*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Mastitis

Mastitis is when your breast becomes swollen, hot and painful.

It is most common in breastfeeding women and does not usually need medical treatment.

Check if you have mastitis

Mastitis usually only affects 1 breast, and symptoms often come on quickly. They include:

a swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch - the area may become red but this can be harder to see if you have black or brown skin
a wedge-shaped breast lump or a hard area on your breast
a burning pain in your breast that might be constant or only when you breastfeed
nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood

You may also get flu-like symptoms, such as aches, a high temperature, chills and tiredness.

Things you can do to ease mastitis

Do

if you are breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed your baby when they want and for as long as they want. You can also offer your baby a breastfeed if your breasts are uncomfortably full
when breastfeeding make sure your baby is positioned and attached properly. Your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist can advise you.
a cloth soaked in warm water and applied to the breast (or a shower or bath) may improve milk flow
breast pain may be soothed using a cold compress (for example a cloth soaked in cold water)
rest and drink lots of fluids
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce any pain or high temperature

Don't

do not wear tight-fitting clothing or bras until you feel better
do not take aspirin
do not express more milk than your baby needs
do not apply firm pressure to the breast - any pressure should be gentle
do not stop breastfeeding suddenly - find out how to stop breastfeeding
do not apply oils, soaks or creams to your breast

See a GP if:

your symptoms do not get better 12 to 24 hours after treating it at home
your symptoms do not get better 48 hours after taking antibiotics
you get mastitis and you are not breastfeeding

Treatment for mastitis from a GP

A GP will usually prescribe antibiotics if you have mastitis and your symptoms are not getting better.

If you're breastfeeding a very small amount of the antibiotic may go into your breast milk. There is no risk to your baby, but it might make them irritable and restless.

What to do if mastitis comes back

If you are breastfeeding and keep getting mastitis, it might be due to problems with positioning and attaching.

If you have any breastfeeding problems, it's important to ask for help from a midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible.

You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm, daily)

Causes of mastitis

Mastitis is common in breastfeeding women as it can be caused by a build-up of milk.

Women who are not breastfeeding can also get mastitis, as can men. This can be caused by:

smoking - toxins found in tobacco can damage breast tissue
damage to the nipple, such as a piercing or skin condition such as eczema
having a breast implant
having a weakened immune system due to a health condition such as diabetes
shaving or plucking hairs from around your nipples

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.