General Illness Information Common Name: BREAST ABSCESS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Infection of breast tissue, occurring most often during nursing. The infected area becomes filled with pus. Causes: Bacteria that enter the breast through the nipple (usually a cracked nipple during the early days of breast-feeding). Prevention: Clean the nipples and breasts thoroughly before and after nursing. Lubricate the nipples after nursing with lanolin or Vitamin A & D ointment. Avoid clothing that irritates the breasts. Don't allow a nursing infant to chew nipples. Signs & Symptoms Breast pain, tenderness, redness or hardness, swelling. Fever and chills. A generally feeling unwell. Tender lymph glands in the underarm area. Risk Factors Postpartum pelvic infection. Fatigue. Diabetes mellitus. Rheumatoid arthritis. Use of steroid medications, low immunity states. Heavy cigarette smoking. Lumpectomy with radiation. Silicone implants. Diagnosis & Treatment General Measures: Use warm-water (or cold water if it is more comforting) 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). Medications: Antibiotics to fight infection. Pain relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Activity: After treatment, resume normal activity as soon as symptoms improve. Diet: No special diet. Possible Complications : It may be necessary to discontinue breast-feeding temporarily, if the infection is severe enough to require extensive treatment with certain antibiotics (especially tetracycline) and pain relievers. Prognosis Usually curable in 8 to 10 days with treatment. Draining the abscess is occasionally necessary to hasten healing.