From the Guidelines
Mastitis treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics and supportive measures, with the goal of alleviating symptoms and promoting healing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, mothers with mastitis are encouraged to continue breastfeeding, as regular feeding or expression of milk is an adjunct to other treatment. Antibiotics may be indicated, with approximately 10% of mastitis cases progressing to breast abscesses, which require drainage 1.
- Antibiotic treatment: A 10- to 14-day course of antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin, is commonly recommended 1.
- Supportive measures: Applying warm compresses, resting, and continuing to breastfeed or express milk can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing 1.
- Severe cases: Hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be necessary in severe cases of mastitis 1.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding can continue on the affected side as long as the infant’s mouth does not contact purulent material 1. It is essential to note that the treatment of mastitis should be individualized, taking into account the severity of the condition, the presence of any underlying medical conditions, and the patient's overall health status 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Mastitis
There are no research papers provided to assist in answering this question about the treatment options for mastitis. The studies provided are related to antibiotic therapy for various conditions such as neonatal sepsis, gram-negative bacteremia, and bloodstream infections, but do not specifically address mastitis.
Related Studies
- The studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 discuss the duration of antibiotic therapy for different conditions, but none of them mention mastitis.
- These studies compare the efficacy of shorter courses of antibiotic therapy (7-10 days) with standard courses (14 days) for various infections, but do not provide information on the treatment of mastitis.
- The findings of these studies may not be directly applicable to the treatment of mastitis, and therefore, cannot be used to inform treatment options for this condition.