Breast abscess is characterized by severe inflammation, which has arisen due to the formation of isolated cavities in the breast that are filled with pus. The mammary glands are very vulnerable to purulent inflammation, since they have several milky streams. Infections spread rapidly along these streams. Most often, an abscess appears in women 25-40 years old. The ICD code for breast abscess is O91.1.
Given the fact that pathology often provokes the development of serious diseases, treatment should be carried out not only by a gynecologist, obstetrician, but also by a mammologist.
What factors provoke the development of an abscess?
Abscess is not an independent disease, but a complication or outcome of a purulent infection. The causative agent of the disease is streptococcus, staphylococcus or other harmful microorganisms. They are able to penetrate the mammary glands through:
- cracked nipple;
- various skin lesions;
- inflamed hair follicle.
In frequent cases, breast abscess occurs in acuteform. In rare situations, it becomes chronic. As medical practice shows, most often an abscess is formed due to the development of acute mastitis, which occurs in the first month after labor. In some cases, the infection enters the mammary glands through ulcers that are located on other organs. Microorganisms are able to migrate from other areas of the skin and lymph nodes affected by pus.
In addition to these reasons that provoke the appearance of an abscess, there are:
- hematoma formation;
- surgery.
The chronic form of pathology develops when infected with a fungal infection, tuberculosis or syphilis.
Who is most likely to get sick?
There are several factors that can cause breast abscess in women. These include:
- problems with the protective function of the body;
- incomplete emptying of the mammary glands during breastfeeding;
- formation of polyps or tumors that close the lumen of the milk ducts;
- due to diabetes, blood circulation in the mammary glands is disturbed, for this reason, harmful microorganisms enter the body;
- with diabetes, the composition of milk changes, which normally blocks the development of harmful bacteria;
- unhe althy lifestyle;
- alcohol abuse;
- the presence of a foreign body in the mammary glands (piercing is a gateway for infection).
Doctors do not recommendwomen get nipple piercings as it increases the risk of breast injury.
Location area
There are several types of abscesses of the mammary glands, depending on the zone of their localization. There are the following types:
- Subareolar type develops under the nipples and areolas. This type of localization occurs most often among women who are breastfeeding. Treatment in this case is carried out effectively and as soon as possible.
- Intramammary type is characterized by location in the tissues of the mammary glands.
- Retromammary type is characterized by the fact that pus accumulates between the fiber of the mammary glands and the superficial muscles underlying it. This species is the least common, while being the most dangerous.
Only a qualified specialist after a complete examination of the patient can determine the type of breast abscess. To prevent the development of an abscess, it is important to have regular check-ups with a doctor and know what the symptoms of the pathology are.
Symptoms of the disease
In frequent cases, the disease is not asymptomatic. Already at the initial stage of development, a woman experiences severe discomfort and her general well-being worsens. In frequent cases, the body temperature rises to 38 degrees. The mammary glands begin to hurt a lot and swell in the area of localization of pus. The skin is warm and firm. During pressure, pain intensifies, fluid may be released from the nipples. Rarely, blood clots are present.
When one of the symptoms of a breast abscess appearsgland (according to the ICD code, see above), it is important to immediately consult a doctor and undergo a complete medical examination, since this pathology is very dangerous and can be fatal. In order for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a complete and thorough medical examination, since such symptoms may indicate that a malignant tumor is growing in the mammary glands. In order not to start the disease, it is important to visit a doctor in a timely manner. Self-medication in this case is not recommended, as this can be very harmful.
Mastitis or abscess: how to determine?
When abscesses occur, the symptoms get worse every day and the soreness gets worse. With mastitis, the pain subsides and disappears within 5 days. If the discomfort remains and the state of he alth worsens, then this indicates that a cavity filled with pus has formed. With a subareolar abscess, the nipple and peripapillary space are significantly enlarged due to the appearance of edema. Under the areola there is hardening. Unlike mastopathy, treatment of a breast abscess without surgery is rarely carried out. Since an abscess is a serious complication of another disease, therapy should be carried out in a complex manner.
Patient examination process
At home, it is impossible to determine the presence of the disease, so it is important to undergo laboratory and instrumental studies, since the symptoms of a breast abscess are sometimes absent. First of all, the attending physician prescribes an x-ray of the mammary glands. Thanks to this methodstudies can assess the shape and size of the abscess, identify its exact location. On the apparatus, the abscess looks like a round formation with enlightenment in the center. Thanks to this sign, it can be distinguished from a dense formation, such as:
- fibroma;
- adenoma;
- malignant tumor.
Among the main advantages of radiography are:
- accuracy of received data;
- ability to see minor abscesses.
The disadvantage is that the body is irradiated.
The process of diagnosing the mammary glands does not take place without ultrasound. Thanks to this diagnostic method, it is possible to establish the localization of the abscess, size, shape and depth. Based on the results of the ultrasound examination, the specialist establishes the stage of development of the pathology. During the ultrasound, it is impossible to see a small neoplasm.
In the event that the result of the radiograph and ultrasound turned out to be uninformative, it is necessary to conduct a computed tomography. This is an ideal method for examining an abscess, since it can be used to find out about all the pathological changes in the tissue. Due to the huge expansion, microabscesses up to 0.3 mm in size can be detected. With a retromammary abscess, this type of diagnosis is indispensable, since the abscess can be carefully examined. Frequent CT scans are prohibited, as the patient is irradiated and this can harm he alth.
Therapy of disease
It is important to treat an abscess in a timely manner, as the disease canprogress and move into complex forms of flow. If therapy is not started on time, fistulas may form. In addition, the inflammatory process can turn from local to extensive, malignant diseases occur and severe fever appears.
In a chronic abscess, there is no breakthrough into nearby tissues, since such an abscess is limited to capsules. As medical practice shows, the treatment of breast abscess with folk remedies is effective only in combination with traditional therapy. This is a serious pathology that requires immediate treatment.
Surgical method
In frequent cases, in the process of abscess therapy, a surgical method of treatment is used. First of all, the surgeon carefully examines the patient and evaluates the results of radiographs and ultrasound. During the operation, the doctor makes an incision in the necessary together and opens the purulent cavity. At the end of the surgery, a drain is inserted. The doctor closes the incision partially. The device should stand for 5 days. At this time, pus and other fluid flows out of it. A photo of a breast abscess alarms many women, so they immediately go to the doctor if one of the symptoms of the pathology appears.
Surgeons perform aspiration in some cases. During the procedure, the specialist removes pus using a syringe. This method of treatment is used only at the initial stage of the development of a breast abscess. The operation should not frighten the patient, since it is completelyuncomplicated and safe. After surgery, it is necessary to carry out drug treatment, which is aimed at eliminating pain and relieving the inflammatory process.
Medications
With the help of "Nimesulide", "Diclofenac" and "Indomethacin" the process of therapy is carried out. If necessary, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to help fight the abscess. Tablets have a detrimental effect on harmful microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.
What are the treatment prognosis?
If you consult a doctor in time and undergo a complete medical examination, you can quickly and effectively cure a breast abscess. It is important to carefully follow all the recommendations of the doctor. It is equally important to consider the advice of a disease prevention specialist after treatment.
Preventive measures
To avoid the re-development of an abscess, it is necessary to prevent and promptly eliminate the underlying disease that caused the abscess. It is important to observe basic body hygiene. In the event that cracks appear, it is important to lubricate them with a healing cream. The composition of such a cream should contain the substance dexpanthenol. If the doctor has found mastitis, you do not need to stop breastfeeding and artificially empty the mammary glands. If a wound or damage has formed near the mammary glands, it is necessary to disinfect the skin so that harmful microorganisms and infections do not enter the body. In addition, it is importantstrengthen immunity. To do this, you need to lead a he althy lifestyle and a balanced diet, exercise and avoid stress.
Treatment with folk methods
Since an abscess is not an independent disease, it is important to cure the main disease that provoked its appearance. In frequent cases, mastopathy provokes the development of an abscess. For the treatment of breast abscess and mastopathy, alternative methods of treatment are often used. Before using any method, it is important to consult a doctor, as self-medication can be very harmful.
Aloe is the best remedy for chest pain
Often, the treatment process includes the application of a compress from the leaves of aloe vera, since this plant contains hormones that activate the action of estrogens. Thanks to ascorbic acid, which is present in the composition of the plant, metabolic processes are normalized and tissue regeneration is accelerated.
Folic acid has a positive effect on the overall he alth of a person and reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors. The plant relieves inflammation, relieves pain and relieves fever.
Cabbage will help eliminate soreness
Cabbage leaves are popular nowadays, because this vegetable contains zinc, vitamin C and phytoncides. Cabbage leaves with mastopathy block the development of malignant cells in the breast, normalize metabolic processes and relieve inflammation. Before using any treatment, it is importantconsult a doctor. To cure mastopathy, therapy must be comprehensive, so traditional methods of treatment are not enough.
Doctor's conclusion
Women need regular check-ups with a mammologist. This will help prevent the development of many diseases. As the practice of specialists shows, after opening a breast abscess, the patient quickly recovers. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of the doctor and not delay the trip to the hospital. After surgery, it is important to take precautions to prevent mastitis.
