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Conditions

Breast Abcess

Breast abcesses can be painful

Similar to abscesses that form in other areas of the body, a breast abscess can be very painful. They mainly affect women aged 18-50 and are common among those who are breastfeeding, as the nipples can become cracked, allowing bacteria to enter that can cause infection. The inflammation of the breast tissue – called mastitis – is the first stage in the development of an abscess, which has symptoms such as redness, tenderness, and painful localised swelling of the affected breast, which may also feel hot. The infection targets the fatty tissue of the breast, causing swelling just outside the milk ducts, which leads to more discomfort, such as itching, breast lump, green or pus-like nipple discharge, as well as the enlargement of the affected breast. Small abscesses can be drained with a syringe, but larger ones will require a small incision under local anaesthetic. Early treatment and a course of oral antibiotics is the best way to prevent an abscess from developing.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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im 18 and for the last couple of weeks my nipples keep leaking a cloudy sort of liquid and im not pregnant for definate, they dont leak all the time just when i squeeze the nipple, but alot seems to come out, can you help me?

hi im 31 ive been having breast abbcess since jan 200 ive had sevral coures of antbiotics ive had it drained twice all so ive had a op 2 and nothing is helping i nw have 2 in my rite breast and all i seem 2 get of my doc is tablets it hurts like mad its made my live on hold plz help me plz

im 14and kinda scared
i really dont know what to do because im too embarrised to tell my docter or dad (dont have a mum) ive been getting really smallspots around my nipple and dont really know what they are. they are really small but there are lots of them around both nipples they arn't painfull or red and sort of look like the ones on the picture
i just want to know if its serious or if im just being silly
pleae help

hi i am 51 and have suffered breast abbsess for 9 year i have had my milk ducts removed but still getting real smelly discharge and absess still the smell is constant like off milk cheesie smell can you give some advise thankyou

im 16 my breasts are size 34/ff they are big but they are very droopy,they have about two inch gap were i should have cleavage.they have dont have round shape to them at all.they are very flat.there making me really upset and down.my boyfriend doesnt even find them attractive.i need help i hate them

hello i have been suffering from sore breasts and scabs on my nipples for about 12 months, my gp has treated me for a skin condition. I have been prescribed 4 different steroid creams, but non of these have solved the problem.

could you please suggest a treatment that will help me to get rid of the problem, thank you

Hello, I'm 14, i'm a 34C and my boobs are really worrying me.
One is bigger than the other, which i've heard is quite common – but never the less… Still embarrassing.
Also, my nipples change size. One's often bigger thsan the other, then when i look later they're both the same size, but not always the same size as last time. They get bigger & smaller.
And finally, my boobs are quite pointy. They're not round like the ones you see EVERYWHERE. But again, this tends to change, sometimes its really noticeable and others not so much. Sometimes they are quite round, well – more round than pointy anyway.
Obviously when i've got a bra on it doesnt matter, but when i haven't its really embarrassing.
I havent got to the stage where i undress infront of my boyfriend but i'm scared to do so when the time comes because of the above problems.
Please just re-assure me or tell me whats wrong as i am REALLY embarressed.
Thankyou.

hi, i have like a mole on my left breast,should i be concerned about it?

Im 16 and i have a lump in my right breast. i think ive had it for almost a year but it doesnt cause me any pain or discomfort. it has grown in size probably about 2cm big but is moveable in the breats. i dont think its cancerous but im just a bit worried about what it can be. do you know what it is? thanks

hey im 14 and i havent started my period yet and my breast arent produsing like every other girls are..
i get realy embaresd when my friends start tlking about how theyv just had a grothspert and had to go shopping for new bra's..this makes me realy upset and makes me feal left out..

do u hav any advise and i can take on how i can help to make my breast grow bigger?
and by the way im a size six in tops and not tht tall about the right size and hav been told that im realy skinny..

pllease help its starting to rouin my soshel life as i cant wear serten tops beacause of my small breasts




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