Mastitis (breast inflammation)
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that occurs most commonly in breast-feeding women; it can be related to tissue injury, infection, or both. Breast-feeding mastitis is typically caused by breast engorgement (overfilling), a blocked milk duct, or cracked skin on a woman's nipples that allows bacteria to enter.
Signs of infection may include:
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in an area on a breast.
- Red streaks extending from a breast.
- Drainage of pus coming from a breast.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit.
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever of 100 F or higher, chills, and fatigue.
Treatment usually involves antibiotic medications, keeping up milk flow, and measures to relieve discomfort. Most women can safely continue to breast-feed or pump breast milk while being treated.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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