Assistant Professor at Raghuveer Institute of Nursing & Paramedical science. LALGANJ RAEBARELI

1. Raghuveer institute
Lecturer-
Mr.mahendrakumar
Medical surgical nursing-ii
BREAST ABSCESS

2. BREAST ABSCESS
DEFINITION:
Sometimes a bacterial infection can cause pus to
collect in a localised area just below the skin. When
a pocket of this pus forms in the breast it is known
as a breast abscess. It can be painful and requires
urgent medical treatment to avoid complications.

3. ETIOLOGY /CAUSES
 Breast abscess is caused by a bacterial infection. The most
common type of bacteria involved in a breast abscess is
Staphylococcus aureus. Bacteria enter through a scratch in
the skin or a tear in the nipple. The resulting infection, called
mastitis, invades the fatty tissue of the breast and leads to
swelling and pressure on the milk ducts.
If you are breastfeeding, you may be able to lower your risk of
breast abscess by:
 Preventing irritation or cracking of the nipples
If you are not breastfeeding, you may be able to lower your risk
of breast abscess by:
 Avoiding use of tobacco products smoking,Diabetes, HIV
infection.
 Maintaining a healthy weight
 Preventing irritation or cracking of the breast skin and nipples

4. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
The most common symptoms of breast
abscess include:
 Breast engorgement (swelling)
 Breast pain
 Itching
 Nipple discharge
 Nipple tenderness
 Swelling, warmth and redness of the breast
tissue
 Tender or enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit
on the affected side.

6. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
 History collection
 Physical examination
 Chest x-ray
 . Breast Biopsy.
FNAB(Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy)
 Breast MRI(Megnatic Resoance imaging)
Scan.
 Mammogram.

7. MANAGEMENT
 Provide antibiotic therapy for 7-10 days
 Broad-spectrum antibiotic medications used
to treat breast abscess include:
 Cephalosporins, such as cefazolin (Cefazil)
or cephalexin (Keflex)
 Erythromycin (E-mycin, E.E.S.)
 Penicillin's, such as penicillin G potassium.

8. NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Provide psychological support to the patient
 Provide adequate nutrition to the patient
 Provide health education to the patient .

9. PREVENTION METHODS
 Do not breast feed with the infected breast if abscess present.
 Keep the breasts clean by washing them daily with mild soap
and water. Wipe off driead secretions and gently dry the breast
throughly with clean towel.
 After breast feeding , wipe the nipples and areolae with
sterilised cotton dipped in boiled ,cooled water.
 At end of a feed, allow breasts to dry naturally in the air.
 Apply lanolin cream daily to the nipples and areolae to prevent
them for cracking.
 Apply a warm, moist compress to the affected area several
times a day.

10. THE POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF BREAST ABSCESS
 Chronic infection
 Chronic pain
 Disfigurement and scarring
 Organ failure
 Sepsis (life-threatening bacterial blood
infection).