Mastitis

What is mastitis?

Mastitis is when part of your breast becomes swollen, hot and sore. It happens most often to women who are breastfeeding, but it can affect anyone - including men.

The good news is that most cases get better on their own with simple care at home.

What does mastitis feel like?

Mastitis usually affects just one breast. The symptoms often start quickly and include:

• A swollen area on your breast that feels hot and painful when you touch it
• The area may look red (this can be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• A wedge-shaped lump or hard area in your breast
• A burning pain in your breast - this might be there all the time or just when breastfeeding
• Discharge from your nipple that may be white or have streaks of blood

You might also feel unwell, like you have flu. This can include:

• Aches and pains
• High temperature
• Feeling hot, cold or shivery
• Feeling very tired

How to help yourself feel better

If you're breastfeeding:

• Keep breastfeeding as normal - feed your baby when they want and for as long as they want
• Make sure your baby is positioned properly when feeding - ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist for help if needed
• If your breasts feel uncomfortably full, offer your baby a feed

Things that can help:

• Put a warm, damp cloth on your breast before feeding - this may help milk flow better (don't make it too hot as this can make swelling worse)
• Use a cold compress after feeding to ease pain - try a cloth soaked in cold water
• Rest and drink plenty of fluids
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and high temperature

Things to avoid:

• Don't wear tight clothes or bras
• Don't take aspirin
• Don't pump or express more milk than your baby needs
• Don't press firmly on your breast - any pressure should be gentle
• Don't stop breastfeeding suddenly
• Don't put oils, soaks or creams on your breast

When to speak to your GP

You should see your GP if:

• Your symptoms don't get better within 12 to 24 hours of treating them at home
• Your symptoms don't improve within 48 hours of taking antibiotics
• You get mastitis and you're not breastfeeding

Your GP may give you antibiotics if your symptoms aren't getting better. If you're breastfeeding, a tiny amount might get into your breast milk, but this won't harm your baby (though it might make them a bit unsettled).

If mastitis keeps coming back

If you keep getting mastitis while breastfeeding, it might be because of how your baby is positioned during feeds. It's important to get help quickly from your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist.

You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline any time on 0300 100 0212.

What causes mastitis?

In breastfeeding women, mastitis often happens when milk builds up in the breast. Even if you're not breastfeeding, mastitis can be caused by smoking, nipple damage, breast implants, or having a weakened immune system.

Remember, speak to your GP if you're worried about your symptoms or if they're not getting better with home care.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.