Embarrassing Illnesses

How breast abscesses form

The first stage in the development of a breast abscess is inflammation of the breast tissue. This is called mastitis, and causes pain, swelling and tenderness of the breast. See the 'related articles' section for further information about mastitis.

Once infection sets in, you may have flu-like symptoms and a green, or pus-like, discharge from your nipple.

Breast infections are caused by common bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus, which is found on normal skin. The bacteria usually get into the breast through cracks, or abrasions, in your nipple, causing mastitis.

As your body's immune system tries to fight off the breast infection, some of the tissue in the local area dies. This is called necrosis. A collection of pus forms, which is surrounded by hardened and inflamed tissue that can often be felt as a lump. This is a breast abscess.

Treating small breast abscesses

An infection that develops into a breast abscess will usually need to be drained. A small abscess can be drained using a needle.

Ultrasound is sometimes used to guide the needle. A local anaesthetic may be given to numb the skin over the infected breast tissue. This procedure can often be carried out at your GP surgery.

Treating large breast abscesses

For a large breast abscess, a small incision (cut) is made in the abscess to let the pus drain out.

Before the procedure, an injection of local anaesthetic is usually given in order to numb your breast tissue. General anaesthesia is not usually needed for this treatment unless the abscess is deep.

If you can, try to continue breastfeeding. If an abscess has already formed, your GP may recommend that you use a breast pump to express the milk from the affected breast until you can resume breastfeeding. You can safely continue to breastfeed your baby from the other breast as normal.

If you have mastitis, or a breast abscess, and you are not producing breast milk, you may be sent for more tests. These include a mammogram (an X-ray of the breast) which is used to detect cysts and growths, and a biopsy, which takes a tiny sample of breast tissue for further analysis.