How to clear the milk ducts to avoid mastitis

If a woman's mammary ducts are blocked, it will affect her health. Therefore, many women who pay attention to their breast health want to fully understand how to clear the mammary ducts and avoid the occurrence of mastitis. The following content gives a detailed introduction. Therefore, many women who encounter this situation can understand the following introduction as soon as possible.

"Clinically, mastitis during the postpartum lactation period develops rapidly and easily becomes purulent, causing great pain to new mothers," said Ma Hongmin, director of the Department of Breast Surgery at the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center. "Mastitis during lactation is divided into three stages: acute simple mastitis, acute suppurative mastitis, and abscess formation. At first, it is just breast pain, the surface skin temperature rises, there is tenderness and unclear boundary nodules. Then the pain and nodules worsen, and the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes will also swell. As the disease progresses, to the stage of abscess formation, the surface skin ulcerates and pus flows out. During this period, systemic symptoms may also occur, including chills, high fever, headache, fatigue, etc. In severe cases, sepsis may occur."

When a mother first notices breast tenderness and increased surface temperature, she should be alert to lactation mastitis. Ma Hongmin pointed out that mothers should continue breastfeeding while cleaning the nipples and areola, and pay attention to keeping the nipples and the baby's mouth clean. The most important thing is to promote milk discharge (using a breast pump or sucking). Local hot compresses can be applied. In principle, patients are advised to apply more applications and squeeze more to ensure that the milk ducts are unobstructed. "Unblocking the milk ducts is the most beneficial measure to reduce milk stasis. When milk stasis is reduced, the environment for bacterial infection can be eliminated and the further development of mastitis can be prevented. Moreover, once the milk ducts are unblocked, there will be no pain."

Of course, the correct method of unclogging the milk ducts is very important. Repeatedly and rhythmically squeeze and relax to squeeze out the milk, making the lump softer and smaller until the breast becomes soft. Pay attention to controlling the appropriate strength. Excessive massage force will aggravate local edema and make milk discharge more difficult. For patients who have already formed an abscess, local massage is prohibited to prevent the spread of inflammation.

Ma Hongmin pointed out that if the symptoms of mastitis are still not relieved after the above measures, it is recommended to see a breast specialist. The doctor will give appropriate treatment based on the results of the patient's blood routine, breast ultrasound and other examinations.

Once the mother develops an abscess, the child will not be able to drink breast milk, so prevention is the main approach for mastitis, and the correct breastfeeding method should be adhered to at ordinary times. During pregnancy, you should wash your nipples frequently with warm water. If you have inverted nipples, it is best to treat them before pregnancy. Sometimes it is because of damaged nipples that the mother is unwilling to breastfeed her child, resulting in milk accumulation in the breast, which is more likely to lead to bacterial infection. Ma Hongmin pointed out that once the nipples are ulcerated, you can use a breast pump to extract milk for feeding. After the milk is expressed, clean the nipples with clean water and apply lanolin or milk on the surface. You can also apply antibiotic ointment such as erythromycin or chloramphenicol ointment.

Through the above comprehensive introduction, I believe you have understood how to dredge the mammary ducts and prevent mastitis. After fully understanding the above introduction, in order to ensure the health of the breasts, you must choose a large hospital to dredge the mammary ducts, and you must do a good job of care after dredging, so that you can recover quickly and avoid mastitis.