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 Mastitis is a condition where the breasts become inflamed due to an infection. The inflammation can cause the breasts to become tender and painful and may even be accompanied by fever and chills. Although mastitis usually affects women who are breastfeeding, it may also occur during pregnancy. Mastitis that occurs during pregnancy is termed as non-lactational mastitis. However, a pregnant woman who is still nursing an older child may develop lactational mastitis.

Mastitis rarely occurs in healthy women. However, women with conditions such as diabetes, chronic illness, AIDS or weakened immune systems have a higher risk of developing mastitis.

Women with non-lactational mastitis during pregnancy may also have a concurrent thrush infection. This will often result in shooting, deep breast pain, exacerbating the pain and tenderness usually caused by mastitis. Such cases will often have a history of:

• Vaginal yeast infections
• Diabetes, anemia or immune system disorders
• Frequent use of antibiotics, steroids or birth control pills
• High sugar and dairy product intake

The symptoms of mastitis during pregnancy may include:

• Breast tenderness
• Breasts that are warm
• Swollen breasts
• General feeling of unease or malaise
• Continuous pain or burning sensation in the breast
• Shooting pain in the breast while breastfeeding
• Reddened skin
• Fever
• Chills

While lactational mastitis may be caused by blocked milk ducts, non-lactational mastitis during pregnancy is usually caused by a bacterial infection. This usually occurs when bacteria from the skin enters the milk ducts through a break or a crack in the skin of the nipples. The bacteria then multiply, leading to an infection that causes the typical symptoms of mastitis. These bacteria are usually harmless when they remain confined to the skin. However, they are harmful to the breast tissue which is why they cause an infection.

Mastitis that is left undetected and untreated can result in complications such as an abscess that develops in the breast. This will require drainage of the wound with surgery and is best avoided in the case of pregnant women. For this reason it is important to consult your doctor as soon as you develop any of the symptoms of mastitis.

Great care must be taken in the treatment of mastitis during pregnancy. This is because any medications that are taken by the mother may have an adverse impact on the health of the fetus.

The treatment for mastitis during pregnancy includes:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics will be needed to fight the infection and are usually prescribed for a period of 10 to 14 days. You should take the complete course even if you feel an improvement in the initial period of treatment. Discontinuing your antibiotic treatment prematurely may lead to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria and can lead to a recurrence of the problem.
• Pain Medication: Your doctor may prescribe you non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to lessen the pain in case it is too severe. These include drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Breast Feeding: In case you are nursing an older child during your pregnancy, your doctor may suggest some changes to your breast feeding techniques. These will help to ensure that there is no residual milk left in your breasts that may cause a blockage of the milk ducts.
• Rest: You will need to get plenty of rest in order to let your body fight off the infection.
• Diet: Drinking plenty of fluids will help to ensure that your body remains well hydrated.
• Self Care: Apply a moisturizing cream on your nipples. This will help to heal any cracks in the skin. Lanolin based creams are very effective and will also help to ease the soreness and tenderness in your nipples and breasts.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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