Mastitis classification

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Puerperal mastitis

Caused by the blocking of the milk ducts while the mother is lactating (see breastfeeding). It can cause painful areas on the breasts or nipples and may lead to a fever or flu-like symptoms. Except in heavy cases it is not necessary to wean a nursling because of mastitis; in fact, nursing is the most effective way to remove the blockage and alleviate the symptoms, and is not harmful to the baby. Sudden weaning can cause or exacerbate mastitis symptoms.

Mastitis can be discerned from simple blockages by the intensity of pain, heat emanating from the area, redness and fever in the mother. In some cases the fever can become severe, requiring antibiotics; ten percent of cases develop into abscesses that need to be drained surgically.

Nonpuerperal mastitis

The term Nonpuerperal mastitis describes all inflammatory lesions of the breast except inflammatory breast cancer and skin related conditions like dermatitis and foliculitis. This article includes description of mastitis as well as various kinds of mammary abscesses.

Most patients are women of reproductive age but mastitis beyond the age of 60 is not uncommon. Rarely occurs in newborn children (Mastitis neonatorum) or prepubertal children.

So called pre-pubertal mastitis can occur shortly before or during the first stages of puberty of both boys and girls with very mild symptoms and resolves without intervention.