The main causes and signs of mastitis
Acute inflammation of the breast, called mastitis, often occurs in women in the postpartum period or in the puberty of girls. This disease causes staphylococci or streptococci entering the mammary gland from the outside, through cracks and abrasions on the nipples, or from an infectious focus that is in the body( for example, furuncles, eczema, tonsillitis, etc.).In this case, every woman should know the causes and signs of mastitis so that when the first symptoms appear, you can seek help, because if you start the disease, you will most likely have to treat it with a surgical procedure.
This disease can appear in newborns, and, regardless of gender. Swelling of the breast in a baby is associated with the transition in his body of hormones, increasing lactation, from the mother's body. In most cases, treatment is not required here, and everything goes on its own for several days.
Most often, mastitis appears in nursing mothers, especially if the baby is first. The causes can be incorrect application of the baby to the breast, damage to the nipples, poor permeability of the milk ducts. Also, this disease can lead to non-compliance with hygienic norms, dirty laundry.
In addition, the disease can develop and in connection with factors not associated with lactation, for example, due to violations of the endocrine system or injury. In such cases it is required to consult the surgeon as soon as possible as soon as the first signs of mastitis have appeared. Most likely, only a small hormonal correction or treatment with antibiotics is needed.
One of the main symptoms that makes it possible to diagnose mastitis is aching pain in the chest, the appearance of a seal that is well palpated by the hands. Gradually, redness appears in this place, it becomes hot. In most cases, this disease is accompanied by an increased body temperature, which can reach 40 degrees. Possible an increase in lymph nodes located in the armpits.
Other signs of mastitis are headache and slight chills. It is necessary to consider all symptoms in a complex way. At the first suspicion of this disease, it is important to immediately seek medical advice from a doctor, since after pus appears, you will most likely have to be treated surgically. To confuse this disease with catarrhal or viral infections is rather difficult, because the main symptom is swelling of the breast and the appearance of inflammation in it. Temperature and headache are only protective reactions of the body.
If a woman has signs of mastitis, then you should not panic too much. With timely access for help, you may need only medication. The surgeon will prescribe a course of antibiotics, which have a disastrous effect on the microorganisms that cause the disease. Doing self-categorically is not recommended, because a woman can not only harm herself, but her child. During treatment, an additional pumping is performed, which allows a woman at least temporarily to get rid of a feeling of heaviness in her chest.
Prevention of the disease is fairly simple, and if it is also timely, then there should be no question "what to do with mastitis."In addition to maintaining hygiene during lactation, it is necessary to monitor the correct attachment of the baby to the breast. After the baby finishes eating, the remaining milk is better to decant, especially in the first months. Also it is necessary to avoid chest injuries. Cracks and abrasions are the most favorable conditions for getting into the body of harmful microbes that cause infections. It is necessary to try to do everything so that they do not appear. If this still could not be avoided, it is recommended to treat them with creams and ointments for disinfection and early healing( a cream containing panthenol may be suitable here).