Symptoms of acute mastitis, breastfeeding women should pay more attention to it!

Acute mastitis usually occurs in young mothers who have just given birth. Because most people are not very clear about the symptoms of acute mastitis, they miss the best time for treatment, which is more unfavorable for later treatment. So what are the symptoms of acute mastitis? How to take care of yourself in daily life?

What are the symptoms of acute mastitis?

1. Inflammation spreads to the superficial lymphatic vessels, leading to erysipelas-like lymphangitis. The patient develops a sudden high fever, often accompanied by chills, breast tenderness, and red spots or lines on the local skin, which are characteristic of this type.

2. The inflammation is limited to the connective tissue of the areola, forming a subareolar abscess.

3. The infection spreads along the lymphatic vessels into the breast stroma, from the surface to the base, across the breast tissue. Interstitial abscess is formed due to suppuration of connective tissue. This type of abscess may be confined to a single breast lobule or may spread to the majority of the breast.

4. The infection spreads rapidly, reaching deep into the loose connective tissue behind the breast between the base of the breast and the pectoralis major muscle, forming a retromammary abscess. The area where inflammation or abscess is located will show redness, swelling and tenderness. The abscess area may feel fluctuating when pressed. If necessary, a test puncture can be performed to extract pus for bacteriological examination and a drug sensitivity test for reference in selecting antibiotics.

How to prevent acute mastitis?

1. Correct breastfeeding: Each time you breastfeed, you should feed from both breasts alternately and keep changing the baby-holding posture to fully empty the milk ducts.

2. Breast hygiene during pregnancy: In the last two months of pregnancy, frequently scrub the nipples with soapy water or clean water; or use a cotton ball soaked in 70% alcohol (or liquor) to rub the nipples and areola to enhance the resistance of the nipples. Because alcohol can remove grease, long-term use can reduce the secretion of areola glands and sebum, causing dry nipples and cracking, so it cannot be used for a long time.

3. Deal with nipple cracks in time: nipple cracks can cause pain and affect breastfeeding. You can grind half of Phellodendron chinense and half of Angelica dahurica into powder, then mix it with sesame oil or honey and apply it to the affected area, or apply bismuth subcarbonate ointment (grind 4g of bismuth subcarbonate into powder and add 6mg of vegetable oil), or apply benzoin tincture, and use a breast pump to extract milk to feed the baby.

4. Correction of inverted nipples: In the second trimester of pregnancy, you should try to correct inverted nipples. You can cover the nipples with a small wine cup and secure them with a cloth tape, or use a breast pump twice a day. You can also massage the breasts or pull them with your hands frequently.

5. Keep milk discharge unobstructed: Milk accumulation is an important factor in the onset of the disease, so breastfeeding should be done regularly and the remaining milk should be drained out after breastfeeding. You can use a breast pump or hand massage to squeeze out the milk. To prevent the milk from becoming too thick and causing curdling to block the milk ducts, breastfeeding women should be encouraged to drink soup and eat more often.

6. Strengthen the baby's oral care and pay attention to the cleanliness of the baby's oral cavity. You can gently wipe the baby's oral mucosa and teeth with clean water 1 to 2 times a day; do not let the baby sleep with milk.