A breast abscess is usually a complication of mastitis (inflammation of the breast). If you have been to see your GP due to mastitis, you may already have been given antibiotics, which are medicines that treat bacterial infections. If your symptoms do not improve, you should return to your GP.
If after taking antibiotics your breast is still hard, red and painful, your GP may refer you to a specialist breast unit to confirm the diagnosis of a breast abscess. Confirmation of the diagnosis is usually done using an ultrasound scan. This uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body.
If your surgeon confirms that you have a breast abscess, it can usually be successfully treated by draining it.
Small breast abscesses
A small abscess can be drained using a needle.
Ultrasound is sometimes used to guide the needle into place. During the procedure, a local anaesthetic (painkilling medication) may be used to numb the skin over the infected breast tissue.
Large breast abscesses
For larger breast abscesses, a small incision (cut) is made in the abscess to let the pus drain out.
Before the procedure, an injection of local anaesthetic will usually be given to numb your breast tissue. General anaesthetic (painkilling medication that makes you unconscious) is not usually needed for this treatment unless the abscess is deep.
Further tests
You should always visit your GP if you notice any changes to your breasts, such as lumps or a discharge (leaking fluid) from your nipples. These could be a sign of breast cancer, although in 9 out of 10 cases breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). See the Health A-Z topic about Breast lumps for more information.
If your GP is unsure about the diagnosis of a breast abscess, you may need to have further tests which could include:
- a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breasts that can help detect cysts (fluid-filled sacs) and tumours (growths)
- a biopsy, which is where a tiny sample of breast tissue is removed and sent for further analysis in a laboratory
