Adolescent girls, being in their puberty phase, generally possess strong physical resistance. However, surveys indicate some develop mastitis—a condition typically associated with lactating women that significantly impacts their health. So, what causes mastitis? How should patients manage their diet and care? Read on to find out. What causes mastitis in adolescent girls?
Factors such as improper sleeping positions compressing the breasts, physical activities causing breast trauma, poor nipple hygiene, friction or scratches, overly tight bras restricting breast development, unclean undergarments, inverted nipples, or nipple abscesses can all reduce local immunity, impair blood circulation, and cause congestion.This creates favorable conditions for bacterial proliferation and mastitis development.
In some unmarried young women, inflammation in other body areas—such as chronic tonsillitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, or sinusitis—can spread via the bloodstream or lymphatic system to the mammary glands, leading to mastitis.
How should mastitis patients adjust their diet?
First, lactating women with mastitis should maintain a light diet, consuming easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods. Leafy greens and fruits are essential, along with ample water intake to ensure regular bowel movements and reduce pelvic congestion. Special attention to warmth is crucial during lactation; appetizing, easily digestible foods like dates, noodles, and barley congee are recommended.
Second, avoid cold foods during lactation. Fruits to limit include cold-natured varieties like oranges, peaches, and cherries.
Finally, near the end of lactation, refrain from consuming spicy or cold foods if mastitis persists.
Dietary Therapy for Mastitis
① 250g fresh dandelion, decocted and taken orally. ② 15–20 whole plants of fine-leaved polygala, decocted and taken orally.④ 9g each of dandelion and wild chrysanthemum, decocted and taken daily.Decoct in water, take one dose daily.
⑥ Five-Ingredient Detoxifying Decoction: 30g each of honeysuckle, dandelion, and violets; 15g each of forsythia, wild chrysanthemum, indigo root, and red peony root. Decoct in water, take one dose daily. This formula primarily clears heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling, disperses nodules, and promotes blood circulation to remove stasis. It is an effective prescription for controlling systemic toxic symptoms.
⑦ Ulcer Decoction: 9g each of Pangolin Scale, Soapberry Thorns, Angelica Root Tip, Tianhuafen, and Dried Tangerine Peel; 6g each of Frankincense and Myrrh; 30g each of Honeysuckle Flower, Red Peony Root, and Dandelion. Decoct in water, take one dose daily. This formula promotes blood circulation to remove stasis, clears heat and detoxifies, and reduces swelling while softening hardened masses.
⑧ Honeysuckle, Dandelion, and Trichosanthes fruit each 30g; Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Sanguisorba root, and Green Tangerine Peel each 15g; Soapberry thorns, Red Peony root, and Luffa fiber each 30g. Decoct in water, take one dose daily.
⑨ One whole Trichosanthes fruit (100–200g), decocted in water. Apply the warm residue directly to the affected area.
⑩ 30g Burdock leaves, decocted as a tea substitute, one dose daily. For the milk stasis phase.