Mastitis is an infection of the breast. It
usually only occurs in women who are breastfeeding their babies,
although in rare circumstances this condition can occur outside of
lactation.
Often, mastitis occurs within the first six weeks after birth
(postpartum), but it can happen later during breast-feeding. The
condition can leave you feeling exhausted and rundown, making it
difficult to care for your baby.
Types-
1. Puerperal mastitis
Puerperal mastitis is the inflammation of breast in connection with
pregnancy, breastfeeding or weaning. It is caused by blocked milk ducts
or milk excess. It is relatively common, estimates range depending on
methodology between 5-33%. However only about 0.4-0.5% of breastfeeding
mothers develop an abscess.
2. Nonpuerperal mastitis
The term nonpuerperal mastitis describes inflammatory lesions of the
breast occurring unrelated to pregnancy and breastfeeding. This article
includes description of mastitis as well as various kinds of mammary
abscesses. Skin related conditions like dermatitis and foliculitis are
a separate entity.
Names for non-puerperal mastitis are not used very consistently and
include Mastitis, Subareolar Abscess, Duct Ectasia, Periductal
Inflammation, Zuska's Disease and others.
Causes-
Mastitis occurs when bacteria enter your breast through a break or
crack in the skin of your nipple or through the opening to the milk
ducts in your nipple. Bacteria from your skin's surface and baby's
mouth enter the milk duct and can multiply - leading to pain, redness
and swelling of the breast as infection progresses.
Symptoms-
1.Swelling of breast.
2.Pain in the breast continuously or while feeding.
3.Tenderness of breast.
4.Warm to touch
5.Skin redness often in a wedge shaped pattern.
6.Fever
7.General malaise.
Risk factors-
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