Breast Abscess: Care Instructions

Overview

An abscess is a pocket of pus formed by infection. Breast abscesses are most common during breastfeeding. You can usually continue to breastfeed your baby in spite of a breast abscess. It will not harm your baby. If your doctor advises you to stop breastfeeding on the affected breast while it heals, you can continue breastfeeding from the healthy breast.

Sometimes antibiotics are used to treat a breast abscess. If antibiotics do not cure the abscess, it may need to be drained through a small cut (incision).

You may have had a sedative to help you relax. You may be unsteady after having sedation. It can take a few hours for the medicine's effects to wear off. Common side effects of sedation include nausea, vomiting, and feeling sleepy or tired.

The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If the doctor gave you a sedative:
  • For 24 hours, don't do anything that requires attention to detail. This includes going to work, making important decisions, and signing any legal documents. It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely wear off.
  • For your safety, do not drive or operate any machinery that could be dangerous. Wait until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly and react easily.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• If your doctor drained the abscess, you may have a tube or gauze in the abscess to allow it to continue draining. Follow your doctor's instructions on bathing and caring for the wound.
• If you are breastfeeding, continue to regularly breastfeed when your baby is hungry. If you use a breast pump, continue to pump when you need to. But avoid pumping extra. It may cause more inflammation. Your doctor may tell you to discard the milk from the affected breast until the abscess heals.
  • Try feeding from the healthy breast. Then, after your milk is flowing, breastfeed from the affected breast until it feels soft.
  • Hand-express a small amount of breast milk before breastfeeding if your breasts are too full with milk. This will make your breasts less full and may make it easier for your baby to latch on to your breast.
• Try using a cold compress on your breast to reduce pain and swelling. Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If your doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
  • Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless your doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• If pus is draining from your infected breast, wash the nipple gently and let it air-dry before you put your bra back on. A disposable breast pad placed in the bra cup will help absorb the pus.

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You passed out (lost consciousness).

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.
• You have new or worsening symptoms of breast inflammation or infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or a color change on your breast.
  • Red streaks extending from the breast.
  • Pus draining from a breast.
  • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You do not get better as expected.