An abscess of the mammary gland is characterized by severe inflammation, which arose due to the formation in the chest of isolated cavities that are filled with pus. The mammary glands are very vulnerable to purulent inflammation, as they have several milky streams. In these streams infections spread rapidly. 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?
An 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:
- nipple cracks;
- various skin lesions;
- inflamed hair follicle.
In frequent cases, an abscess of the mammary gland proceeds in an acute form. In rare situations, it acquires a chronic form. As medical practice shows, an abscess is most often 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, which provoke the appearance of an abscess, emit:
- hematoma formation;
- surgical intervention.
A chronic form of pathology develops when infected with a fungal infection, tuberculosis or syphilis.
Who develops the disease most often?
There are several factors under the influence of which a breast abscess in women can occur. These include:
- problems with the protective function of the body;
- incomplete emptying of the mammary glands during breastfeeding;
- the formation of polyps or tumors that block the lumen of the milk ducts;
- with 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;
- Unhealthy Lifestyle;
- alcohol abuse
- the presence of a foreign body in the mammary glands (piercing is the gateway to infection).
Doctors do not recommend women to do nipple piercings, as this increases the risk of chest injury.
Location area
There are several varieties of breast abscesses, depending on the area of their localization. The following types are distinguished:
- The subareolar type develops under the nipples and areoles. This type of localization is most often found among women who breastfeed. Treatment in this case is carried out efficiently and as soon as possible.
- The intramammary type is characterized by the location in the tissues of the mammary glands.
- The 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 least likely to occur, while it is the most dangerous.
Only a qualified specialist is able to determine the type of breast abscess after a complete examination of the patient. To prevent the development of an abscess, it is important to regularly undergo a checkup 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 general well-being worsens. In frequent cases, body temperature rises to 38 degrees. The mammary glands begin to ache severely and swell in the area of localization of pus. The skin is warm and hard. During pressure, pain sensations intensify, fluid may be released from the nipples. In rare cases, blood clots are present.
If one of the symptoms of a breast abscess appears (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 lead to death. In order for the doctor to be able to accurately diagnose, 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. In this case, self-medication is not recommended, as this can greatly harm.
Mastitis or abscess: how to determine?
When abscesses occur, the symptoms are aggravated every day and the soreness intensifies. With mastitis, the pain subsides and disappears within 5 days. If the discomfort remains and your health worsens, then this indicates that a cavity filled with pus has formed. With a subareolar abscess, the nipple and paranasal space significantly increase due to the appearance of edema. Hardening is present under the areola. Unlike mastopathy, treatment of breast abscess without surgery is rare. Since an abscess is a serious complication of another disease, therapy should be carried out comprehensively.
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 a radiography of the mammary glands. Thanks to this research method, you can evaluate the shape and size of the abscess, to determine its exact location. On the apparatus, the abscess looks like a round formation with enlightenment in the center. Thanks to this feature, it can be distinguished from a dense formation, such as:
- fibroma;
- adenoma;
- malignant tumor.
Among the main advantages of radiography are:
- accuracy of the data;
- an opportunity to consider minor abscesses.
The disadvantage is that the body is irradiated.
The process of diagnosis of the mammary glands does not pass without ultrasound. Thanks to this diagnostic method, the localization of the abscess, size, shape and depth can be established. Based on the results of the ultrasound study, a specialist establishes the stage of development of pathology. In the process of ultrasound, it is impossible to see a small neoplasm.
In the event that the result of the x-ray and ultrasound turned out to be uninformative, it is necessary to conduct computed tomography. This is an ideal method for examining an abscess, since it can be used to learn about all pathological changes in tissue. Thanks to the huge expansion, microabscesses up to 0.3 mm in size can be detected. With a retro-mammary abscess, this type of diagnosis is indispensable, since you can carefully examine the abscess. It is forbidden to perform computed tomography often, as the patient is exposed and this can be harmful to health.
Disease therapy
It is important to timely treat the abscess, since the disease can progress and turn into complex forms of the course. 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.
With a chronic abscess, a breakthrough does not occur in the nearby tissues, since such an abscess is limited to capsules. As medical practice shows, 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, during the treatment of an abscess, a surgical method of treatment is used. First of all, the surgeon carefully examines the patient and evaluates the results of the radiograph and ultrasound. During the operation, the doctor makes the incision in the necessary together and opens the purulent cavity. At the end of the surgery, drainage is inserted. The doctor sutures the incision partially. The device should be 5 days. At this time, pus and other fluid flow from it. A photo of a breast abscess is alarming for many women, so they immediately consult a doctor if one of the symptoms of a pathology appears.
In some cases, surgeons perform aspiration. During the procedure, the specialist removes pus using a syringe. This method of treatment is used only at the initial stage of development of a breast abscess. The operation should not scare the patient, because it is very simple and safe. After surgery, it is necessary to carry out drug treatment, which is aimed at eliminating pain and removing the inflammatory process.
Medicines
With the help of "Nimesulide", "Diclofenac" and "Indomethacin" the treatment process is carried out. If necessary, the doctor prescribes antibiotics that help overcome the abscess. Tablets adversely affect harmful microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.
What are the treatment predictions?
If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and undergo a full medical examination, then you can quickly and effectively cure a breast abscess. It is important to carefully follow all the doctor's recommendations. It is equally important after treatment to take into account the advice of a specialist in the prevention of diseases.
Preventative 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 discovered mastitis, there is no 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 important to strengthen the immune system. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet, exercise and avoid stress.
Traditional treatment
Since an abscess is not an independent disease, it is important to cure the main disease that triggered its appearance. In frequent cases, the development of an abscess mastopathy provokes. For the treatment of breast abscess and mastopathy, traditional 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 involves the use of a compress from aloe vera leaves, since this plant contains hormones that activate the action of estrogen. Thanks to ascorbic acid, which is present in the plant, metabolic processes are normalized and tissue regeneration is accelerated.
Folic acid has a positive effect on the overall health of a person and reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors. The plant relieves inflammation, anesthetizes and relieves fever.
Cabbage will help eliminate soreness
Nowadays, cabbage leaves are popular because this vegetable contains zinc, vitamin C and volatile. Cabbage leaves during mastopathy block the development of malignant cells in the chest, normalize metabolic processes and relieve inflammation. Before using any method of treatment, it is important to consult a doctor. To cure mastopathy, therapy should be comprehensive, so alternative methods of treatment are not enough.
Doctor's conclusion
Women need to be regularly examined by a mammologist. This will help prevent the development of many diseases. As practice shows, after opening a breast abscess , the patient quickly recovers. The main thing is to follow the doctor's recommendations and not delay with going to the hospital. After surgery, it is important to follow measures to prevent mastitis.