Does acute mastitis require infusion?

Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 13, 2024
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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 Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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Does acute mastitis require weaning?

In most cases of acute mastitis, it is not necessary to wean. However, weaning is mandatory when acute mastitis is accompanied by high fever, abscess, or nipple ulceration. Other than these conditions, it is often sufficient to temporarily stop breastfeeding from the inflamed breast for a few days. After treatment, breastfeeding can usually continue. During this temporary cessation, the milk from the affected breast should be expressed and discarded. Breastfeeding can continue with the other breast. Therefore, weaning is not easily recommended for acute mastitis.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Acute Mastitis Symptoms and Treatment

Patients with mastitis often feel pain in the breast, with localized redness, swelling, and fever. As the inflammation progresses, there can be chills, high fever, and increased pulse rate, often accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes on the affected side. A routine blood test can show a significant increase in white blood cells. For treatment, if there is swelling, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding and apply topical Levofloxacin. Blood tests should be checked, and if white blood cell count exceeds 10,000, intravenous antibiotics are advised. If below 10,000, oral anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken for symptomatic treatment. After three days, recheck the blood routine to decide on further symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Can acute mastitis continue breastfeeding?

Acute mastitis is an acute suppurative infection, which can be divided into three stages according to its cause and pathological process: acute inflammatory stage, abscess formation stage, and ulceration stage. Corresponding treatments are applied at each stage. During the acute inflammatory phase, antibiotics such as penicillin should be used to control the progression of inflammation. Once an abscess forms, the main measure is to incise and drain pus in a timely manner, while also taking medicine to clear heat and detoxify. In the ulceration stage, proactive dressing changes and wound cleaning are necessary, along with internal use of heat-clearing and detoxifying medications, and decoctions that promote pus drainage. In principle, breastfeeding should be temporarily halted, and a breast pump should be used regularly to extract milk, ensuring smooth milk flow and preventing stasis. Additionally, wearing a supportive bra can help lift the breasts, and moist heat should be applied to the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times a day. Afterwards, the nipples should be cleaned with diluted saltwater. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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How should acute mastitis be treated?

Firstly, it is essential to prevent the accumulation of milk and avoid damage to the nipples while keeping them clean. After each breastfeeding, wash the nipples with soap. If the nipples are inverted, frequently squeeze and pull them to correct this. It is important to establish a regular breastfeeding schedule to prevent the baby from sleeping without releasing the nipple. Each breastfeeding session should drain the milk completely; if there is any accumulation, massage or use a breast pump to extract all the milk. After breastfeeding, clean the nipples. If there is any damage or cracking on the nipples, timely treatment is necessary. For the care of the baby's oral cavity, local heat application and massage can be provided.

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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.