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Breast abscess
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A breast abscess is an infection of the breast. Breast infections are sorted into two groups, depending on whether they appear while a woman is nursing, that is during breastfeeding, or outside that stage. An abscess happens in both cases, but it is far more common in someone who is nursing.
During breastfeeding the story almost always begins at the nipple. A small break in the skin acts like an open door: bacteria get in through it. And if at the same time milk stays inside the breast instead of coming out, that backup sets the problem off.
In breastfeeding, the bacteria found most often are Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci, two very common organisms.
And there is one detail that changes everything: when the abscess shows up in someone who is not nursing, breast cancer has to be ruled out, since it can cause those same signs.
In brief
A breast abscess is an infection of the breast. It is more common during breastfeeding, but it also happens outside of it.
During breastfeeding it usually starts with a break in the nipple that lets bacteria in, and it is set off when milk backs up.
An open door in the nipple while milk sits still behind it.
In breastfeeding, the most common causes are Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci.
Outside breastfeeding, breast cancer must be ruled out, since it can cause the same signs.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingBreast Abscess, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated