Does mastitis cause breast pain?

Mastitis is inflammation in breast tissue. Pain may be aching, throbbing or sensitive to touch, and it can affect one area or much of the breast. The skin may feel warmer than the surrounding skin. Some people also feel unwell, tired or feverish. Breast pain can have other causes, so this symptom alone cannot identify mastitis.

Rest, drink fluids and continue feeding or expressing milk if you are able and it is comfortable. Check that your baby is well positioned and avoid tight clothing or firm massage over the sore area. A cool pack wrapped in cloth may ease swelling. A clinician or pharmacist can advise whether a pain reliever is suitable for you, especially after birth or while breastfeeding.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if pain is severe, a red or swollen area is spreading, you feel increasingly unwell, or symptoms do not start improving with supportive care. Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, trouble breathing or feeling seriously ill. A persistent lump or change should also be examined.

Ask whether your symptoms fit mastitis, whether an examination is needed, and which medicines are compatible with breastfeeding. You can also ask how to feed or express comfortably and what improvement to expect.