Mastitis treatment

MinuteClinic providers can discuss your symptoms, health history and breast feeding with you. They can examine you, prescribe antibiotics and advise on over-the-counter treatments.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

• A bacterial infection when the nipple is cut or skin is cracked
• Not regularly or adequately removing breast milk from breasts
• Tight clothing that increases pressure on the breast and slows down milk flow

Bladder disorders and urinary tract infections can also cause pelvic pain.

To treat an infection, you might be prescribed an antibiotic. To treat clogged milk ducts, a MinuteClinic^® provider can help you with:

• Breastfeeding (which includes while on antibiotics)
• Compresses
• Over-the-counter medications
• Routine pumping to ensure that your breasts are adequately emptied

A health care provider performs a physical examination while asking about your symptoms such as:

• Do your breasts feel hot or painful?
• Does it hurt when your breasts are touched?
• What are your breastfeeding routines?

If you’re prescribed antibiotics, you should be able to see some improvements in 2 days. However, it could take days to a few weeks before your symptoms completely disappear. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, make sure you completely finish them.

If left untreated, what are the possible side effects of mastitis?

• Mastitis might recur
• Abscess or a collection of pus develops inside the breast
• Life-threatening conditions like septicemia can happen

Mastitis is not severe at first, but it can lead to serious complications without proper treatment.

If you are 18 years old or older and experiencing gynecological pelvic pain, consider booking an in-person clinic visit at your local MinuteClinic.