Breast Abscess Treatment: From Antibiotics to Surgery

Finding a lump in your breast can be terrifying, but if it’s an abscess, it is highly treatable. Breast abscess treatment depends on the severity and stage of the infection.

#1. Antibiotics

In the very early stages, when the area is just red and hard (mastitis) but pus hasn’t fully formed, a course of antibiotics might be enough to clear the infection.

#2. Needle Aspiration (Drainage)

Once pus has formed, it must be removed. Antibiotics alone cannot penetrate a pocket of pus effectively.

• The Preferred Method: Ultrasound-guided drainage is the modern standard of care. It utilizes ultrasound to ensure the needle reaches the correct spot.
• It is less invasive than surgery and leaves no scar.

#3. Surgical Incision and Drainage

Traditionally, doctors would cut open the breast to drain the pus.

• When is it needed? Today, this is reserved for very severe cases where the skin has thinned out significantly or if the abscess is extremely large and neglected.
• Downsides: It requires wound dressing for weeks and leaves a permanent scar.

#4. Supportive Care

Alongside medical treatment, home remedies can help manage pain and speed up recovery.

• Warm compresses.
• Pain relievers (analgesics).
• Continued breastfeeding (or pumping) to keep milk flowing.

[!IMPORTANT] Do not try to squeeze or pop a breast abscess yourself. This can spread the infection and cause serious complications.

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