A breast abscess is a painful collection of pus that forms in the breast. Most abscesses develop just under the skin and are caused by a bacterial infection. Breast abscesses are painful, swollen lumps that may also:
What causes a
breast abscess?
Breast abscesses are often linked to mastitis, a condition
that causes breast pain and inflammation, and usually affects women
who are breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, infections can
occur if bacteria enter your breast tissue, or if the milk ducts (tiny
tubes that carry milk) become blocked.
This can
cause mastitis which, left untreated, can result in an abscess
forming. Sometimes, non-breastfeeding women can also develop mastitis if
bacteria enter the milk ducts through a sore or cracked nipple, or a nipple
piercing.
White blood cells are sent to attack the infection which causes tissue at the site of the infection to die. This creates a small, hollow area that fills with pus (an abscess).
Summary of the main causes of breast abscess
When to visit
your doctor
See your physician if your breast is red and sore. If you have mastitis,
you may be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection.
If your symptoms persist after taking antibiotics, your doctor may refer you for an ultrasound scan which will confirm whether you have a breast abscess. This type of scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body.
Treating a
breast abscess
If you have a breast abscess, it will need to be drained. Small breast
abscesses can be drained using a needle and syringe. For larger
abscesses, a small incision may be needed to drain the pus.
For both procedures, a local anaesthetic will usually be given to numb the skin around the abscess so you do not feel pain or discomfort.
Schematic diagram of the management of breast abscesses
Causes of a breast abscess
Most breast abscesses occur as a complication of mastitis, a
bacterial infection that causes the breast to become red
and inflamed. Mastitis usually
affects breastfeeding women, but it can sometimes occur in women who
are not breastfeeding.
Women who smoke cigarettes have an increased risk of developing non-breastfeeding mastitis. This condition is known as periductal mastitis.
Bacterial
infection
Most abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria
usually enter the breast through small cracks or breaks in the skin
of the nipple, which can sometimes develop during breastfeeding.
Infections can also be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that
usually exist quite harmlessly within the milk ducts (the tiny tubes inside the
breast that carry milk). An overgrowth of bacteria can occur if stagnant
milk collects in a blocked milk duct.
When bacteria enter your body, your immune system (the body’s natural defence) tries to fight them off by sending white blood cells to the affected area. As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, some of the tissue at the site of the infection dies, creating a small, hollow pocket.
The pocket starts to fill with pus, forming an abscess. The pus contains a mixture of dead tissue, white blood cells and bacteria. As the infection progresses, the abscess may get bigger and more painful as more pus is produced.
Schematic diagram of Lactating Mastitits
Schematic diagram of Non-Lactating Mastitits
Treatment of breast abscess
You should visit your doctor if your breast is red and painful. A
breast abscess is usually a complication of mastitis (inflammation of
the breast). If you
have mastitis, you may be prescribed antibiotics to treat the
infection. If your symptoms do not improve, you should return to your
physician.
If your breast is still hard, red and painful after taking antibiotics, your doctor may refer you to a specialist breast unit to confirm the diagnosis of a breast abscess. A diagnosis will usually be confirmed using an ultrasound scan. This type of scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body.
Draining
breast abscesses
If a breast abscess is confirmed, it can usually be successfully treated
by draining it. Small
abscesses can be drained using a needle and syringe. Ultrasound may
be used to guide the needle into place.
For larger breast abscesses, a small incision can be made in the abscess so the pus can be drained. During both procedures, a local anaesthetic may be used to numb the area of skin surrounding the infected breast tissue. General anaesthetic is not usually needed unless the abscess is particularly deep.
Diagnosing
breast problems
Always visit your physician if you notice any changes to your breasts,
such as a breast lump or discharge (leaking fluid) from your nipples.
In some cases, such symptoms could be a sign of breast cancer.
If you have a lump on your breast, you will be referred to a breast
clinic for an assessment which may include an ultrasound scan and a mammogram
(breast X-ray).
Source: NHS Choices
Source: NHS Choices