Breast infections are usually caused by bacteria. Rarely, breast infections lead to a breast abscess (a collection of pus in the breast).
Mastitis refers to painful inflammation of the breast, which is usually accompanied by a breast infection and most commonly occurs in breastfeeding women.
Breast abscesses are less common than breast infections. An abscess may develop if a breast infection is not treated.
This illustration shows an abscess in the breast (right) and inflammation (bottom of breast).
Image Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media. All rights reserved.
Doctors usually drain (aspirate) an abscess with a needle. Ultrasound is used to guide placement of the needle. Sometimes doctors need to make an incision to drain the abscess.
Usually, women are also treated with antibiotics.
