From the Guidelines
The typical duration of treatment for a breast abscess is 7-14 days, depending on the severity and response to treatment. Initial treatment usually involves:
- Antibiotics: A 7-14 day course of oral antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin 500 mg four times daily or cephalexin 500 mg four times daily.
- Drainage: Either by needle aspiration or incision and drainage, which may need to be repeated every 2-3 days until resolution.
- Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed. Continue breastfeeding or pumping from the affected breast to promote drainage. Apply warm compresses to the affected area for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times daily to improve blood flow and healing. If symptoms persist or worsen after 48-72 hours of treatment, reassessment is necessary. In some cases, treatment may need to be extended beyond 14 days or switched to a different antibiotic based on culture results, as suggested by the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines 1. The duration of treatment aims to fully resolve the infection and prevent recurrence. Antibiotics help eliminate the bacterial infection, while drainage removes the accumulated pus. Continuing to empty the breast regularly helps prevent milk stasis, which can contribute to abscess formation. It's essential to note that the treatment duration may vary depending on the individual case, and it's crucial to follow up with a healthcare provider to ensure the infection is fully resolved and to prevent any potential complications. In the case of recurrent abscesses, it's recommended to culture the abscess and treat with a 5- to 10-day course of an antibiotic active against the pathogen isolated, as suggested by the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Treatment Duration for Breast Abscess
The typical duration of treatment for a breast abscess can vary depending on the treatment approach and the size of the abscess.
- According to 2, the oral antibiotic treatment for breast abscesses typically lasts for 6 to 10 days.
- The study by 3 found that skin inflammation in patients with breast abscesses disappeared within 6 days after treatment with the Mammotome biopsy system.
- The treatment duration is not explicitly stated in 4, but it is mentioned that the average duration of breastfeeding was 5 months, and 40.6% of women with breast abscesses continued to breastfeed for more than 6 months.
- The study by 5 does not provide information on the typical duration of treatment for breast abscesses.
- According to 6, multiple aspiration sessions may be required for cure, but the exact duration of treatment is not specified.
Factors Affecting Treatment Duration
The size of the breast abscess can affect the treatment duration.
- The study by 3 found that the clinical outcomes in patients with an abscess size ≤ 3.5 cm was significantly better than those with an abscess size >3.5 cm.
- The study by 6 recommends surgical incision and drainage for large (>5 cm), multiloculated, or long standing abscesses, or if percutaneous drainage is unsuccessful.