is ignored, mastitis develops into more severe purulent inflammation.

Infiltrative

Infiltrative mastitis is characterized by the accumulation of a mixture of lymph, blood and cellular particles in the breast tissue (which is called infiltrate), and can occur chronically. The reason for the development of the infiltrative form of the disease is damage by pathogenic bacteria. The duration of the stage is influenced by the body’s immune reserves and the aggressiveness (quantity) of staphylococcus, or its alliance with other bacteria. This type of mastitis can quickly move to the next stage of the disease. In the acute form or relapse of the chronic form of mastitis, patients experience leukocytosis.

Abscessing

This type is associated with the formation of abscesses. Purulent mastitis begins 4-6 days after the appearance of infiltration in the chest tissues. The painful sensations intensify, the breast tissue looks like a spongy material soaked in pus. On palpation, there is a sensation of fluid movement. Persistent intoxication is observed (weakness, headaches, etc.). If there is no surgical intervention at this stage, mastitis goes into terminal (destructive) stages.

Phlegmonous

Further development of purulent inflammation. An abscess causes complete swelling of the affected part of the body, redness of the chest adjacent to the bluish color of the surface tissues. Touching the chest causes sharp pain. The nipple is pulled inward. Body temperature ranges from 38-39°C (febrile). Purulent mastitis in some cases is accompanied by convulsions and loss of consciousness. Hospitalization for phlegmonous mastitis is strictly required.

Gangrenous

The last type of mastitis is gangrenous mastitis. The affected breast is much larger than the healthy one. Areas affected by necrosis are visible. Necrosis of breast tissue causes infectious-toxic shock. The destructive stage of mastitis is fatal. But there is a chance of a cure for gangrenous mastitis.

Forms, depending on location

Mastitis is also classified according to the place of occurrence:

• Intramammary localization of mastitis - inflammation occurs deep in the mammary glands and affects the glandular tissue. Occurs most often.
• Subcutaneous and subareolar mastitis is a superficial area of ​​suppuration of the breast tissue. With subcutaneous localization, inflammation is located in any area under the skin of the chest. With subareolar localization, the breast tissue under the areola of the nipple is affected. The cause is small ulcers, infected wounds and other injuries to the breasts and nipples.
• Retromammary mastitis is a breakthrough of purulent inflammation that occurs inside the breast tissue (retromammary area).

Manifestation of the disease in children and men

In the vast majority of cases, mastitis in newborns is confused with physiological mastopathy, which is also characterized by inflammation. Mastopathy refers to signs of normal adaptation of an infant to life outside the womb. It is associated with excess estrogen, which came from the mother during pregnancy. Ridding the baby's body of excess hormones causes engorgement of the breast tissue in children. Inflammation is observed in children of both sexes, but more often in girls.

Purulent mastitis appears very rarely in newborns. It is associated with improper baby hygiene, ignoring prickly heat and microdamage to the nipples. Often, parents’ attempts to cure “mastitis” in a newborn (which is actually mastopathy) lead to infection with the real disease.

Mastitis in men is also extremely rare. Reasons include diabetes, gynecomastia, tumors in the genital area, consumption of anabolic steroids and low-quality beer (estrogens). It is hormonal causes that in most cases are the causative agents of male mastitis. Treatment is similar to that for women.

Diagnostics

If pain and inflammation occur in the chest area, a person should immediately consult a doctor: mammologist, pediatrician or gynecologist. The surgeon also treats mastitis.

The process of diagnosing mastitis does not cause any difficulties. The basis is the patient’s complaints, the results of palpation and laboratory tests.

The following tests are carried out:

• Urine and blood analysis (general).
• Study of breast milk for bacteriological composition. The indicators of both mammary glands are compared. 1 ml of liquid is enough.
• Study of the number of red blood cells in milk. They play the role of markers of inflammation.
• Acid-base balance and reductase are calculated.

In severe forms of mastitis (abscess, phlegmonous mastitis), the patient undergoes a breast examination using ultrasound. The infiltrate of the affected mammary gland is also examined (puncture).

If diagnosis is difficult (usually in chronic mastitis), mammography is prescribed. Chronic mastitis requires a biopsy to diagnose cancer.

Conservative treatment

Treatment of mastitis with medications is allowed in the initial stages. In this case, the patient should feel satisfactory: the temperature does not exceed 38°C, there is no purulent inflammation. Blood tests should show no changes.

If drug therapy does not show effectiveness, preparations for surgery begin.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics and antibacterial medications for mastitis are taken for 10-14 days. The infectious cause of mastitis is eliminated with drugs that contain amoxicillin. It suppresses Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus and other infections that cause purulent inflammation.

At the initial stages of inflammation of the mammary glands, treatment with penicillin antibiotics is allowed.

Analgesics

Analgesics are designed to reduce the level of inflammation and swelling, as well as relieve the pain of mastitis. Medicines can be supplemented with antispasmodics. Prescribed Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, No-shpa, etc. The type of medication depends largely on whether the woman is breastfeeding.

Antihistamines

Blockade of histamine receptors is important for large swelling of the mammary glands. This is especially true for people with low blood pressure, as well as patients predisposed to septic shock. If there is purulent discharge in the milk, lactation is suppressed with drugs.

Immunomodulators

One of the reasons for the penetration of infections is a decrease in immunity. Drugs such as Polyglobulin, Methyluracil, Antistaphylococcal gamma globulin and other immune modulators are prescribed taking into account tests and medical history.

Vitamin complexes

Vitamins have a beneficial effect on the entire body and also increase a person’s ability to resist pathogens. In addition to fruits and vegetables, useful elements are obtained from vitamin complexes such as Complivit, Undevit, etc.

Creams and ointments

Drugs with a local anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect for the mammary glands are prescribed in conjunction with the above-mentioned drugs against mastitis. The ointment heals damaged breast tissue and eliminates the feeling of discomfort in the affected breast. Traumgel, Heliomycin, Progestogel and others are prescribed.

Under no circumstances should you self-prescribe medications. This can cause allergic reactions and mastitis complications.

Surgical treatment

Starting with abscess mastitis, effective treatment is surgery. A small focus of purulent inflammation is treated by inserting a needle into the mammary glands and pumping out the pus. Antibiotics are then pumped into the devastated area to eliminate the inflammation.

A large abscess and multiple foci of inflammation imply mastitis. During the operation, the source of inflammation is opened, and the pus is removed along with the affected tissue. A drainage is installed into the resulting cavity to pump out pus. After 3-4 days, the drainage is removed and a suture is made (if mastitis does not recur).

After surgical measures to eliminate mastitis, the patient undergoes therapy with infusion solutions. This is followed by taking antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators.

Traditional treatment at home

Treatment at home is allowed only for serous mastitis or lactostasis. The doctor must agree to home therapy.

Compresses

It is allowed to use cold compresses on the chest:

• Pumpkin pulp boiled in milk.
• Honey cakes (flower honey and wheat flour).
• Tea mushroom.
• Grated carrots.

Cabbage wraps

Cabbage leaf is used for redness of the mammary glands. The cabbage is cooled and applied to the chest for an hour or two. The procedure must be repeated at least 6 times a day.

Water massage

Rubbing with alcohol

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies should not include exposure to high temperatures. Alcohol compress and rubbing have a warming effect. Bacteria multiply quickly in warm conditions. This will speed up the transition of mastitis to the abscess stage.

Ice

When mastitis begins, applying ice will slow the spread of infection and reduce discomfort. The ice pack should be wrapped in a towel to prevent frostbite. The duration of sessions is no more than 3 minutes.

Honey

Honey has a disinfectant and antibacterial effect. Promotes wound healing. You can apply cold honey compresses to your chest no more than 2 times a day.

Essential oils

Essential oils are added to chest compresses. Mint helps reduce fever, fir kills bacteria and reduces inflammatory processes. Camphor oil acts as a pain reliever. Essential oils are prohibited during breastfeeding (lactostasis).

Medicinal herbs

Decoctions are made from herbs and used in compresses against mastitis. Oral administration is allowed with the consent of the doctor.

• Sage - suppresses lactation function, weak antibiotic.
• Alder reduces inflammatory processes.
• Chamomile is a native antiseptic, the effect is noticeable in infectious mastitis.
• Sweet clover works as an antispasmodic.

Complications of mastitis

Any infection accompanied by inflammation, especially with the participation of Staphylococcus aureus, can cause complications in the form of septic syndromes:

• Pericarditis.
• Meningitis.
• Infectious-toxic shock condition.
• The appearance of several purulent inflammations - pneumonia, osteomyelitis, etc.
• DIC syndrome.

When taking medications in a timely manner, complications of mastitis are not observed.

Prevention of mastitis

Prevention of mastitis is a set of measures that minimize the risk of occurrence and development of purulent inflammation:

• Speedy elimination of milk stagnation in the mammary glands.
• Breast hygiene, especially during feeding.
• Timely healing of breast injuries.
• Normalization of hormone levels.
• Restoration of immune functions.
• Regular examination of the mammary glands by a mammologist.

Since the absence of damage to breast tissue helps to avoid mastitis, you should pay special attention to the choice of bra. It must be the right size, comfortable in shape and made from natural fabrics.

You shouldn’t start even minor breast inflammation and hope that it will go away on its own. If you suspect mastitis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Mastitis, or, as it is also defined, breastfeeding, is a disease in which the mammary gland becomes inflamed. Mastitis, the symptoms of which can be observed in women aged 15-45 years, in the vast majority of cases is associated with breastfeeding, but the possibility of this disease appearing immediately before childbirth or without any connection with them or pregnancy cannot be ruled out.

general description

Mastitis is observed in about 70% of cases in women who have given birth for the first time, in 27% in women who have given birth for the second time, and, accordingly, in 3% of cases in women who have given birth multiple times. It is noteworthy that mastitis can also develop not only in women without a corresponding connection with pregnancy, but also in girls and even men.

Mastitis not associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding is defined as non-lactation mastitis, it appears mainly due to trauma to the mammary gland, and a variant of the development of this disease cannot be excluded as a cause as a result of the relevance of hormonal disorders for the female body.

Causes of mastitis

The main cause of mastitis is the entry of bacteria directly into the breast tissue. This can happen through cracks in the nipples, which in this case act as an open gate for infection to enter the specified environment, as well as through the blood, which occurs in the presence of chronic infectious foci in the body. In the latter case, such foci include pyelonephritis, chronic tonsillitis and other diseases.

It should be noted that in a normal state of health, the entry of a certain amount of bacteria into the mammary gland leads to their corresponding destruction, carried out by the immune system. Meanwhile, the vast majority of cases indicate a weakened female body after childbirth, and accordingly, the immune system ceases to properly fight infections.

As an important point contributing to the development of the disease we are considering, we should highlight lactostasis, in which stagnation occurs in the ducts of the milk glands, which occurs due to insufficient expression of milk, incomplete expression, or due to rare feedings. Stagnation of milk in the ducts provides a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria, because milk as a whole has a lot of nutrients.

Mastitis: types

The following main types of mastitis are distinguished:

• lactation mastitis (postpartum mastitis) is the most common variant of the disease (about 85%), associated with breastfeeding;
• non-lactation mastitis (fibrocystic mastitis) - accordingly, occurs due to causes not related to breastfeeding;
• mastitis (breasts) of newborns - manifests itself in the form of engorgement of the mammary gland in a newborn baby, and gender is not a determining factor in this case; accordingly, the disease can develop in both boys and girls. The reason for its development is the transfer of lactogenic hormones from the maternal blood (that is, hormones that stimulate lactation).

Based on the characteristics of the current inflammatory process, the following types of mastitis are determined:

• acute lactostasis, in which milk does not secrete;
• serous mastitis;
• infiltrative acute mastitis;
• destructive mastitis;
• chronic mastitis (in purulent or non-purulent form).

In accordance with the specific area of ​​localization, the following types of mastitis are distinguished:

• subcutaneous mastitis;
• subareolar mastitis (that is, concentrated in the area under the areola);
• intramammary mastitis (concentrated directly in the mammary gland);
• retromammary mastitis (concentrated outside the breast).

Mastitis and lactostasis

One of the reasons that provokes lactostasis is the “irregularity” of the shape of the nipples (which is important for inverted or flat nipples), which makes it difficult for the child to suck the breast, and also leads to incomplete emptying when feeding the mammary glands, which, in turn, leads to lactostasis .

As we have already noted, lactostasis in general implies stagnation in the ducts of the milk glands due to insufficient pumping. As a result of this condition, the mammary gland becomes painful, focal lumps appear in it, disappearing under the influence of massage. Milk flows unevenly from the painful area of ​​the gland. Mostly, if not combined with mastitis, lactostasis is not accompanied by fever, but if lactostasis is not eliminated within a few days, it will inevitably transition to mastitis. Mastitis in this case is accompanied by a temperature of up to 39 degrees.

Accordingly, the basis for the development of mastitis is precisely lactostasis, which acts as the root cause. In addition to these factors, lactostasis is caused by a number of other options:

• improper attachment of the baby to the breast;
• the process of feeding the baby when taking only one position;
• giving the child a pacifier, which leads to subsequent tactics on his part as a “passive sucker”;
• use of a special nipple shield when feeding the baby;
• sleeping on your stomach;
• stress;
• tight clothes, bras;
• restrictions on the frequency of feeding the baby, time restrictions in this process, as a result of which the breast does not empty properly;
• excessive physical activity that spasms the gland ducts;
• bruises and chest injuries;
• feeding the baby without warming up after suffering from hypothermia;
• sudden transition to artificial feeding of the child.

Mastitis: symptoms

The clinic for manifestations of mastitis today has the following features:

• late onset, noted after a period of about 1 month from the date of birth;
• frequent appearance of subclinical and erased forms of the disease, the symptoms of which are not evidence of the true state of affairs regarding the process under consideration;
• the predominant variant of the appearance of infiltrative purulent mastitis in patients;
• duration of purulent mastitis.

The symptoms of mastitis depend on its specific form; below we will consider their main options.

Serous mastitis. The symptoms of the disease, as well as its course, are characterized by the severity of the manifestation; the onset of this mastitis occurs within 2 to 4 weeks from the moment of birth. There is an increase in temperature (up to 39 degrees), chills. Symptoms accompanying intoxication also appear in the form of weakness, headache, and general fatigue. First, patients experience heaviness in the mammary gland, and then pain, and milk stagnation occurs.

At the same time, there is a certain increase in the volume of the mammary gland, and the skin becomes red (hyperemic). When trying to express milk, severe pain is felt, but the result does not bring relief. The lack of adequate treatment measures, as well as the progression of inflammation, leads to the fact that serous mastitis develops into infiltrative mastitis.

Infiltrative mastitis. In this case, the chills experienced by the patient are quite strong, and pronounced tension and pain are felt in the mammary gland. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, insomnia, headache and general weakness are also relevant. There is also an enlargement of the mammary gland and redness of the skin. In addition, patients experience pain in the axillary lymph nodes, which is combined with pain on palpation (feeling). The untimely treatment of this form of the disease, as well as the lack of effectiveness in it, leads to the fact that the inflammation becomes purulent, this, in turn, ensures the transition to the corresponding, purulent form.

Purulent mastitis. Here the condition of the patients deteriorates significantly. Appetite decreases, weakness increases, and problems with sleep appear. The increase in temperature mainly remains within 39 degrees. Chills persist, the skin becomes pale, and sweating increases. There is still tension and pain in the mammary gland, its size is increased, redness is pronounced, and the skin is swollen. Expressing milk is greatly complicated, and pus can often be found in small portions obtained.

Abscessing mastitis. The predominant variants are areola abscess or furunculosis; retro- and intramammary abscesses in the form of purulent cavities are somewhat less common.

Phlegmonous mastitis. In this case, the inflammatory process captures a larger area of ​​the mammary gland, followed by melting of its tissue and switching to the surrounding tissue and skin. The patient's condition is generally defined as severe, the temperature is about 40 degrees.

Chills persist, intoxication has a pronounced character of its characteristic manifestations. There is a sharp increase in the volume of the mammary gland and swelling of its skin. In addition to redness of the skin, cyanosis is also noted in some areas of the affected gland. Palpation (palpation) indicates its pastiness (swelling), as well as pronounced pain. With this form of mastitis, the possibility of developing septic shock cannot be excluded.

Gangrenous mastitis. The course of the disease is significantly complicated, intoxication has extremely pronounced manifestations. Necrosis of the mammary gland develops (that is, its death occurs). The patient's condition is generally serious, the skin is pale, there is no appetite, and insomnia appears.

The temperature is about 40 degrees, the pulse is increased (up to 120 beats/min.). The affected gland is enlarged in size, swelling and pain are noted. The skin above it may be pale green or purplish-bluish; in some places there are areas of necrosis and blisters. There is no milk, the nipple is retracted. Enlargement and pain also occur in the area of ​​regional lymph nodes, which is revealed by palpation.

Diagnosis

The pronounced manifestations of the symptoms of the disease we are considering do not lead to any difficulties in making a diagnosis, which is based both on the general complaints of the patient and on an objective examination of her mammary glands.

It should be noted that underestimating the symptoms characteristic of the purulent process, as well as overestimating factors in the form of skin hyperemia and the absence of fluctuations by the doctor can lead to long-term treatment of the purulent form of mastitis, which in the end will simply be unjustified. Irrational antibacterial therapy in the case of abscessive mastitis or infiltrative-abscessive mastitis leads to a serious threat of developing the disease in its erased form, in which the symptoms do not determine the actual condition of the patient and the severity relevant to the inflammatory process.

Such patients initially have an elevated temperature, often experiencing redness and swelling of the skin, naturally within the mammary gland. These signs can be eliminated by prescribing antibiotics. As a result, the temperature drops to normal levels during the day with a possible slight increase in the evening. Local signs indicating purulent inflammation are absent or very weakly expressed. Pain in the mammary gland is moderate. Palpation reveals an infiltrate that remains the same size or gradually increases in size.

Infiltrative-abscessing mastitis, observed in more than half of the cases, has an infiltrate consisting of a large number of small purulent cavities, however, when using infiltrate puncture as a diagnostic method, pus can be obtained extremely rarely. If you use the puncture method in relation to the erased form, then it is already advisable to assert its value as a diagnostic method.

Additional diagnostic methods include blood tests and echography of the glands.

Treatment of mastitis

Treatment of the disease is determined based on the characteristics of its course, form and other factors on a strictly individual basis, and its measures are aimed primarily at reducing the growth of the number of bacteria while simultaneously influencing the inflammatory process in order to reduce it. In addition, of course, therapy involves the selection of appropriate measures aimed at pain relief.

For non-purulent forms of mastitis, conservative treatment methods are applicable. Antibiotics are used as the main drugs; the sensitivity of the bacteria is the basis for their selection. These antibiotics mainly belong to the penicillin group, cephalosporins, etc. They are applicable internally, intravenously or intramuscularly. Anesthetic drugs are used to relieve pain.

The patient should express milk at intervals of three hours and for both mammary glands, this is done to avoid stagnation of milk. Acceleration of the healing process is facilitated by a decrease in milk production or complete suppression of this process by prescribing appropriate medications by a doctor. After recovery, lactation can be resumed.

As for the treatment of purulent mastitis, it is carried out exclusively through surgical intervention. As an addition to treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures in the form of UHF and laser therapy, vitamin therapy, antianemic therapy and desensitizing therapy are used.

If you suspect mastitis, you should contact your treating gynecologist and mammologist.

Reading time: 5 min

Inflammation of the mammary glands is quite common today, so knowledge about mastitis and its treatment at home will be useful for every woman.

Pain in the chest area, increased body temperature, enlargement of the gland and its hardening are the main signs of the disease.

There is no point in delaying treatment, as simple inflammation can progress to a purulent stage, which is dangerous to the health and life of the patient.

Briefly about the disease

Mastitis (breast) is a common female disease. Often it affects women after childbirth, when insufficient knowledge about breastfeeding leads to.

Pyogenic microbes that enter the gland through cracks in the nipples and wounds in the area of ​​the lymph nodes cause an inflammatory process.

Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of mastitis in women allows you to avoid exacerbation of the disease and surgical intervention.

It is not difficult to identify mastitis; the disease has pronounced symptoms. The symptoms of mastitis are as follows:

• the density of the gland increases, and with the slightest pressure it becomes unbearably painful;
• there is a nagging pain, the chest enlarges somewhat (expands);
• an increase in the patient’s body temperature, chills are possible;
• painful sensations when feeding the baby.

There are several types of the disease: lactation, non-lactation, acute, destructive, serous, abscessing and infiltrative.

Discomfort, pain and lumps in the breast are signals to immediately visit a mammologist. After examination, the attending physician will determine the stage of inflammation of the mammary gland and make a prescription.

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies is not the main solution to the problem. Traditional medicine can only help and enhance the effect of drug therapy.

Additional methods for treating mastitis

The activity of pyogenic bacteria can be extinguished with special ointments and medications. The sooner you start treating the disease, the faster it will go away and will not cause complications.

Additional treatment methods for mastitis include:

• Physiotherapy, in particular aquatic. This action is aimed at cleansing the skin.

The physiotherapy procedure for mastitis has a cleansing effect.

But be careful, you cannot use hot water when dousing, showering or taking a bath. This will intensify the inflammatory process.

• Exercising is also helpful in fighting inflammation.

Some exercises will speed up blood flow in problem areas, promote the outflow of lymph and the resorption of compactions.

These are push-ups or squeezing a tennis ball between your palms at chest level. The exercises are simple, but they must be carried out constantly until the disease is eliminated.

• Cold treatment of mastitis at home involves rubbing the chest with a cosmetic ice cube.

For greater effectiveness, make ice from herbal infusions. Such procedures are not recommended to be performed more than 3 times a day.

Regular cooling hardens and strengthens blood vessels, epidermal cells, and promotes lymph outflow.

Rubbing with dry ice is also suitable for a nursing mother with purulent or infiltrative mastitis. Cold slows down milk production and makes pumping easier.

• Limit your intake of salty foods. Salt particles provoke swelling and increase pain.

Folk remedies, compresses are the most effective method of treatment. Medicinal herbs, homemade products and castor oil will help quickly eliminate the problem.

It is necessary to use folk recipes for the treatment of breastfeeding after preliminary consultation with a specialist. Some remedies do not produce tangible results and can cause harm.

Women with mastitis should stop breastfeeding and express milk completely. Breastfeeding can continue after recovery.

Traditional treatment of illness

There are many recipes and folk methods for eliminating the problem. They are available, effective and harmless when used correctly.

Let's look at the most popular methods of dealing with breastfeeding.

Cabbage against mastitis

Cabbage will help cope with inflammation of the mammary gland in women. Before use, wash it thoroughly to avoid infection.

Used in several ways:

1. As a compress. The leaf from the inner, concave side is beaten with a hammer until the juice appears. For greater effect, the inside is greased with butter or a squeeze of fresh beets. Then apply the sheet to the sore chest and fix it. It is advisable to carry out the procedure before going to bed and remove the compress after waking up.
2. The leaf is passed through a meat grinder. The gruel is mixed with kefir, then laid out on a gauze bandage and applied to the chest. It is also recommended to do the procedure at night.
3. For nursing patients, doctors advise first scalding the sheet with boiling water and only then applying it to the breast. The product is applied until it cools completely. Be careful with this method: improper heating can worsen the situation and increase inflammation.

Camphor oil and breastfeeding

Camphor oil for mastitis is another well-known and effective treatment method.

The advantages of the product include high anesthetic and antiseptic properties. You can use camphor oil to combat the disease in several ways:

1. An alcohol compress is made from vodka and camphor oil. Keep the compress on the skin for no more than 15 minutes. Excessive heat can harm the patient’s health and increase inflammation, so consult a specialist before using the product.
2. Prepare an ointment from oil (1 tbsp) and regular baby cream (2 tbsp). Apply ointment regularly for mastitis for 25-30 minutes.
3. Mix camphor and sea buckthorn oils in equal parts. Rub the oil mixture into the skin of your chest before going to bed, and rinse off the remaining product the next morning.
4. Make a healing cream with the addition of camphor oil extract. To prepare the product, mix honey (1 tbsp), softened butter (1 tbsp) and no more than 1 tsp. camphor extract. Spread a small amount of cream over the problem area, place polyethylene on top and secure everything with linen (cotton) cloth.

Avoid warming procedures so as not to provoke complications and an increase in inflamed areas.

We treat illness with honey

Honey is a storehouse of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. It has healing, soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it is widely used in eliminating the disease. Honey is used to prepare ointments and compresses.

We offer several effective recipes:

1. Honey cake is a simple way to relieve inflammation. Mix natural honey with flour in a ratio of 1:2, you should get a dense pancake. It is applied to the problem area at night.
2. Baked onions with honey guarantee a soft and delicate solution to the problem of the mammary glands. You need to cut the onion into 2 parts and bake it in the oven. Then apply a little honey to the cut and apply it to the sore breast.
3. You can use the onion juice released during baking separately. Mix juice with honey. Honey and onion compresses will speed up the patient’s recovery.
4. A compress made from aloe extract, Kalanchoe with the addition of corn oil and honey will be useful. The ingredients, except honey, are mixed in equal proportions. After 12 hours, honey is added to the mixture. The prepared product is applied to the affected area and wrapped with cotton cloth. Honey-flower compress has a healing and analgesic effect.

Chamomile against illness

Medicinal chamomile will also help cure mastitis of the mammary glands. The product's affordable price and ease of use are guaranteed.

The benefits of chamomile include antibacterial, analgesic and calming properties. Regular herbal lotions will relieve swelling and get rid of harmful bacteria.

Chamomile flowers are used in the following way:

1. Brew a strong decoction at the rate of 3 tbsp. l. flowers for 1 cup of boiling water.
2. When the herbal decoction has infused and cooled (this will take about half an hour), soak a cotton cloth with it and place it on the problematic part of the body.
3. After 15-20 minutes, change the compress.
4. Repeat the steps 2 - 3 more times.

Treatment with folk remedies is a painstaking, serious task.

Before treating your breasts with homemade ointments, seek advice from a specialist and test for an allergic reaction.

By these actions you will protect yourself from unnecessary problems and complications.

Salt and castor oil for mastitis

Salt is a universal product that everyone has in their kitchen. With its help, you can treat mastitis at home. To do this, the following actions are required:

1. Place 1 tbsp in warm water (50 g). l. salt. Wait until it dissolves completely.
2. Blot cotton fabric with cutouts for nipples with saline solution and place it on your chest. To enhance the effect, place a plastic film on top of the bandage and secure everything with a bandage.
3. When you feel that the compress has cooled down, repeat the procedure.

Castor oil can reduce inflammation of the mammary gland in a woman. The composition of the oil contains useful components. They relieve pain and swelling, accelerate the resorption of seals.

For treatment, you need to soak a piece of gauze with oily liquid and apply it to your chest. To prevent the compress from moving, secure it with a bra. The procedure is performed at night, the compress is removed in the morning.

Perform castor oil compresses for 7-10 days to consolidate the results.

During the postpartum period, the risk of mastitis greatly increases. To prevent the development of the disease, listen to the advice of a specialist:

• follow the rules of breast care before and after feeding;
• express milk in a timely manner to prevent stagnation;
• do not injure the nipples and areolas, this will make it more difficult for bacteria to get inside;
• Treat your nipples daily with petroleum jelly or rosehip oil extract.

Try to prevent inflammation of the mammary glands as much as possible, then treatment will not be needed. To do this, visit your doctor regularly and protect your breasts from injury and hypothermia.

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And remember that camphor, honey, salt and other folk remedies are effective only in combination with drug therapy. Be healthy!

Non-lactation mastitis is a disease in which an inflammatory process occurs in the mammary gland. Unlike lactation mastitis, it has nothing to do with breastfeeding. That is why this pathology can develop in patients of absolutely any age.

Important! Most often, women who experience hormonal changes in their bodies experience non-lactation mastitis.

Causes

The most common causes of non-lactation mastitis include:

• excess estrogen and progesterone;
• decreased immunity;
• surgical intervention on the mammary gland;
• the presence of foci of infection in the body;
• severe single chest injuries or minor but permanent ones;
• hypothermia of the body;
• wearing the wrong bra;
• swimming in ponds with dirty water;
• deficiency of vitamins and minerals.

Important! Non-lactation mastitis never affects both mammary glands at once.

Signs

Symptoms of non-lactation mastitis in non-lactating women can vary greatly depending on the form of the disease: acute or chronic.

In the first case, the patient experiences severe pain in the mammary gland, which has no clear localization. The breast itself may turn red and become swollen. As the disease progresses, the pain moves to the armpit area. In this case, an increase in the size of the lymph nodes is often observed. Body temperature during acute mastitis often increases to 39 degrees, the patient complains of chills, weakness, dizziness, nausea and general malaise. Acute non-lactation mastitis requires urgent contact with a mammologist and surgeon.

The symptoms of mastitis in a non-breastfeeding woman, if the disease is chronic, are much less pronounced. The general condition in this case will be satisfactory. In the area of ​​inflammation, there may be retraction of the skin, under which there is a dense infiltrate.

If the disease begins to worsen, a woman may experience opening of the fistula tracts, from which pus will subsequently come out (non-lactation purulent mastitis). In some cases, fistula tracts open in the area of ​​the nipple and areola.

Important! Chronic non-lactation mastitis and breast cancer are very similar. That is why, at the first symptoms of pathology, you should not self-medicate, but immediately go to a qualified specialist.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of non-lactation mastitis can be carried out exclusively within the walls of a medical institution. Before visiting a doctor, the patient should stop taking any medications (except vital ones).

Diagnosis of pathology always begins with an examination of the patient, questioning and careful collection of her medical history. Before treating non-lactation mastitis, your doctor may prescribe:

• clinical blood test;
• gland puncture.

To confirm the diagnosis of non-lactation mastitis, a woman must undergo a series of studies. During the diagnosis, the doctor must not only confirm the fact of the presence of the disease, but also identify the reasons why it arose. Thanks to this, you can choose the most effective treatment method and prevent relapse.

Treatment methods

The choice of treatment for non-lactation mastitis depends on the causes of the disease, as well as the severity of the pathological process. In any case, treatment for mastitis in nulliparous women should begin as early as possible. In this case, you cannot use wait-and-see tactics, as with the lactation form of the disease. Otherwise, the woman may face dire consequences.

If the pathology occurs in a mild form, then the doctor may recommend the patient to use remedies made according to traditional medicine recipes, as well as homeopathic medicines.

The woman is required to be prescribed antibacterial medications. The choice of the most suitable one is made by the doctor based on the results of bacterial culture. After taking antibiotics, already on the 2-3rd day, signs of mastitis in a non-breastfeeding woman may partially or completely disappear. However, this does not mean that the course of treatment needs to be interrupted. The medication must be taken for 7-10 days, otherwise the woman will experience a relapse.

Important! Unfortunately, antibiotics negatively affect not only pathogenic bacteria, but also healthy human microflora. That is why, in order to avoid the development of dysbiosis, the patient must use probiotics throughout the entire course of treatment and for some time after it.

To eliminate pain from mastitis in a non-breastfeeding woman, analgesics can be used. To eliminate the inflammatory process, a specialist may prescribe drugs from the NSAID group.

Advice! To speed up the removal of toxins from the body and eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of non-lactation mastitis, the patient should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.

Severe cases of the disease may require surgical intervention. In this case, the surgeon opens the lesion, cleans it of pus and drains it.

Surgery for non-lactation mastitis is performed under general anesthesia or using local anesthesia (depending on the extent of the intended surgical intervention). At the end of the procedure, a suture is placed on the chest. In this case, special cosmetic threads are used, so a woman does not have to worry about scars forming on her breasts.

Important! In smoking patients, body tissues are much less saturated with oxygen than in those who lead a healthy lifestyle. This may negatively affect the wound healing process. Therefore, during treatment and during the rehabilitation period, it is better for a woman to give up the addiction.

After the basic treatment measures have been taken, the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs. Their choice is made based on the age, height, weight and phenotype of the woman. You need to take these medications for several months.

To prevent relapse, a specialist may prescribe immunostimulating medications, as well as vitamin and mineral complexes.

Prognosis and prevention

With timely treatment of non-lactation mastitis, the prognosis is quite favorable. However, if therapy is not started on time, the woman may face complications such as:

• abscesses of internal organs;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• transition to a chronic form (with acute mastitis in a non-breastfeeding woman);
• sepsis.

Prevention of the disease includes timely treatment of various diseases, implementation of measures aimed at strengthening the immune system, normalizing hormonal levels and preventing injuries to the mammary gland.

In addition, you need to go for preventive examinations to a mammologist. He will be able to detect the pathological process at the earliest stages, because he knows the symptoms and treatment of non-lactation mastitis in non-lactational mastitis better than other specialists.

Inflammation of the mammary gland, most often developing in women during lactation. However, it is possible that mastitis may occur on the eve of childbirth, during adolescence or childhood, and even in men.

Causes of mastitis for any categories of persons are as follows:

• cracked nipples;
• penetration of a bacterial agent into nipple cracks;
• virus carriage and its spread to the mammary gland;
• any purulent and chronic infections;
• anomalies of nipple development;
• the presence of concomitant extragenital pathology (skin pyoderma, lipid metabolism disorder, diabetes mellitus);
• structural changes in the mammary glands (mastopathy or scar changes);
• hypothermia and drafts;
• low socio-economic level of patients.

The risk group for the development of mastitis includes women who have had diseases of the mammary gland, as well as women in labor with purulent-septic complications that developed during childbirth. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are most susceptible to mastitis, and therefore for this group of women the following are called: mastitis development factors:

• insufficient compliance with the rules of personal and intimate hygiene;
• reduced immunoreactivity of the body;
• complicated childbirth;
• complicated course of the postpartum period and the development of wound infections, delayed involution of the uterus, thrombophlebitis;
• violation of hygiene and rules of breast care, in particular during pregnancy and lactation;
• insufficiency of the milk ducts in the mammary gland;
• impaired lactostasis and milk stagnation as a consequence;
• improper expression of milk.

Medical practice knows cases of the development of mastitis in newborns - the so-called neonatal mastitis. In infants, mammary glands swell when lactogenic hormones from the mother enter their body. The entry of hormones into the child’s body is likely through placental blood; the disease develops regardless of the sex of the child. This pathology usually does not require special medical intervention and goes away on its own.

Mastitis is distinguished by its course and origin.

The nature of the inflammatory process allows us to talk about lactation (in lactating women due to disturbances in the lactation process) and fibrocystic mastitis (develops regardless of the presence of lactation).

The course of mastitis allows us to call it:

• purulent,
• serous,
• infiltrative,
• abscess,
• gangrenous,
• non-lactating.

Symptoms of mastitis very specific. Their occurrence leaves no doubt that problems have arisen with breast health. This:

• pain syndrome localized in the chest and sometimes taking on intolerable forms;
• increased body temperature, sometimes up to 40°C;
• aching bones and headache, general malaise caused by acute inflammation;
• redness and swelling of one or both breasts;
• swelling of the nipples and discharge of purulent or bloody contents from them;
• breast hardening;
• difficulty in the outflow of milk, as well as impurities.

The initial stages of mastitis usually occur with mild symptoms - the temperature rises slightly and there is no severe pain. This is where the danger lies, since against the background of a latent process, which, hopefully, will go away on its own, there is a risk of developing an abscess, and the lesion can spread to the entire mammary gland with the subsequent development of hypogalactia. Hypogalactia is the cessation of milk production by the edematous mammary gland. The presence of an abscess makes the gland softer, but breastfeeding is extremely painful and the milk often contains pus. Violation of lactation only aggravates the inflammatory process.

How to treat mastitis?

The choice of treatment strategy for mastitis is determined by its nature, duration, and volume of affected tissue. In any case, the maximum effect is ensured due to an integrated approach to mastitis treatment.

If the doctor determines a borderline state between lactostasis and mastitis (the latter develops precisely as a result of milk stagnation), then the woman is recommended to be monitored over time and certainly use antiseptics. Subsequently, antiseptic drugs can be replaced with antibacterial or antiviral ones, however, in the case of mastitis development and after analysis of the sensitivity of the bacterial microflora to specific medicinal components.

Infectious forms of mastitis are treated exclusively with targeted antibiotics prescribed by a qualified specialist. Before prescriptions, the doctor conducts a bacterial culture of the flora, which makes it possible to determine the type and concentration of the pathogen (leukocytes in milk more than 106/ml and bacteria in milk more than 103 CFU/ml). The decision whether or not to continue breastfeeding while taking antibiotics is made solely by the attending physician.

Acute non-purulent mastitis is not an obstacle to breastfeeding, but you should absolutely not breastfeed if the milk contains pus.

In all cases, local application of cold, physiotherapy and immunomodulators, painkillers (and sometimes novocaine blockade) and anti-inflammatory ointments locally are additionally prescribed. It is necessary to pump every three hours, but this is contraindicated in case of an abscess.

When purulent bags form, they are opened surgically. An alternative may be to use a drainage technique - pus is pumped out through a needle or drain, the gland is washed, and only then antibacterial drugs are prescribed.

What diseases can it be associated with?

The development of mastitis occurs on the basis of lactostasis, which is the process of stagnation of milk in the breasts of a nursing woman. The cause of lactostasis can be both physiological or hormonal factors, as well as a violation of the feeding regime or systematically incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast.

Mastitis in the majority of cases is preceded by complications or infection and a natural decrease in immunity during this period.

Mastitis, among other things, can develop as a condition accompanying the following diseases:

• pyoderma of the skin,
• scar changes in the mammary gland,

Treating mastitis at home

Treatment of mastitis can occur at home, but in strict accordance with medical prescriptions. Self-medication of mastitis rarely leads to success, but only takes time and allows the pathological process to become more complicated.

In addition to taking medications and following other recommendations, it is useful to:

• drink a lot of liquid, in particular rosehip decoction, uzvara, warm non-mineral water;
• before feeding - apply warm wet compresses to the chest and dry heat to the neck and shoulders, which helps relieve spasm of the milk ducts and reduce breast swelling;
• After feeding, apply cold dry compresses to the breasts.

• apply the newborn to the breast correctly;
• breastfeed on demand, not according to a schedule;
• carefully observe personal hygiene and feeding hygiene;
• If cracks form, treat them promptly and correctly.

• limit the frequency and duration of feedings;
• express milk unnecessarily, that is, when the baby is sucking well;
• abruptly wean the child off the breast unless the doctor insists on it; For uncomplicated mastitis, feeding promotes recovery.

What medications are used to treat mastitis?

Antibiotics for oral administration:

• - on the first day, 500 mg is prescribed once, on days 2-5 - 250 mg per day or for 3 days, 500 mg once a day (course dose - 1.5 g);
• - the recommended dose for adults for intravenous and intramuscular administration is 300 mg 2 times a day, and for severe infection - 1.2-2.7 g per day in 3-4 doses;
• - 500 mg 3 times a day, for severe infections - 1 g 3 times a day; the maximum dose is 4 g per day;
• - the average daily dose ranges from 250-500 mg every 6 hours, but should not be less than 1-2 g per day; if necessary, can be increased to 4 g; The duration of treatment is 7-14 days.

To suppress lactation:

• - the average daily dose ranges from 5-10 mg, determined individually;
• - once on the first day after birth at a dose of 1 mg; to suppress existing lactation, take 250 mcg every 12 hours for two days;
• Quinagolide - once a day, before bedtime; initial dose - 25 mcg per day for 3 days, over the next 3 days - 50 mcg per day, from day 7 - 75 mcg per day; the average dose is 75-150 mcg per day.

Against pain and fever:

• - dosages are individual, the average daily dose should not exceed 1.2 g per day;
• - dosages are individual, the average daily dose ranges from 40-240 mg.

Antibacterial drugs for topical use: (rub, consult a doctor)

• Heliomycin,

Anti-inflammatory ointments for topical use: (rub, consult a doctor)

Treatment of mastitis with traditional methods

The use of folk remedies for mastitis treatment should be balanced and certainly discussed with the attending physician. Self-medication with pharmaceuticals and, especially, folk remedies is dangerous due to complications of the infectious and inflammatory process.

Today, the following recipes for folk remedies can be considered effective, but still require the attention of your doctor: mastitis treatment:

for oral administration

• 1 tbsp. Brew St. John's wort herb in 300 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour with a lid, then strain; take 3 times a day, 1/3 cup;
• 6 tbsp. Brew horse chestnut flowers in 1 liter of water, bring to a boil, leave overnight in a warm place (you can use a thermos), strain in the morning; take 1 sip every hour during the day;

for compresses and lotions

• in case of hardening or inflammation of the breast, it is necessary to apply a steam compress of 6-8 layers of fabric soaked in a very warm infusion of chamomile flowers, leave the compress for 20 minutes, and then be sure to express the stagnant milk;
• 3 tbsp. Brew St. John's wort herb with 3 cups of boiling water, keep on low heat for 10 minutes in a sealed container, when cool, strain; Wash the cracks in the nipples with the resulting decoction, and then lubricate them with St. John's wort oil, apply a dry compress of 4 layers of fabric for 6 hours;
• mix 1 raw yolk with 1 tsp. honey and 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, add rye flour until a thin dough forms; attach the resulting substance with gauze to the sore spots, change 2-3 times a day, you can leave it overnight;
• crush and moisten the seeds of the plantain with warm water and lubricate the inflamed mammary glands with the resulting substance.

• camphor oil (getting into milk makes it unsuitable for consumption by a child);
• alcohol (increases lactostasis).

Treatment of mastitis during pregnancy

During pregnancy, mastitis develops much less frequently than during lactation. However, a pregnant woman is still highly susceptible to negative factors and exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

The main difference between mastitis that develops during pregnancy is that with this disease, especially in its purulent forms, there is a real threat of infection of the embryo, and even the threat of termination of pregnancy.