Breast abscess

See a GP if you have:

• a painful, red and warm breast
• a lump or swelling in your breast

These can be symptoms of a breast infection or abscess.

You may also have a high temperature and feel generally unwell.

Treatment from a GP

Your GP will refer you to hospital for treatment if they think you have a breast abscess.

They may prescribe antibiotic tablets first if they think you might only have a breast infection.

Treatment in hospital

You'll have an ultrasound scan of your breast to check for an abscess.

The pus can be drained from an 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

Your skin will be numbed before this is done. 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.

Causes of breast abscesses

A breast abscess can form if you have a breast infection (called mastitis) and it's not treated quickly.

Mastitis most often affects breastfeeding women. It can also happen in women who aren't breastfeeding, but this is less common.

Getting treatment for mastitis as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of getting an abscess.