What is the primary treatment for infectious mastitis?

The primary treatment for infectious mastitis focuses on alleviating symptoms while addressing the underlying infection, making warm compresses, continuing to pump or nurse, and administering anti-staphylococcal antibiotics the most effective approach.

Warm compresses help reduce pain and swelling, promoting better blood flow to the area, which can facilitate healing. Continuing to pump or nurse is crucial as it helps to clear out the infected milk and prevents the accumulation of fluid, which can exacerbate the infection. The use of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics is essential to target the bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, which is often responsible for mastitis infections. This combination of supportive care and targeted antibiotic treatment is aimed at effectively managing the infection and facilitating recovery.

Other options, such as ice packs and tight-fitting bras, provide comfort but do not address the infection itself. Relying solely on analgesics may alleviate pain but fails to treat the infection. Hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics might be necessary in severe cases or when oral antibiotics are ineffective; however, it is not the primary management approach for most cases of infectious mastitis, which can typically be treated on an outpatient basis with the appropriate regimen.