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What Causes Mastitis On My Right Breast?
Question: I have developed a mastitis on my right breastfeeding about 2 weeks ago from a poor latch and unable to nurse frequently . I had a red streak on my breast, felt achy, had chills and had a low degree fever of 100.4. However my breast was not engorged at all, just had a firm spot where the red streak was present. The very next day I went to my obgyn and got dicloxacillin 500mg for 7 days. My fever broke on the 2nd day of antibiotics and the tenderness went away at about 4th day. The firmness has gone away also but I can still feel a small (size of my fingernail) lump deeper into my breast. I tried massaging and continued to put heat as well as frequent nursing however the lump won't shrink down even after i finished the 7day antibiotics. A day after finishing the medication , my breast was itchy again and felt tender to the touch. Called the obgyn for the concern, without seeing me he said to take another 7 days of the same antibiotics over thepphone. So i retook the medication after 2 days of finishing the first course and the tenderness immediately went away. however I can still feel the small lump and am concerned if this could be something more serious? The lump is deeper inside the breast so it looks and feels fine if just pressed mildly. With this second course of antibiotics, there is no pain associated when pressing the lump.I don't know what would be the best approach to fixing this problem. Could this spot become sore again after i finish this second round of antibiotics? Is it normal for a lump to stick around longer after being treated for mastitis? Should I continue to nurse and put heat and massage?
I am curious if this is a breast abscess, is it also treatable with antibiotics or does it always have to be aspirated?
Any advise is appreciated. Thank you
I am curious if this is a breast abscess, is it also treatable with antibiotics or does it always have to be aspirated?
Any advise is appreciated. Thank you
Brief Answer:
The lump could be due to Fibrosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Breast inflammation and abscess usually cause reactionary fibrosis around the abscess. Antibiotic use may reduce abscess and inflammation, but fibrosis may last for couple of months. Therefore, you may feel the lump for awhile even after complete antibiotic treatment.
Having said that, I prefer to physically examine the lump thoroughly and order for an ultrasound to understand the benign nature of the swelling. If there are any suspicion, even after ultrasound exam, I prefer to excise the swelling and sent it across for histopathological examination.
Another possibility is a condition called Antibioma, a swelling which occurs after Antibiotic therapy. It has to be excised surgically.
Hence I will recommend you consult a general surgeon if not a breast surgeon who can physically examine the bump (unlike your current OBGYN) and order necessary investigation (if needed). Whatever is the diagnosis, I think the management will be easy and smooth. Until then, there is no harm in using hot compresses.
Hope I answered your query. If you have any questions, I will clarify further.
Wish you good health.
Regards
The lump could be due to Fibrosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Breast inflammation and abscess usually cause reactionary fibrosis around the abscess. Antibiotic use may reduce abscess and inflammation, but fibrosis may last for couple of months. Therefore, you may feel the lump for awhile even after complete antibiotic treatment.
Having said that, I prefer to physically examine the lump thoroughly and order for an ultrasound to understand the benign nature of the swelling. If there are any suspicion, even after ultrasound exam, I prefer to excise the swelling and sent it across for histopathological examination.
Another possibility is a condition called Antibioma, a swelling which occurs after Antibiotic therapy. It has to be excised surgically.
Hence I will recommend you consult a general surgeon if not a breast surgeon who can physically examine the bump (unlike your current OBGYN) and order necessary investigation (if needed). Whatever is the diagnosis, I think the management will be easy and smooth. Until then, there is no harm in using hot compresses.
Hope I answered your query. If you have any questions, I will clarify further.
Wish you good health.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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