What is mastitis?
Mastitis is inflammation of the breast that usually occurs due to an infection. Approximately 10% of breastfeeding women in the United States are affected, often during the early weeks after giving birth. Mastitis can also occur at other times of life, causing painful, swollen breasts.
When to see a doctor
In some cases, you can treat mastitis at home. Try to massage your breast and apply a warm or cold compress to the sore area. However, if your symptoms do not improve within 24 hours or get worse, talk to your doctor. Without treatment, a painful breast abscess can form.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have an infection in both breasts, red streaks, pus or blood in your milk, sudden, severe symptoms, or a painful lump.
Mastitis symptoms
Mastitis ranges from a mild breast infection to a condition that makes you tired and run-down, with flu-like symptoms.
At first, mastitis can feel like a plugged milk duct, causing sore, tender breasts. However, you might also have a fever, chills and aches all over your body.
Other symptoms of mastitis include:
- Breasts that feel tender and warm or hot
- Burning sensation while breastfeeding
- Discharge from your nipple
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling or pain in your breast (mastalgia)
- A red, triangular or wedge-shaped, tender area on the breast
Typically, only one breast is affected. Even if you have symptoms, you should continue to feed your baby as usual.
What causes mastitis?
In breastfeeding women, mastitis is often triggered by milk buildup in the breast, a condition known as milk stasis. This buildup can block milk ducts and lead to infection.
- Blocked milk ducts: Blocked or clogged milk ducts can lead to limited or restricted milk flow, preventing it from draining fully from your breast. You may develop clogged ducts if your baby does not feed well, you skip feedings or you wear tight-fitting bras or breast pads.
- Bacterial infection: Bacteria from the skin or baby's mouth can enter the milk ducts through a crack in the nipple or a duct opening. This can lead to infection, especially if milk remains in the breast and isn't fully emptied.
How is mastitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and check your breasts for tenderness and swelling.
If you are not breastfeeding, your doctor might order other tests such as an ultrasound, MRI, diagnostic mammogram or biopsy.
Find specialized care for mastitis
We help you get care for mastitis at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations in North and Central Texas, including specialized maternity and postpartum care centers.
