Breast Infection: from Symptoms to Treatments

A breast infection, or also known as mastitis, is an is a regional infection of the breast. It is commonly caused by the woman’s skin flora or the oral flora of breastfeeding infants. A breast infection is a condition most typical of breastfeeding women: bacteria from a baby’s mouth enter an erosion or cracked nipple and infects the breasts. The fatty tissue of the breast is typically affected, and it causes swelling and lump in breasts that hurt. Most of the breast infections are connected with breastfeeding or clogged milk ducts, but still, there is a small percentage of breast infection associated with some rarer types of breast cancer. So, there are two types of mastitis: lactational and non-lactational mastitis.

How the breast is built?

The main building parts of the female breast are nipple, lactiferous sinus, lobules, ducts, and stroma. The lobules are glands that are producing the milk. After being produced, the milk passes through the ducts. The ducts connect the lobules and the nipple. Stroma represents a fatty tissue that surrounds the ducts and lobules, lymphatic and blood vessels.

An adult woman has around 20 lobes in each breast. One lobe is built from 20 to 50 lobules. The ducts are attached to the lobules. Smaller ducts join together into the increasingly larger duct. Each breast has around 10 ducts systems, and each duct has its own popping at the nipple.

There is also muscle tissue present in the nipples. The muscle tissue allows the nipples to become erect in response to stimulation or breastfeeding. With the help of the muscle tissue found around the lobules, the milk is squeezed into the ducts.

What are the most common medical conditions affecting the breast?

Inflammatory breast cancer is one of the most common medical conditions affecting the breast. This type of cancer occurs when abnormal cells found in the breast start to divide and multiply quickly and without control. These abnormal cells then clog the lymphatic vessels that are part of the lymphatic system which is responsible to remove waste and toxins from the body. Clogging the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast causes red and swollen skin that is often painful to the touch. It may take even up to several weeks for the breast changes to occur.

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer are:

Symptoms of a breast infection

For lactational mastitis the symptoms are usually unilateral and appear 2-4 weeks postpartum. They include:

• Diffusely tender, and firm breasts particularly at the time of engorgement or milk letdown
• Warm breast
• Palpable mass
• Pain or burning sensation while breastfeeding. 

Non-lactational mastitis symptoms: 

How can I prevent breast infections?

You are breastfeeding your baby, here are some tips that will help you reduce the chances of having a breast infection:

• Try to empty at least one breast while feeding each time. Use clips if you can't remember which breast was last.
• Learn about the alarming postpartum symptoms .
• Don't get nervous or stressed if you're late or feeding.
• Try to follow a certain schedule for feeding.
• Don't use soap or other chemical product for cleaning the nipple. Remember that the areola has the self-cleaning ability and lubricates by itself.
• Add saturated fat in your daily diet in order to help reduce the risk of developing reoccurring plugged ducts.
• Massage your breasts, especially if you are feeling a painful breast lump.
• Try different positions for breastfeeding your baby. The baby is most efficient at draining ducts while being in the direction where the chin is pointing.