How to heal breast infections without surgery

A breast infection, also known as mastitis, usually affects one breast at a time with symptoms coming on suddenly. As the infection manifests, it can be very uncomfortable, causing the breast to become hot, swollen and painful.

In this article, London breast surgeon, Mr Kislaya Thakur explains how to resolve breast infections without needing surgery, by applying effective home remedies and the advice and guidance of a breast specialist.

What are the main causes of breast infections?

The most common cause of breast infections is from breastfeeding. They occur in around 2% of breastfeeding mothers when bacteria from a baby’s mouth enters the breast and infects it. The most common type is staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Breast infection rates in women who do not breastfeed are low but can happen with conditions that cause chronic inflammation of the ducts. It is also common in women that smoke, who have diabetes and have health conditions that reduce immunity, such as HIV and AIDS.

Nipple piercing and breast implants can be another cause of breast infections.

What type of home remedies are recommended to manage it?

For breastfeeding-related infections, you should learn to adopt safe breastfeeding techniques. These include:

• ensuring you maintain the correct posture when your baby is feeding
• making sure the baby latches on properly
• avoiding your breasts overfilling with milk

You may also find it useful to gently massage the affected area towards the nipple to help the milk drain out fully.

To help manage any discomfort at home, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids, make sure you keep your nipple area clean and wear a supportive bra for comfort. Warm showers can also help and applying a warm, wet cloth across the breast can help reduce any inflammation and pain.

What medications can be offered and when?

If home care doesn’t work, you should seek medical advice from a breast specialist. The earlier the presentation, the easier it can be managed.

You may need to get an ultrasound scan done of the infected breast to check for the presence of an abscess. If an abscess is not detected, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication for symptom relief along with suitable antibiotics can be prescribed.

You can continue to breastfeed or use a breast pump to express milk on the infected side.

After a breast infection, why is a check-up necessary?

Although it is rare, certain breast cancers can mimic the symptoms of a breast infection, e.g. inflammatory breast cancer. That is why all breast infections should be followed up until they have fully resolved.

If the breast infection doesn't resolve within a reasonable time frame, we would need to further investigate to be able to rule out cancer. Tests to do this may include a mammogram, ultrasound scan and needle biopsies.

When is surgery the only option?

Surgery can be avoided in most instances. Usually, if there is an infected milk duct or abscess, it can be managed with the combination of ultrasound-guided aspiration (to be sent for microbiology culture sensitivity) and suitable antibiotics.

Only if the infection does not respond to repeated aspirations and multiple courses of antibiotics would a surgical incision and drainage under a general anaesthetic be required.

What is the outlook like for breast infections?

Most breastfeeding infections will resolve with non-surgical methods i.e. aspiration plus antibiotics. A very small proportion of women will end up needing surgical intervention. Furthermore, very few of these will end up being diagnosed as inflammatory breast cancer as it is a very uncommon condition.

If you are suffering from repeated breast infections or home remedies aren't helping you, you should seek the advice of a breast specialist. Go to Mr Kislaya Thakur's Top Doctors profile and book a consultation with him.