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Female Breast
Female Breast
Breast infection
Breast infection
Normal female breast anatomy
Normal female breast anatomy
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Breast infection

Definition:
This infection is located in the tissue of the breast. In most cases, bacteria entered the tissue through cracks in the nipples.

Alternative Names:
Mastitis; Infection - breast tissue; Breast abscess

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Breast infections are usually caused by a common bacteria found on normal skin (Staphylococcus aureus). The bacteria enter through a break or crack in the skin, usually the nipple.

The infection then takes place in the parenchymal (fatty) tissue and causes swelling of the parenchymal tissue outside the milk ducts. This swelling compresses on the milk ducts, and the result is pain and swelling of the infected breast.

Breast infections usually occur in women who are breast-feeding. Breast infections that are not related to breast-feeding must be differentiated from a rare form of breast cancer.



Review Date: 2/7/2002
Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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