In more severe cases of infectious mastitis, an abscess can develop in the breast. An abscess is a pus-filled space that can appear on the skin or inside the body.
Symptoms of an abscess include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- a very painful, swollen lump in your breast
- your breast may be red and feel hot
The abscess can be treated by draining the pus out of your breast. See the Health A-Z topic about Breast abscesses for more information about the condition.
One study found that three out of 100 women who were treated with antibiotics (medication to treat infections that are caused by bacteria) for mastitis developed an abscess. Some different research estimated that of the women who develop an abscess, one in 10 may be unable to breastfeed again.
Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and some are good for you.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines that can be used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, usually bacteria or fungi.
