Mastitis in a nursing mother: causes, symptoms and treatments

Quite often, doctors are faced with the fact that lactational mastitis develops in a nursing mother. This is a very dangerous problem that requires immediate treatment. In the absence of therapy in the tissues of the breast, purulent inflammation can begin, from which it is no longer possible to get rid by only conservative methods.

Mastitis in nursing mothers and its underlying causes

In women, mastitis can develop for various reasons. But in nursing mothers such a disease occurs, as a rule, against the backdrop of milk stagnation. Quite often parents practice feeding their baby by the clock, and sometimes their mother needs to go somewhere. Just one or two missed feeding leads to stagnation of milk, as a result of which the milk ducts are squeezed, and the nipples are retracted.

Lactostasis (milk congestion) is accompanied by nagging and soreness of the breast. During feeding, the woman experiences pain and discomfort. But after the mammary gland is released from the secret, these unpleasant feelings go away.

If you leave lactose without attention (do not express milk, refuse breast massage), then mastitis may develop. Such a disease is caused by pathogenic microorganisms, for example, staphylococci, which without problems penetrate into the breast tissue through the cracks and wounds on the nipples.

Mastitis in a nursing mother and its main symptoms

In fact, mastitis is accompanied by very characteristic symptoms:

• At the beginning of the disease the woman feels constant swelling and pain in the chest, especially when feeding the baby or during the expressing of milk;
• Suppuration in the tissues of the breast is accompanied, as a rule, by fever, weakness, dizziness. To feed the child in this state is no longer possible.

At the first suspicions on a mastitis it is necessary to address to the doctor who precisely will put the diagnosis and will appoint or nominate treatment.

Mastitis in a nursing mother: treatment and diagnosis

In order to diagnose, the doctor will prescribe a blood test (he will show the presence of inflammation and infection), as well as the study of breast milk, which will make it possible to identify the pathogen and its sensitivity to one or another antibiotic.

At the initial stages of mastitis in a nursing mother treated conservatively - the woman is prescribed antibiotics. Sometimes it is necessary and antispasmodics, which facilitate the outflow of milk and pus from the gland. Of course, anesthetics and antipyretic drugs are used. It will be useful to massage, contributing to the outflow of fluid and the constant decantation of milk.

If the purulent process has begun in the gland tissues, then a surgical operation is necessary, during which the abscess is opened and thoroughly washed.

Treatment of mastitis with folk remedies

Fortunately, there are folk methods of treating mastitis. For example, you can attach a fresh cabbage leaf to the breast, which perfectly relieves pain. Some experts recommend applying a piece of tea fungus to the skin. But in any case, remember that in this situation, you can not use warming and hot compresses without doctor's recommendations, especially if there is a purulent process. And do not give up the advice of a specialist, since folk recipes can not always replace a full-fledged medical aid.