What should you know about mastitis in a teenager?

Mastitis can cause a tender, warm, red, or swollen area of the breast. Fever, chills, tiredness, or a painful lump may occur. In a teenager, inflammation can follow a skin break, piercing, friction, or another local irritation, but similar symptoms can have other causes. A clinician may examine the breast and nearby lymph nodes and decide whether imaging or prescription treatment is needed.

Tell a trusted adult and arrange a healthcare visit, especially if redness is spreading or pain is increasing. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid squeezing or repeatedly checking the area, and keep any irritated skin clean. A cool or warm compress may ease discomfort. Use pain medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician, and do not use someone else’s antibiotics.

Seek urgent medical advice for fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, pus, marked swelling, faintness, or feeling very unwell. Arrange follow-up if a lump or skin change remains after inflammation settles. A breast symptom is not a diagnosis by itself; examination helps identify the cause and the right treatment.

Ask what may have triggered the inflammation, whether an infection is suspected, how to care for the skin, and which changes should prompt a return visit. You can also ask how to protect privacy during the examination.