As discussed in the Emergency
Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with mastitis. Mastitis is an infection in the breast tissue
that most commonly occurs in breastfeeding women. It usually involves significant swelling as
an infection occurs in the breast ducts that drain milk.
Mastitis can occur in the
setting of inflammation and obstruction of breast ducts without infection, but
it is more commonly associated with a bacterial infection. Bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus)
commonly enter through a crack or break in the skin or nipple. In many cases the bacteria causing mastitis
is from the mouth of the breastfeeding infant.
It is important that you
continue to breastfeed through mastitis, as this will help drain blocked breast
ducts and decrease inflammation and swelling.
Your infant is extremely unlikely to catch this infection by continuing
to breastfeed and the benefits of breast milk far outweigh any risks. If you choose not to breastfeed your infant,
it is important that you continue to pump breast milk to at least promote
drainage.
Make sure that you take
your prescribed antibiotics as directed, for the full course (don’t stop
early).
Acetaminophen (also known
as Tylenol) an over-the-counter medication can assist with discomfort, and is
safe to take while breastfeeding according to the dosing instructions on the
package. You can also massage the breast
after feedings to help decrease swelling.
You can also apply ice to the breast after feedings for about 10 minutes
to help with discomfort and swelling.
Return to the Emergency Department if the pink or red area on the breast is not smaller by day
two after starting antibiotics, you see a red streak going up the breast after
starting antibiotics, drainage of pus or foul smelling fluid from the nipple,
you develop a new fever (≥38.0 °C or 100.4 °F) or a fever that hasn’t resolved
by day two of antibiotics, or for any new or concerning symptoms.
No comments:
Post a Comment