Breast Abscesses are an extremely painful lump underneath your skin that can sometimes feel like a piece of flesh is sitting on your skin. They are often accompanied by swelling, redness, and general discomfort. A breast abscess is actually a cavity or inflamed, pus-filled pocket under your skin. Breast Abscesses are a common complication of breastfeeding, however, they can also be a side effect of mastitis, which is a bacterial infection of the breast caused by an overgrowth of yeast or other bacteria. These lumps are usually most common in younger women who are constantly lactating.
Women who are not breastfeeding can develop these conditions, though most symptoms are only seen in young women. Symptoms to watch for with breast infections include difficulty opening the abdomen, bruising, extreme pain, discharge, unusual odor, and extreme swelling or heaviness beneath the breasts. There are many different types of breast infections and different treatment methods, read on to learn more!
If you have any of these symptoms or if you believe you have a breast abscess, contact your local emergency physician immediately. Your doctor will most likely do an exam and take a culture to determine if there is any type of infection. Needle aspiration is usually done during the exam, and then your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for treatment.
Most antibiotics prescribed for infections of the breast are broad-spectrum, meaning that they are effective against a wide variety of bacteria. However, in some cases, antibiotics are either not effective or are ineffective against some types of bacteria. In these cases, your doctor may recommend that you receive an antibiotic by mouth in order to treat your infection. While antibiotics can help to reduce the signs and symptoms of breast abscesses, the treatment is usually not a long-term solution and will not prevent future infections from occurring.
Sometimes, women who suffer from mastitis or infection of the breast may develop symptoms of cystic fibrosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the lymphatic system. Cystic fibrosis is also known as a chronic lymphocytic syndrome or CFS. Women with cystic fibrosis are most at risk of developing infections of the breasts. Because cystic fibrosis is caused by excessive production of toxins in the body, it makes sense that products that increase toxins in the body could also promote symptoms of cystic fibrosis. If you think that you have a fungal infection such as candida, it is important to consult with your medical care provider to confirm that you really have a cystic fibrosis infection, and not a yeast or lactose intolerance.
Another common sign of infection in the breasts is abnormal white or yellow pus. You may notice that your nipples are becoming extremely tender when breastfeeding. Other symptoms of breast abscesses include extreme soreness, leaking, redness, pain, discharge, and pus.
In addition to infection, there are many other causes of cystic fibrosis or chronic mastitis. It is possible for a woman with cystic fibrosis to develop mastitis as well. Breastfeeding mothers are particularly vulnerable to developing the infection. It is very important that you check with your doctor if you notice any signs of mastitis while breastfeeding.
One thing to remember about cystic fibrosis or chronic mastitis is that the antibiotics used to treat the infections were not always effective. Your doctor may have prescribed antibiotics for your infection, but they did not work. Breastfeeding mothers can avoid the risks of infections by using holistic remedies such as garlic and motherwort. Both plants help to reduce inflammation and antibiotics do not destroy important digestive enzymes. To learn more about natural treatments for cystic fibrosis and other digestive ailments, register for a free health guidebook.
