Abstract
Sore, cracked nipples are commonly experienced by breastfeeding mothers. We have previously reported a strong correlation between sore, cracked nipples and S. aureus colonization. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed to compare four treatment regimes for S. aureus infected sore nipples. Eighty-four breastfeeding mothers were enrolled in the study. After 5 days to 7 days of treatment, only 8% of mothers showed improvement in the "optimal breastfeeding technique alone" group, 16% improved with topical mupiricin, 29% improved with topical fusidic acid, yet 79% improved with oral antibiotics (p < .0001). Optimal breastfeeding techniques and topical antibiotics ointment failed to heal most infected, sore, cracked nipples. Mastitis developed in 12% to 35% of mothers not treated with systemic antibiotics compared to 5% of mothers treated with systemic antibiotics (p < .005). In conclusion, S. aureus infected sore, cracked nipples should be diagnosed as a potentially widespread impetigo vulgaris and treated aggressively with systemic antibiotics in order to improve healing and decrease the risk of developing mastitis due to an ascending lactiferous duct bacterial infection.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.