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:
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