Does acute mastitis have lumps?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Mastitis involves inflammation, and severe cases can lead to inflammatory lumps. Generally, we use breast ultrasonography for diagnosis and differentiation. If the ultrasonography report indicates a cystic formation, it is typically considered to be caused by the accumulation of milk. At this point, ceasing breastfeeding and seeking massage from a professional or a loved one to clear the accumulated milk can be curative. If the ultrasonography report shows an inflammatory hard lump or a solid mass, we recommend stopping breastfeeding and starting anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. If the lump shows signs of shrinking, continue the anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. However, if there is no change in the inflammatory lump, surgical treatment is recommended to remove the inflamed mass.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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Acute mastitis occurs how long after childbirth?

Acute mastitis can occur a few weeks after childbirth, usually within the first two to three weeks, although it can also appear later during the breastfeeding period. The key issue is to maintain the flow of breast milk and the patency of the milk ducts during breastfeeding. It is recommended to wash both nipples before breastfeeding, let the baby completely empty one breast first, then move on to the second breast. If the baby is full and doesn't finish the milk from the other breast, it's best to empty that breast either by using a breast pump or having the father extract the milk. For the next feeding, start with the other breast, which was the second breast previously used, and alternate accordingly. Additionally, nipple care is important; after the baby has finished feeding, express a little milk and apply it on the nipple surface. Before the next feeding, wash the nipple with clean water more diligently. This can help reduce the occurrence of acute mastitis.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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Acute mastitis infusion for several days

Acute mastitis usually does not require intravenous fluids unless there is an accompanying fever, a significant increase in white blood cells, and obvious local redness, swelling, and pain in the breast. At this time, intravenous antibiotic therapy can be considered, generally for five to seven days, but once the white blood cells normalize and the local acute swelling subsides, consideration can be given to stopping the treatment. Of course, when acute mastitis is complicated by an abscess, the abscess requires separate treatment, usually by a specialist making a small incision or using a thick syringe needle to repeatedly aspirate the pus; the best method is certainly to aspirate the pus through a small incision. In such cases, the duration of intravenous fluid use may be appropriately increased.

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Written by Cui Yu Rong
Breast Surgery
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Acute Mastitis Etiology

Acute mastitis generally refers to lactational mastitis, which can occur at any time during lactation, but is more common in the beginning stages of lactation in primiparous women. The most common causes of acute mastitis are milk stasis and bacterial invasion. Therefore, the prevention of acute mastitis mainly targets these two aspects. Besides enhancing the immune system of the mother, it is crucial to maintain good breastfeeding habits. This includes cleaning the nipples and the baby's mouth before and after feeding, keeping the nipple area clean, minimizing damage to the nipple area, and controlling bacterial invasion.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can acute mastitis be treated with hot compresses?

Acute mastitis can be treated with hot compresses, which can reduce local pain, dilate the milk ducts, and facilitate the expulsion of milk. To completely cure mastitis, it is essential to visit a hospital for examination. Under a doctor's guidance, taking antibacterial drugs for anti-infection treatment is recommended. For women who are breastfeeding, the priority in treating mastitis is to empty the breast milk first; thereafter, taking antibacterial drugs for anti-infection treatment is advisable. For severe cases of mastitis, it may be necessary to perform puncture aspiration or incision and drainage to achieve optimal treatment results. Patients with mastitis should pay attention to their diet and eat lightly in daily life, avoiding particularly greasy foods. It is advisable to eat light meals, vegetables, and fruits.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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The causes of acute mastitis

The main causes of mastitis are as follows: First, the accumulation of milk is due to improper breastfeeding techniques or incidental contact with the mammary glands by the child, which causes the milk ducts to close and ultimately leads to the accumulation of milk. Milk is an ideal culture medium that facilitates bacterial growth, leading to mastitis. Second, bacterial invasion occurs when there are cracks or abrasions on the nipple, allowing bacteria to travel along the milk ducts to reach and infect the mammary lobules. Lastly, a decrease in the patient's own immune system can also lead to bacterial infection.