Breast abscess is caused by infection of the engorged glandular system of the breasts.
The anatomy of the breasts, is composed of 20 lobules surrounded by pockets of fat. These lobules produce milk from the mother's blood after delivery of the baby.
Immediately after delivery, the breasts produces a thin yellowish liquid known as 'colostrum".
The amount of colostrum produced at this time is quite adequate for the newborn baby .
But from about 3 -4 days after delivery, the amount of milk secreted increases. If the milk is not removed by the baby by suckling and it stagnates, breast engorgement can occur. This stagnant milk is a rich media for the growth of bacteria, leading to the development of breast abscess.
Infection in breast abscess is usually caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus. It enters the breast from an infected cracked nipple, either from the nasopharynx of an infected baby or more commonly, from the infected hands of nurses, midwives, doctors or the mother herself.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Abscess
- Fever : The patient may complain of fever accompanied by severe chills and rigor. The body temperature may be very high, even up to 105 degrees F.
- Abscess on the breast: Since the breast abscess occurs predominantly in one of the glandular systems, (each breast has twenty glandular system), one part of the breast shows a red, hard, tender area. The skin over the area is indurated and thickened. The surrounding skin is red and shiny and may show engorged blue veins running over it.
If the abscess is not treated immediately, there is breakdown of the tissues involved in the abscess. There is collection of pus under the skin and the area becomes soft and fluctuant.
Sometimes the breast abscess may burst spontaneously and pus may be seen dribbling from an open pus point on the abscess. Bursting of the abscess, whether spontaneous or surgical, causes a reduction of the intensity of the pain.
- Severe Pain occurs on movement of the entire breast.
- The axillary (armpit) lymph nodes may also get inflamed, red and tender.
Management / Treatment of Breast Abscess
- Surgery: The pus of the abscess is drained out by a deep radial incision parallel to the lactiferous duct. The incision should be made very carefully so that the other lobular systems are not touched.
- Medicines: Proper antibiotics and analgesics are given to control pain and inflammation.
- Support: The breasts should be supported with proper brassieres. Well fitting nursing bras without wires should be used for proper support of the breasts
- Breast Pump: The milk on the affected side should be drained out by a breast pump.
- Breast feeding Breast feeding should be stopped on the affected side till the condition is cured. However, feeding may be continued on the healthy side. Feeding can be restarted on the affected side after healing of the abscess.
- Clean vaginal pads must be used and changed frequently to prevent spread of infection.
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