A mother from Tay Ninh sought medical help in TP HCM for her three-month-old child, presenting with a swollen, red, and hot breast. A large, hard lump had formed, and milk flow was almost completely obstructed. Fearing milk loss, she described the pain as "worse than childbirth."

Despite seeking assistance to "unblock her milk ducts", her condition did not improve. Doctors diagnosed her with mastitis caused by blocked milk ducts, noting she was fortunate an abscess had not yet formed. Following a treatment regimen that combined therapeutic ultrasound and physical therapy, the mother's breast softened, swelling and pain subsided, and milk flow resumed. Her fever cleared, and her milk supply gradually stabilized.

On 10/8, Doctor Tran Quang Khang, Head of the Rehabilitation Department at An Sinh General Hospital, reported that the hospital sees approximately 15 to 20 cases of blocked milk ducts monthly. Many patients delay seeking medical attention until their breasts are severely swollen and painful, often having developed mastitis after several days of self-treatment.

According to Doctor Khang, blocked milk ducts cause significant pain and psychological stress for breastfeeding mothers. The fear of milk loss often prompts many mothers to try various home remedies. These include forceful massage, seeking others to apply pressure to "unblock ducts", applying hot compresses, using leaves, or even unknown medications.

Applying strong force to swollen and inflamed breast tissue can cause further damage, increasing swelling and inflammation. Doctor Khang has treated cases where breasts were bruised and severely swollen, with soft tissue and lymphatic system damage, resulting from excessive squeezing or pressing.

"Massage should only be performed gently and with proper technique", Doctor Khang advised. "Attempting to 'unblock ducts' forcefully does not improve the condition and can worsen inflammation." Some inflammatory cases can progress to abscesses, necessitating antibiotics and pus drainage. Delays in treatment risk widespread infection, potentially damaging breast tissue and impairing milk secretion.

Doctor Khang advises a patient. _Photo: Hospital provided_

Blocked milk ducts typically present as localized hard areas, tenderness to touch, slight skin redness, and reduced milk flow. When managed appropriately, symptoms often improve quickly. However, mothers must seek medical attention if the redness spreads, the breast becomes hot, severely swollen, and painful, accompanied by high fever or chills. The appearance of a soft lump suspected of containing fluid or pus warrants immediate examination, as it may indicate an an abscess. Such cases may require incision and drainage of the pus, potentially resulting in reduced or lost milk supply in the affected area, or even widespread infection.

To prevent recurrent blockages, mothers should ensure correct breastfeeding positioning, understand proper milk expression techniques, and provide appropriate breast care. Any massage performed should be gentle, specifically avoiding strong pressure on swollen and inflamed areas.

Doctor Khang emphasizes that blocked milk duct conditions vary individually, cautioning against blindly applying "word-of-mouth duct clearing" methods. A thorough examination and assessment are crucial before initiating any treatment. An Sinh General Hospital utilizes the BUM technique, which combines breast rest, multi-frequency therapeutic ultrasound, breast tissue massage, and physical therapy to alleviate engorgement and pain while improving milk drainage.

Le Phuong