The causes of acute mastitis

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 07, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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Does acute mastitis require infusion?

In cases of acute mastitis, the specific situation must be considered. If it is a simple case of acute mastitis without a significant abscess, without particularly high white blood cell counts, and without pronounced fever, then it is not necessarily required to administer IV fluids. Local applications of magnesium sulfate compresses can be used, and in colder weather, these can be heated for a warm compress. Alternatively, traditional Chinese medicine such as Jin Huang powder can be applied externally and is often sufficient to resolve the issue. However, if the acute mastitis is accompanied by an increase in neutrophilic leukocytes, which requires verification through blood tests, and systemic symptoms such as fever and pain, then antibiotic treatment is necessary, typically administered through IV or orally, though IV is often faster. When acute mastitis is complicated by a breast abscess, not only is IV treatment needed, but also procedures for abscess drainage or incision and drainage. Currently, many minimally invasive methods for draining abscesses and other treatments are employed.

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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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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The causes of acute mastitis include

The causes of mastitis are firstly bacterial invasion and secondly the accumulation of milk. The accumulation of milk mainly occurs during breastfeeding, due to the position of holding the child or unintentional bumps by the child, which cause damage to the milk ducts, constriction of the ducts, leading to a large amount of milk being trapped inside the ducts. Since milk is an excellent culture medium, it results in bacterial growth. Bacterial invasion usually occurs through cracked or fissured nipples, allowing bacteria to enter the milk ducts and into the breast tissue, causing mastitis. Another situation is a decrease in the body's immune system, for example, due to poor sleep or emotional stress. These are the main causes of acute mastitis.

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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 first cause is milk stasis, which occurs when, due to incorrect positioning during nursing or breastfeeding, a child inadvertently causes the milk ducts to close, leading to a significant accumulation of milk within these ducts. The milk inside the ducts provides an excellent medium for bacterial growth. The second cause is bacterial invasion, mainly through cracks and fissures in the nipple. Bacteria enter the milk ducts through these fissures or breaks, causing inflammation. The third cause is a decrease in the body's immune function, for example due to severe mental stress or lack of sleep. All of these are the primary causes of acute mastitis.