Mastitis

Mastitis is a condition in which milk ducts become blocked or clogged, causing swelling and sometimes infection of the breasts. Women who have begun to lactate are prone to mastitis; with symptoms developing quickly, usually affecting only one breast. In some cases, this inflammation can lead to abscesses which need to be drained. Symptoms such as fever, redness of skin or breast tenderness which feels warm to the touch all point to a possible infection due to mastitis.

The best way to relieve symptoms brought on by breast inflammation is actually breastfeeding. While the thought of having a baby latch onto a sore and swollen breast might be hard to fathom, studies have shown that this condition affects women who don’t breastfeed more often than those that do. Some patients may receive antibiotics as well if the infection is bad enough.