Experiences with
Breast abscessCheck if you have a breast abscess
Symptoms of a breast abscess may include:
- a lump or swelling in your breast
- pain in your breast, it may also feel warm or look red (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- a high temperature
- feeling generally unwell
You’re more likely to have a breast abscess if you have recently had a breast infection (mastitis) or if you’ve had a breast abscess before.
- a painful, warm or red breast
- a lump or swelling in your breast
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .
What happens at your GP appointment for a breast abscess
If the GP thinks you have a breast abscess, they will refer you to hospital for an ultrasound scan of your breast to check for an abscess.
Treatment for a breast abscess
You’ll need to go to hospital to have treatment for a breast abscess.
Treatment involves the pus being drained from the abscess with either:
- a needle – this might need to be done a few times and you may have to go back to hospital each time
- a small cut in your skin
You'll be given a local anaesthetic before the pus is drained so you do not feel any pain. You can usually go home the same day and may be given antibiotics to take at home.
The abscess should heal completely in a few days or weeks.
Continue feeding with both breasts if you can. This will not harm your baby and can help your breast heal.
Try expressing milk from your breasts with your hand or a breast pump if breastfeeding is too painful.
Causes of a breast abscess
A breast abscess can form if you have a breast infection (called mastitis) and it's not treated quickly.
You're more likely to get mastitis if you are breastfeeding. You can get it if you're not breastfeeding, but this is less common.
Getting treatment for mastitis as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of getting an abscess.
SymptomsDiagnosisMedical treatmentsCausesThe main symptom of a breast abscess is a painful lump on your breast that contains pus. It will usually feel swollen and warm.
A GP will refer you to hospital if they think you have a breast abscess. You'll have an ultrasound scan on your breast to check for an abscess.
Treatment in hospital for a breast abscess usually involves the pus being drained with a needle or a small cut to the skin.
A breast infection called mastitis can cause a breast abscess if it’s not treated quickly. It mostly affects women who are breastfeeding.
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence
