Mastitis is when your breast becomes red, hot and painful.
It's most common in breastfeeding women, but women who are not breastfeeding and men can also get it.
Check if you have mastitis
Mastitis usually only affects 1 breast, and symptoms often come on quickly. They include:
- a red, swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch
- a wedge-shaped breast lump or a hard area on your breast
- a burning pain in your breast that might be constant or only when you breastfeed
- nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood
You may also get flu-like symptoms, such as aches, a high temperature, chills and tiredness.
Things you can do
Do
- soak a cloth in warm water and place it on your breast to help relieve the pain – a warm shower or bath may also help
- rest and drink lots of fluids
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce any pain or fever
- if you are breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed
- start feeds with the sore breast first
- express milk from your breast in between feeds
- massage your breast to clear any blockages – stroke from the lumpy or sore area towards your nipple to help the milk flow
Don't
- do not wear tight-fitting clothing or bras until you feel better
- do not take aspirin
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you do not feel better within 24 hours despite continuing to breastfeed
- you get mastitis and you are not breastfeeding
- your symptoms do not get any better 48 hours after taking antibiotics
Treatment for mastitis from a GP
A GP will usually prescribe antibiotics.
If you're breastfeeding a very small amount of the antibiotic may go into your breast milk. There is no risk to your baby, but it might make them irritable and restless.
What to do if mastitis comes back
If you are breastfeeding and keep getting mastitis, it might be due to problems with positioning and attaching.
If you have any breastfeeding problems, it's important to ask for help from a midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible.
You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm, daily)
Causes of mastitis
Mastitis is common in breastfeeding women as it can be caused by a build-up of milk.
Women who are not breastfeeding can also get mastitis, as can men. This can happen due to:
- smoking – toxins found in tobacco can damage breast tissue
- damage to the nipple, such as a piercing or skin condition like eczema
- you have a breast implant
- having a weak immune system due to a health condition like diabetes
- shaving or plucking hairs from around your nipples
Page last reviewed: 29 October 2019
Next review due: 29 October 2022