Mastitis is a common condition in lactating women. It can be caused by too tight clothing, missed feeds, poor drainage of the alveoli, or an infection. It usually affects only one breast at a time and causes pain, hardening, and redness. This can make breastfeeding and sucking milk very uncomfortable, leading some women to stop breastfeeding altogether. If you have mastitis, there are many things you can do to treat it. First, consult your doctor, as this condition can lead to infections that require medical attention. Afterward, follow your doctor's directions to take care of yourself and keep the pain under control.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Call your doctor right away if you think you have mastitis
This pathology requires proper diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, it can worsen and lead to a serious whole body infection, which will require hospitalization. Call your doctor if you notice symptoms of mastitis, including:
- Flu symptoms.
- Fever.
- A red, painful, hard lump on the breast.
- Pain in the whole body.
- Chills.
- Tachycardia.
- General malaise.
- Red stripes and shiny skin on the chest.
- Burning sensation while breastfeeding or in other situations.
- White discharge from the nipples, in some cases stained with blood.
Step 2. Ask your doctor for a diagnostic test
If you suspect that you have mastitis, your doctor will be able to carry out diagnostic tests to correctly identify your health problem. Generally, a diagnosis of mastitis requires analysis of your clinical history, a physical exam, and a diagnostic test, such as a culture or sensitivity test.
Often the diagnosis can be made without requiring a complete culture
Step 3. Take antibiotics for as long as required
Your doctor will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics to clear the infection. Avoid stopping taking your medications, even if you start to feel better. If you don't finish your period, it will become more difficult to treat infections in the future.
- Antibiotics that are most often prescribed for mastitis include dicloxacillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and cephalexin. Take them for 10-14 days, as directed by your doctor. If the first course of antibiotics does not clear the infection, your doctor may prescribe a more potent one.
- A small amount of the antibiotic could end up in breast milk. Consult your doctor or nurse and ask if the drug is safe for breastfeeding. In many cases, the antibiotic will only cause liquid stools in the newborn, but the problem should resolve on its own at the end of the course of treatment.
Step 4. Get an ultrasound test to rule out an abscess
In some cases, mastitis can worsen and generate an abscess in the chest. When this happens, the doctor may be forced to drain and irrigate the abscess. If the doctor suspects this problem he may request an ultrasound examination of your breasts to check.
Method 2 of 3: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Breastfeed your baby as often as possible
Maintaining frequent flow of milk through the breasts helps to clear the infection and reduce discomfort. Feed your baby whenever you can, always starting with the diseased breast. Don't worry, your milk is safe for your baby even when you have an infection.
- If you are unable to breastfeed, suck the milk with a pump or by hand.
- Proper positioning while breastfeeding is also important to ensure your breasts are emptied completely. Ask your doctor, nurse, or breastfeeding counselor how to position your baby correctly when you are breastfeeding.
Step 2. Get plenty of sleep and rest
To recover from mastitis, rest is essential. If possible, take a few days off from work and sleep more. Ask your partner to take care of the household chores that are usually your responsibility, at least until you feel better. You can also ask a trusted relative or friend to help you care for your baby so you can rest during the day.
Step 3. Drink lots of water
Being well hydrated helps your body fight infection and allows you to be able to feed your baby. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Step 4. Use over-the-counter pain relievers
Mastitis can cause a lot of pain, but you can usually manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tachipirina) and ibuprofen (Brufen). Follow the instructions on the package to decide the dosage or ask your doctor for advice.
Do not take aspirin while breastfeeding. This drug enters breast milk and is not safe for your baby
Method 3 of 3: Relieve Breast Pain
Step 1. Take hot showers
Warm water will give you a nice feel on your breasts and can help clear blocked ducts. Take a hot shower every day and let the water run over your breasts.
You can also take a warm bath and soak your breasts in water to relieve pain
Step 2. Apply warm compresses
Warm compresses help relieve breast pain throughout the day and clear blocked ducts. Take a clean cloth and hold it under warm running water. Then squeeze it to get rid of the excess water, then place it over the part of your breast that hurts. Let the tablet act until it has cooled down. Repeat throughout the day as needed.
Step 3. Place a kale leaf inside the bra
The cold, raw leaves of kale help relieve the discomfort of enlarged breasts by making them less swollen. Take a cabbage and peel off one of the leaves, then insert it into the bra to wrap around the breasts. Leave it on until it warms up and repeat the treatment as needed.
Step 4. Wear loose fitting clothing
Bras and tight shirts irritate your already sore breasts even more. Opt for large, comfortable blouses, tops, and bras when you have mastitis.
