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Mastitis - Psychology, Special Needs, Health - Posted: 17th May, 2007 - 12:15am
Posts: 3 - Views: 833
Mastitis
Well, this is the latest with me. It seems like I have mastitis based on the description! 
The most painful part is that they recommend that you keep breastfeeding from the same breast that hurts you so much. Did you ever have it? How did you deal with it?
| QUOTE |
| What is it? Mastitis (mas-TEYE-tis) is an infection of the breast. Puerperal (pu-ER-per-al) mastitis is an infection that may happen to women that breast feed their babies. Puerperal mastitis can happen after you begin breast feeding. Puerperal means the time from when you give birth to your baby, and to up to six weeks after. Most of the time only one breast is affected. What causes mastitis? A germ called bacteria usually causes mastitis. Bacteria enter the body through a break or crack in the skin of your breast or nipple. A plugged milk tube or not emptying the breasts of milk completely may also cause mastitis. Using certain creams on your breast may also cause mastitis. If you have had mastitis before, you are more likely to have it again. Because the infection is in the breast tissue and not in your milk, you can usually continue to breast feed your baby while you are being treated for mastitis. What are the signs and symptoms of mastitis? Engorgement (breast swelling right before you breast feed) may happen before you get signs of puerperal mastitis. You may have the following signs and symptoms of mastitis: * A small cut in the nipple or the areola (dark area around the nipple). * Breast tenderness with redness, swelling, or hardness in one area of the breast. * Chills and fever. * Tenderness under your arm. * The breast may also feel hot or itch. What may be done to treat mastitis? Your baby will not be affected by your having a breast infection. This is because human milk has special ingredients that will protect your baby. Continuing to breast feed when you have mastitis may help speed recovery. |
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Mastitis
Oh, yes! Hurts, doesn't it? Oh, my gosh!
You may not have full-blown mastitis but just a clogged duct. Try to massage the hard areas - I know it's painful, but you don't want it to get infected, right? Be sure to drink plenty of water, and use a cool compress to reduce the swelling.
Yes, continue to nurse the baby, because otherwise the breast will continue to swell and more milk will build up behind the clogged duct. It's painful and horrible, but to prevent the actual infection of mastitis (and have to go to the doctor and take antibiotics etc.) this is the best course - physically unclogging the duct with massage and nursing.
Good luck!
TOPIC: Mastitis