From the Guidelines
The preferred antibiotic for treating mastitis is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence, however, based on the information given, cloxacillin/flucloxacillin can be considered as a potential option, as it is mentioned in the context of treating other infections, but the dose is not specified for mastitis. When considering the treatment of mastitis, it's crucial to target the most common causative organism, which is typically Staphylococcus aureus.
- The evidence provided does not directly address the treatment of mastitis with specific antibiotics and their dosages 1.
- However, in clinical practice, antibiotics such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin are often used to treat mastitis, as they effectively target Staphylococcus aureus.
- For patients with penicillin allergies, clindamycin can be an appropriate alternative.
- Treatment should begin promptly after diagnosis, and patients should continue breastfeeding or expressing milk from the affected breast to prevent milk stasis, which can worsen the infection.
- Supportive measures such as warm compresses before feeding and cold compresses after can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- If symptoms don't improve within 48 hours of antibiotic therapy, patients should seek follow-up care as this may indicate an abscess requiring drainage or a different causative organism requiring alternative antibiotics.
- Adequate hydration, rest, and pain management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen are also important supportive measures during treatment. It's essential to consult the most recent and highest quality guidelines for the treatment of mastitis, as the provided evidence does not directly address this condition 1.
From the Research
Preferred Antibiotics for Mastitis
The preferred antibiotics for treating mastitis are those effective against Staphylococcus aureus, such as:
- Dicloxacillin
- Cephalexin 2 As methicillin-resistant S. aureus becomes more common, antibiotics effective against this organism may become preferred.
Treatment Approach
Treatment of mastitis usually involves changing breastfeeding technique, often with the assistance of a lactation consultant, and may include antibiotics when necessary 2, 3.
Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic therapy may be prescribed to cover common skin flora, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, if symptoms do not improve with conservative measures 3.
Specific Considerations
There is insufficient evidence to confirm or refute the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for the treatment of lactational mastitis, highlighting the need for high-quality, double-blinded randomized controlled trials 4.
Prevention
The best prevention of mastitis is a proper lactation technique, including a good infant latch, and encouraging physiologic breastfeeding rather than pumping, if possible 3.