Breast abscess

• Breast pain, tenderness, redness or hardness.
• Fever and chills.
• A general ill feeling.
• Tender lymph glands in the underarm area.

Bacteria that enter the breast through the nipple (usually a cracked nipple during the early days of breastfeeding).

• Postpartum pelvic infection.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Use of steroid medications.
• Heavy cigarette smoking.
• Lumpectomy with radiation.
• Silicone implants.

• Clean the nipples and breasts thoroughly before and after nursing.
• Lubricate the nipples after nursing with vitamin A & D ointment or other topical medication if recommended.
• Avoid clothing that irritates the breasts.
• Don't allow a nursing infant to chew nipples.

Usually curable in 8 to 10 days with treatment. Draining the abscess is occasionally necessary to hasten healing.

• It is rarely necessary to discontinue breast-feeding even with severe infection. Occasionally, certain antibiotics (especially tetracycline) and pain relievers will require that breast-feeding be discontinued for a brief period of time, and it will be necessary to pump the breasts.
• Rarely, a fistula (abnormal passage between two organs or between the body and the outside) may develop.

• Use warm-water (or cold water if it is more soothing) soaks to relieve pain and hasten healing.
• Discontinue nursing the baby from the infected breast until it heals. Use a breast pump to express milk regularly from the infected breast until you can resume nursing on that side.
• Surgery to drain the abscess (infrequent).

• You or a family member has symptoms of a breast abscess.
• Any of the following occur during treatment:
  • Fever.
  • Pain becomes severe.
  • Infection seems to be spreading, despite treatment.
  • Symptoms don't improve in 72 hours.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.