Can I take cephalosporin to reduce inflammation if my breast is blocked?

Many women will encounter blocked breast ducts during breastfeeding. In this case, women are very likely to develop mastitis. For patients with mastitis, timely anti-inflammatory treatment is very necessary, and taking cephalosporin can reduce inflammation. In addition to anti-inflammatory treatment, there are many other more effective treatments for patients with mastitis. Below, we will introduce you to the relevant knowledge about mastitis in detail.

1. Causes

Milk stasis is the prelude and basis of bacterial infection. If there is too much milk and milk discharge is not smooth, the milk may accumulate and form lumps. Stagnant milk is the best breeding ground for bacteria. Milk stasis is mostly caused by insufficient breastfeeding experience or improper methods. The pathogenic bacteria are mostly Staphylococcus aureus, and a few are hemolytic Streptococci. They invade the mammary gland through damaged nipple skin or milk ducts, multiply in large numbers, and destroy the mammary gland tissue, forming multilocular abscesses. When the nipple is underdeveloped, inverted, inverted or split, the mammary ducts are blocked from draining milk, causing congestion. Breastfeeding for too long, or the child falling asleep with the breast in his mouth, can cause erosion on the nipple surface or the child bites the nipple, allowing bacteria to enter through the hole; or due to a cold or pharyngitis, bacteria may travel through the blood into the stagnant milk and multiply in large numbers, causing suppuration.

Postpartum women are weak in physical condition and have reduced immunity. They are wrapped too tightly, sweat a lot, and are not cleaned enough, resulting in local moisture in the breasts, which also provide a breeding ground for the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Trauma to the breasts such as squeezing and impact during lactation can also easily induce mastitis.

2. Inspection

Acute mastitis can usually be diagnosed by clinical observation and palpation. The most commonly used test is blood count, which can detect elevated white blood cells or neutrophils. Color Doppler ultrasound can determine the location and size of the abscess cavity. During puncture or incision, a small amount of pus is taken for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test to provide guidance for the use of antibiotics.

Treatment

Acute mastitis should be treated as early as possible. Early mastitis is mainly characterized by milk stasis inflammation, which has not yet formed into pus. Ultrashort wave therapy can be used, and the effect is better when combined with traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Milk discharge usually disappears within a week by using traditional Chinese medicine combined with techniques to clear away heat and detoxify, soothe the liver and promote lactation. Commonly used herbs include Trichosanthes kirilowii, Taraxacum mongolicum, Lophatherum gracile, Panicum ovata, Fritillaria thunbergii, and Deer antler powder. For low fever, use Bupleurum chinense. For high fever, add gypsum. For constipation, add burdock. For excessive milk, add malt to reduce milk secretion. Because the body is weak after childbirth, it is taboo to use too much bitter and cold food, such as Plantago, Forsythia, and Rhubarb. You can continue breastfeeding or feed only with the healthy side during medication. If the fever is high, you can combine it with intravenous drip, penicillin, and cephalosporin antibiotics. Be careful not to use large amounts of antibiotics too early. Excessive or prolonged use of antibiotics will have the same result as excessively bitter and cold Chinese medicine, which is that the tumor is difficult to eliminate and can easily become chronic. It is recommended not to breastfeed while taking antibiotics.

When acute mastitis reaches the stage of abscess formation, timely incision and drainage are required. The size and position of the incision should be based on the principle of ensuring smooth drainage of pus. Because breast abscesses are often multi-chambered, it is necessary to use fingers to separate the connective tissue partitions of multiple abscess cavities so that drainage can be unobstructed. Abscesses deep in the breast are mainly characterized by high fever and chills. The local redness and swelling are not obvious, and there is no fluctuation. A puncture and pus extraction test can be done first, and then an incision can be made after the presence of pus is confirmed. It is best not to wait for breast abscess to rupture on its own, because the abscess cavities are often multiple or occur one after another, and the spontaneous rupture cannot be drained completely. Generally speaking, as long as the pus is drained and the fever subsides, suppurative mastitis will enter the wound healing period. The dressing will be changed every other day, and the wound will usually heal within a month.