Mastitis refers to an inflammation of the mammary gland, which can be of two types: Acute or chronic (of tubercular origin).
Within the acute mastitis, there is that of the newborn, that of adolescents and the most common that occurs during lactation.
Many mothers, when breastfeeding, suffer from small cuts or skin abrasions around the delicate skin of the nipple, caused by their babies sucking forcefully on breast milk.
These wounds allow normal bacteria that live on the skin (staph) penetrate the fatty tissue of the breast and proliferate, thus producing inflammation that compresses the milk outlet ducts of the breast.
The first symptom of mastitis is a feeling of weight in the breast, followed by pain. When the affected sinus is palpated, a deep hardened mass is perceived, which progressively increases in size and, consequently, comes more to the surface.
Over time, this mass softens, the skin reddens, becomes tense and hot, and a more or less high fever occurs. If the infection is not treated, the pus accumulated in the breast will work its way to the outside, ulcerating the skin or coming out of the nipple. It is important to note that the following remedies apply when mastitis is in its early stages.
folk remedies
Remedy for mastitis #1 Boil a cup of milk for 10 minutes and add three mullein leaves. Remove the leaves and apply warm on the affected areas to facilitate the flow of milk
Remedy for mastitis #2 Wash a cabbage leaf and mash without the central nerve. Then apply on the affected area.
Remedy for mastitis #3 Boil 1 tablespoon of thyme flowers in a cup of water for 5 minutes. Cover and let cool. Apply using clean cotton cloths on the affected area.
Remedy for mastitis #4 Boil for 5 minutes 1 tablespoon of dried fenugreek or fenugreek leaves. Make washes with this infusion in the area with mastitis.
Remedy for mastitis #5 Boil, for 5 minutes, 1 tablespoon of calendula and another of chopped fennel in a cup of water. Cover and let cool. Dip a cotton ball with this infusion and apply to the affected nipple several times a day.
Remedy for mastitis #6 Wash, chop and mash a carrot until you get a smooth paste. Place, as a poultice, on the affected nipple
Remedy for mastitis #7 Boil the following herbs, from Chinese herbal medicine, in three bowls of water until reduced to one. Pugongying (1 liang): Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. (dandelion), Jinyinhua (1 liang): Lonicera japonica Thumb. (honeysuckle), Gualou (complete, 5 qian): Trichosantes kirilowii Maxim and Mutong (5 qian): Akebia trifoliata (Thumb.) Koidz (fruit). The decoction is administered orally. This remedy helps reduce inflammation and open the mammary ducts:
Remedy for mastitis # 8: Apply fresh and crushed leaves of chervil, as a poultice, on the affected sinus.
Remedy for mastitis # 9: Use Ferrum phosphoricum, Natrum phosphoricum and calcarea fluorica from Schüssler’s salts.
Remedy for mastitis #10: Pour a teaspoon of Phytolacca (homeopathic remedy) in a cup of water and boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Drink 3 times a day.
Remedy for mastitis # 11: Make brush strokes on the breasts with the balm of copaiba.
Remedy for mastitis # 12: Apply, on the affected area, a poultice made from a handful of crushed fresh leaves of purslane.
recommendations
Extract milk from the breast Some doctors advise women not to breastfeed for a few days to speed up their healing. In this case, an extractor or your own hands can be used to remove the milk and prevent the breast from becoming saturated.
If the breast is very congested and little milk comes out, it is recommended to apply hot compresses and then massage with gentle pressure in the direction of the nipple, which will open the ducts, the milk will flow easily and the mastitis will be relieved.
In any case, mastitis is not dangerous for the child because if the baby ingests any bacteria with the milk, it will be eliminated by the gastric juices without causing harm.
In case of continuing to breastfeed the baby, make sure that it is positioned correctly on the breast (give the affected breast first to decongest).
Do not wear clothes that compress the chest, especially bras. These are preferred to be made of pure cotton, not nylon, and, in addition, the opening for nursing must be large enough. In this regard, a bra one size larger than the one you wore for pregnancy is recommended.
Avoid using alcohol pads which, although they refresh, absorb too much oil from the skin and make it even more sensitive
Follow adequate hygiene and care measures for the nipple. Before and after breastfeeding, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the nipple and the areola that surrounds it with boiled water, paying special attention to possible cracks or erosions due to the child’s sucking; if there are any, extreme precautions must be taken. The appearance of cracks in the nipple does not contraindicate breastfeeding, but if the baby has been breastfeeding for a long time, you should start thinking about removing it.
Go to the doctor If the mastitis does not improve, administer an antibiotic compatible with lactation.
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