Mastitis

Question 1

What is mastitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of breast tissue which is a common complication of breastfeeding.

Question 2

What causes mastitis?

Answer 2

Caused by obstruction in the ducts and accumulation of milk; regularly expressing breast milk can help prevent this from occurring. Can be caused by infection; bacteria can enter the nipple and back track into the ducts causing infection and inflammation (staph aureus).

Question 3

How does mastitis present?

Answer 3

Breast pain & tenderness, erythema, local warmth and inflammation, nipple discharge, fever.

Question 4

What is the conservative treatment?

Answer 4

Continued breastfeeding, expressing milk and breast massage. Heat packs, warm showers and simple analgesia can help.

Question 5

What antibiotics can be started?

Answer 5

Flucloxacillin or erythromycin if allergic. Fluconazole may be used for suspected candida infections.

Question 6

When can candida occur?

Answer 6

After a course of antibiotics which can lead to recurrent mastitis due to the cracked skin which creates an entrance for infection. Associated with oral thrush & candidal nappy rash in the infant.

Question 7

What does candida present with?

Answer 7

Sore nipples, nipple tenderness and itching, cracked, flaky or shiny areola. Symptoms in baby like white patches in mouth or candidal nappy rash.

Question 8

Treatment for candida?

Answer 8

Topical miconazole. Treatment for baby includes miconazole gel or nystatin.