Breast Abscess: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

A breast abscess is a painful pus-filled accumulation in the breast. Breast abscesses are a common consequence of mastitis. Mastitis is an infection that causes swelling and pain in the breasts. Breastfeeding mothers are the ones who are most affected by this condition.

Breast abscesses are caused by the following:

1. Breast infections, known as mastitis, are the most common cause of breast abscess. Mastitis is an inflammatory condition that affects your breast tissue, specifically the milk ducts and glands. This condition commonly occurs in breastfeeding women.
2. Entry of bacteria through a sore or cracked nipple, or a nipple piercing, can cause breast abscess in women who aren’t breastfeeding.
3. Breast abscesses can also occur when the nipple ducts get blocked due to scarring.

Swollen and painful breast

1. Breast that is hot to touch
2. Pus or discharge from the nipple
3. An inverted nipple
4. Chills
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. High body temperature or fever

Diagnosis of breast abscess is made by the following:

Patient history

1. Typically, you would describe breast pain, warmth, erythema (skin redness), and even swelling in your breasts.
2. You may submit information about the breastfeeding history.
3. The doctor will also inquire about any previous breast infections and their treatment.
4. Your medical history, such as diabetes, should be disclosed to the doctor.

Clinical examination

A physical examination will be used to make a diagnosis by the doctor.

Investigations

1. If your doctor suspects you have a breast abscess, an aspiration of the lump may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. In such a case, a needle is inserted into the swollen area to see if the lump is filled with pus.
2. Your doctor may also recommend a breast ultrasound scan to confirm whether the discomfort and swelling are due to an abscess

Treatment

The various treatment methods are as follows:

Home remedies

1. Warm and moist compresses can be applied to the affected breast tissue.
2. In case of pus drainage from the infected breast, gently wash the nipple and allow it to air dry before re-wearing your bra.
3. To help with the swelling and pain, you can apply an ice or cold pack to your breasts for 10-15 minutes. If you're nursing, do this in the intervals between feedings.
4. Massage your entire breast from the outer border to the nipple when you feed to encourage milk flow and relieve clogged milk ducts.

Medications

1. Pain and fever can be alleviated with painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. These medications are deemed safe for nursing moms to take.
2. Antibiotics, to fight off the infection, maybe prescribed before or after the draining of breast abscesses

Surgical options

1. The basic therapy for a breast abscess is to drain the pus from the abscess.
2. Your doctor may use the following methods to drain the abscess:
3. Needle aspiration: In this method, a needle is inserted into the target area, and the pus is sucked out.
4. Incision and drainage: This involves making a small incision over the fluid-filled lump and draining it completely.

The benefits of Breast Abscess treatment include:

1. Respite from the pain in the abscess area
2. The chances of Mastitis decrease