What should women do if their nipples are inflamed?

A plump breast is a characteristic of women and a special part that women are proud of, but it also brings many unique problems to women. Nipple inflammation is one of them. So, my female friends, for the sake of your own health, please do not underestimate this problem and must pay attention to it as early as possible. Here we will take you to understand the causes of nipple inflammation and what you should pay attention to afterwards.

Causes of nipple inflammation

Acute mastitis is an acute suppurative disease of the breast, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection. It is more common in primiparas during the lactation period. Bacteria can invade through damaged or cracked nipples, or directly invade the milk ducts and then spread to the breast parenchyma. Generally speaking, acute mastitis has a short course and a good prognosis, but if not treated properly, the course of the disease may be prolonged and may even be complicated by systemic suppurative infection.

diagnosis

Diagnosis of nipple inflammation

1. Diagnosis can be made based on typical clinical symptoms and signs.

At the beginning of acute mastitis, the affected breast will be swollen and painful, especially during breastfeeding. Milk secretion is not smooth, and there may or may not be breast lumps. The systemic symptoms may not be obvious, or there may be general discomfort, poor appetite, chest tightness and irritability. Then, the local breast becomes hard and the lump gradually increases in size, which may be accompanied by obvious systemic symptoms such as high fever, chills, general weakness, dry stool, etc. Abscesses can often form within 4 to 5 days, and throbbing pain in the breast may occur, with local redness, swelling, and translucency of the skin. When pus forms, the center of the lump becomes soft and feels fluctuating when pressed. If it is a deep breast abscess, the entire breast may become swollen, painful, and have a high fever, but the local skin redness, swelling, and fluctuation are not obvious, and a puncture is required for a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes there may be several abscesses, or they may form at different times. They may penetrate the skin or enter the milk duct, causing pus to overflow from the nipple. After the ulcer breaks and pus flows out, the pus will drain smoothly, the swelling and pain will be reduced, and the disease will heal. If the treatment is not good or is not timely, the abscess may break through the loose connective tissue in front of the pectoralis major fascia, forming a retromammary abscess; or milk may overflow from the wound and form milk leakage; in severe cases, sepsis may occur. Acute mastitis is often accompanied by enlarged and tender axillary lymph nodes on the affected side; the total white blood cell count and neutrophil count increase.

2. Blood examination: The total white blood cell count and neutrophil granulocyte count were significantly increased.

3. When exploring a tumor, puncture should be performed under local anesthesia to help confirm the diagnosis of an abscess.

4. Ultrasound examination helps to diagnose abscess.

Nipple inflammation needs to be differentiated from the following symptoms:

1. Traumatic hematoma during lactation

There is often a lump and local swelling and pain may also be seen, but there is a history of trauma and no obvious systemic symptoms of infection. The diagnosis can be confirmed by puncturing the lump and finding blood. Traumatic hematoma during lactation is prone to secondary infection and development of acute mastitis.

2. Breast cancer

Among breast cancers, there is a highly malignant inflammatory cancer, which presents similarly to mastitis, with local redness, swelling, heat in the breast and relatively milder pain than acute mastitis. Clinically, the lump cannot be felt, there is no suppuration, the systemic reaction is mild, the total white blood cell count and neutrophil count are not high, and antibiotic treatment is ineffective.

Some breast cancers that occur during lactation and pregnancy are hidden in the physiologically enlarged breasts and can easily be mistaken for milk stasis. If they do not receive enough attention, they require the help of ultrasound and imaging examinations to confirm them.

3. Plasma cell mastitis

It is a disease of mammary duct ectasia, which often occurs during the non-breastfeeding and non-pregnancy period. The breast shows signs of inflammation, but the course of the disease is long, ranging from several months to several years, and it develops slowly. Acne-like substances with a foul odor can be squeezed out of the nipple. Many patients have inverted nipples. The disease often recurs, and some form small abscesses, which often form phlegm ducts after rupture. After the wound heals, it ruptures again.

4. Acute viral mastitis

In addition to this acute bacterial mastitis, acute viral mastitis also occurs, but it is rare and is generally considered to be a complication of acute mumps. It is characterized by swelling and pain in both breasts. The local redness and heat are not severe, and there will be no suppuration. The total white blood cell count is normal or slightly low, and the lymphocyte count is relatively increased. It often heals with the recovery of mumps.

treat

Treatment of nipple inflammation

1. Prevention

1. Keep the breasts clean and avoid trauma.

2. Maintain a good mental state.

3. Maintain a regular daily routine and combine work and rest.

4. Seek timely treatment for illness to avoid complications caused by long-term treatment.

5. The diet should be light and nutritious, and avoid spicy, irritating, meaty and greasy foods.

2. Diet

should

1. The diet should be light and nutritious;

2. It is advisable to eat more cool foods.

avoid

1. Avoid eating raw or cold food;

2. Avoid spicy food;

3. Avoid eating meaty and greasy food;

4. Avoid seafood and river food.